WASHINGTON COUNCIL OF LAWYERS

DC Pro Bono Week 2022 officially kicks off with Pro Bono Goes Local on Monday, October 24, from 9:30-10:30 am ET via Zoom. This launch event will feature a panel of inspiring legal services attorneys who will provide valuable updates on community legal needs and identify specific ways pro bono attorneys can get involved. Then, we will hear from Chief Judge Blackburne-Rigsby from the D.C. Court of Appeals, and Chief Judge Josey-Herring from the Superior Court for the District of Columbia. Don't miss the chance to find out about the most pressing pro bono needs of the day. Our lightning round experts will give updates about these important pro bono practice areas: domestic violence, family law, immigration, consumer issues, public benefits, housing, and criminal record sealing. We'll hear from: Faiza Majeed, Legal Aid Society of the District of Columbia (Housing) Erin Scheick, Bread for the City (Domestic Violence) Tina Nelson, Legal Counsel for the Elderly (District Elders) Bradford Voegeli, Neighborhood Legal Services Program (Criminal Record Sealing) Crystal Fleming, Kids in Need of Defense (Immigration) Join us for the kickoff of our week-long celebration of pro bono! We'll share a wealth of information on the hot topics in pro bono and give you a chance to connect with great pro bono opportunities! Pro Bono Goes Local is free to attend, but advance registration is required. Spread the word! Invite a friend! #DCPBW22

Hosted by Mother's Outreach Network Mother's Outreach Network is hosting a community-based tax workshop followed by a brief advice clinic that will inform D.C. parents and caregivers about their eligibility for refundable tax credits. In partnership with pro bono attorneys, we will aid families in claiming their rightful tax credits to increase their family income and overall well-being. We are seeking attorneys, paralegals, and law students to provide advice and guidance to parents through one-on-one clinic appointments following the parents' tax workshop information session. A tax law background is not required to volunteer! Parents' Tax Workshop will take place on Tuesday, October 18 at 11:00 am ET at the Southwest Family Enhancement Center, 203 N Street, SW. Volunteers are required to attend a virtual training on Tuesday, October 11 at 7:00 pm ET. Register for the training here.

Hosted by D.C. Environment and Energy Associations (DCEEA) Please join the Washington Council of Lawyers and members of the D.C. Environment and Energy Associations (DCEEA) for a pro bono week panel to discuss ways to get involved in environmental and climate change initiatives. With so much attention being given to climate change, you may be wondering how you can get involved in grass-roots and pro bono efforts. Our panel of experts will discuss ways to get involved in various aspects of pro bono work from litigation, to advocacy, to hands-on non-legal volunteer opportunities. Attendees will leave with tangible ideas and ways to get involved. Our discussion will be led by: Abbey Doyno, Executive Director, Green Pro Bono William Halnon, Staff Attorney, Outreach & Engagement Coordinator, Chesapeake Legal Alliance Christine Appah, Adjunct Professor of Law, Environmental Justice, Cardozo School of Law Ariel Solaski, Staff Litigation Attorney with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation will moderate the discussion. Join the conversation on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook using #DCPBW22!

Hosted by DC Refers This presentation will address ethical implications associated with representing individuals of limited means at a reduced fee. Offering affordable legal representation to people of modest means helps to satisfy a tremendous unmet need in the District of Columbia and many other cities around the country. Topics to be addressed include (i) how the DC Rules of Professional Conduct recognize low bono representation as fulfilling public service obligations under Rule 6.1, (ii) using limited scope representations to serve the needs of low bono clients and lawyers alike, (iii) how applicable ethics authorities permit lawyers to work with non-profit organizations to find clients in need of representation at reduced rates and more. Our speaker will be Charlie Lemley, DC Refers Board Chair, Adjunct Professor of Professional Responsibility at George Mason University, Antonin Scalia Law School, and Senior Counsel at Wiley LLP. Charlie has years of experience in professional liability and insurance coverage litigation, legal ethics, and issues related to legal diversity. He primarily represents insurance carriers and lawyers in insurance coverage and legal malpractice cases at the trial and appellate levels. He has written numerous articles and presentations on a variety of professional liability and legal ethics topics including third-party claims against lawyers. He recently served as Chair of the District of Columbia Bar’s working group on limited scope legal representation. This program will be choc full of useful and practical information but is not approved for CLE or ethics credits in any jurisdiction. Come and learn! Then join the discussion on social media using #DCPBW22!

A successful trial strategy includes careful planning from the moment you take a case - even if you think it will never get to court. Good case preparation is the key to good advocacy. In this session of our Litigation Skills series, we will explore how to evaluate a case, determine trial strategy, organize the theme of the case, plan for discovery and document review, evaluate witnesses, and make trial decisions during trial. Our discussion will be led by Matthew Edwards, Partner at Ain & Bank. Matthew focuses on high-stakes matrimonial cases involving complex financial arrangements, family-owned or closely held businesses, and complex custody matters. He volunteers as a family law mentor for the D.C. Bar Advice & Referral Clinic and when necessary is a tenacious courtroom advocate at the trial court and appellate levels. This Litigation Skills Series session is free to attend, but registration is required, and donations are encouraged to support our programs! Grab a colleague and reserve your spot today.