That's a wrap on DC Pro Bono Week 2022! We hope more than a week's worth of events, clinics, trainings, and more reinvigorated your commitment to pro bono service. Take your cue from these dedicated advocates and show up for your neighbors in need.
DC Pro Bono Week official;y kicked off with Pro Bono Goes Local! Our panelists began with a lightning round covering where the need for pro bono attorneys exists within our community by highlighting the nuances of our community, statistics that drive their work, and where they see the gaps in justice for District neighbors.
Network for Victim Recovery of DC (NVRDC) is proud to celebrate the dedication and commitment of our Board Chair, Liam Montgomery. Liam, an eleven-year veteran of United States Naval Aviation and a partner at Williams & Connolly LLP, has been a passionate advocate for survivors of crime, veterans, and numerous other pro bono causes. His leadership in pro bono work is an inspiration to others at his firm and throughout our DC community.
Following the end of D.C.’s eviction moratorium, many residents were worried about falling behind on their rent and the looming threat of losing their homes. When the DC Office of the Attorney General planned pop-up clinics to help residents access emergency federal funding for housing and utility expenses, dozens of Georgetown students – including a Black Law Students Association contingent that made this a group pro bono project – joined the efforts.
Maya Angelou profoundly said, “If you’re going to live, leave a legacy. Make a mark on the world that can’t be erased.” I am reminded of this quote when I reflect on Mary Gately’s profound service and deep commitment to the pro bono work she performs as DC Affordable Law Firm’s Litigation Director, a role she performs entirely on a pro bono basis. Across the past three years, Mary’s work with and on behalf of DC Affordable Law Firm’s clients soared to unprecedented levels, leading to exceptional legal outcomes for dozens of DC Affordable Law Firm’s low- and modest-income clients while synchronously shaping and inspiring the careers of the next generation of public interest attorneys.
Our annual awards ceremony gives us a chance to recognize lawyers and organizations who make exceptional contributions to the pro bono and public-interest community. At this year’s ceremony, we will recognize the recipients of these awards: Presidents Award for Public Service Karen Newton Cole Neighborhood Legal Services Program Government Pro Bono Award Tracy Suhr U.S. Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration Law Firm Award Latham & Watkins LLP Legal Services Award Kristin Eliason Network for Victim Recovery DC Join us for a celebratory evening of delicious food & drink, inspiring community connections, and the chance to celebrate our local pro bono and public-interest advocates who work tirelessly to increase access to justice! SILENT AUCTION! You can also support our mission of ensuring our justice system treats everyone fairly, regardless of money, position, or power through our silent auction. Bidding is open now and closes on Friday, December 2nd. Treat your loved ones (or yourself) with fabulous items sure to bring holiday cheer! We hope you will Bid Early and Often! Tickets are now on sale. You can also honor this year's award recipients by sponsoring the Awards Ceremony. For more information, please contact our Executive Director, Christina Jackson, at cjackson@wclawyers.org or 202-451-8129. THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS! We are grateful for the support of these generous sponsors who make possible all we do. Champion Arnold & Porter Compass Lexecon Kirkland & Ellis Trailblazer Latham & Watkins Benefactor Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman Defender Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld Buckley Covington & Burling DLA Piper Fried Frank Harris Shriver & Jacobson Hogan Lovells Morgan Lewis & Bockius Sidley Austin Steptoe Foundation TM Financial Forensics Zuckerman Spaeder Pioneer Alix Partners ArentFox Schiff Cleary Gottlieb Cooley Crowell & Moring Dechert Relman Colfax Wiley If you would like to become a sponsor, please contact our Executive Director, Christina Jackson, at cjackson@wclawyers.org or 202-451-8129.
It is inspiring to speak with Mariah Hines, an associate in Sidley Austin’s Healthcare group, about the quantity, variety, and impact of her many pro bono engagements. Her pro bono matters span across practice areas including disability benefits, immigration, housing discrimination, and more. Even more impressive is that Mariah has done so much to help others so early in her legal career, having graduated from Georgetown University Law Center in 2020.
Rwanda Campbell has dedicated her life to connecting passion with purpose. Throughout her decade-long career at Arnold & Porter, Rwanda has exemplified a core value of its pro bono program - advocating tirelessly for equitable access to justice.
How has the pandemic changed clinics, workshops, and other one-time service opportunities for legal services providers and volunteers? Join us for a candid discussion of the costs and benefits of these limited-scope pro bono opportunities. We'll hear from organizers and participants about what worked remotely, what did not, and where we go from here post-pandemic. Our discussion will be led by: Erin M. Mee, Pro Bono Coordinating Attorney, National Veterans Legal Services Program Lance Conklin, Chair, AILA DC Chapter Pro Bono Committee Catalina Martinez, Attorney Advisor, U.S. Small Business Administration Paul Lee, Pro Bono Counsel, Steptoe & Johnson And our discussion will be moderated by Andrea Mangones, Director, Legal Training & Technical Assistance, KIND. We're so excited to be back in person we've set aside some additional time to get reacquainted and meet all the new members of our pro bono community. Bring your ideas and your lunch. Cookies and drinks will be provided thanks to the generosity of our host Fried Frank.
Join us in welcoming Chris Marin as our new Program Director. Chris is a recent graduate of the American University, Washington College of Law, where they cultivated a passion for access to justice and finding innovative connections between legal professionals to advance the work of pro bono and the public-interest community.
Hosted by the D.C. Superior Court Pro Bono and Affordable Counsel Committee, Legal Aid Society of the District of Columbia, and NVRDC Have you ever been to the D.C. Superior Court? Have you met a D.C. Superior Court Judge? Do you want to help litigants of limited means in cases involving eviction, domestic violence, or domestic relations? Join us for the D.C. Superior Court Open House where representatives from legal services organizations will lead tours in some of the Court’s high-volume branches. You will have an opportunity to observe court proceedings, speak with Superior Court Judges, and learn how you can help expand access to justice and improve the everyday lives of individuals and families in our community. You can choose to tour the Domestic Violence Division, Domestic Relations Branch, or Landlord and Tenant Branch at registration. Please note masks are required at all times inside the courthouse. You will need to bring a government-issued ID to enter the building. We look forward to welcoming you! And join the conversation on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook using #DCPBW22!
Despite being a solo practitioner, a recent law school graduate, and living on the other side of the country – Tamber Hilton has been a committed and powerful advocate on behalf of immigrant children in the DMV.
On an early morning in January 2021, two women judges in Afghanistan were assassinated in their car on their way to court. The other women judges, many of whom had tried or sentenced Taliban members, soon realized they were in serious danger and sought help from the International Association of Women Judges (IAWJ). That May, the IAWJ formed an Afghan Women Judges Support Committee which included leaders from New Zealand, the US, Australia, Canada, Spain, and the UK. The Support Committee began exploring ways to support its sister judges in peril. As Taliban control expanded and the Afghan government began to collapse, not only were the women judges stripped of their ability to practice their profession, but they began receiving threats, warning letters, and visits to their homes demonstrating that their lives were at risk. Family members were abducted and beaten. By late summer, as the fall of Kabul approached and danger to the women judges escalated, the IAWJ asked two major law firms to join in the effort to assist them on a pro bono basis.
Depositions can be useful tools in all kinds of cases. A deposition can be an effective and affordable tool for pro bono and public-interest lawyers and their clients. Our Depositions training is taught by Phil Horton and Stanton Jones from Arnold & Porter. The course will feature a mix of lecture and demonstration with plenty of time for Q&A. We will cover the basics of both taking and defending depositions. We'll discuss such topics as how to frame effective questions, proper use of direct vs. leading questions, personal style, use of outlines, and deposition strategy. And then we'll turn to defending depositions and discuss how to prepare a witness (both on the facts of the case and on how to be an effective witness) and how to defend the actual deposition. There will also be a demonstration on taking and defending a deposition in a housing case. Bring your lunch, and join us in learning the basics of how to prepare yourself and your witness for a deposition, what techniques are most effective, and what traps to avoid. This training is approved for CA 2.0 (general), NY 2.0 (skills), and NJ 2.2 (general) CLE credits. CLE approval is pending but not guaranteed in VA. Scholarships are available thanks to the generosity of the D.C. Bar Foundation. Please complete this form to apply for a scholarship.
Jeremy Calsyn has been a pro bono champion at Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen, and Hamilton since he joined the firm in 1999, and especially since he became a partner in 2008. In his regular work in the antitrust space, Jeremy handles a broad range of matters, including merger reviews, criminal and civil government investigations, and complex class action litigations. However, in addition to his many professional accomplishments in the legal field, it’s Jeremy’s pro bono leadership and commitment to pro bono services that truly stands out. Not only does he regularly provide hands-on supervision of pro bono cases, but Jeremy also serves as Pro Bono Committee Chair in the D.C. office, supporting the work of the D.C. Pro Bono Attorney and offering guidance to the firm’s pro program as a whole.
The recent influx of migrants to the District has shined a renewed spotlight on the difficult immigration landscape of the past decade and beyond. (UCs) are expected to navigate the incredibly complex U.S. immigration legal system alone, placed in removal proceedings in immigration court without the right to counsel, and often forced to defend themselves against highly skilled attorneys representing the government. Central to their success is the need for zealous, high-quality legal representation, which could not be achieved without the involvement of pro bono attorneys. Christine Webber and Johanna Hickman of Cohen, Milstein, Sellers, and Toll, PLLC are two such stellar attorneys who have served as counsel for a KIND client since 2014.
Over the past two years, civil rights in the United States have been under attack. The Dobbs decision marks the first time in its history that the Supreme Court has revoked a previously recognized constitutional right. After the 2020 elections, many state lawmakers have focused their efforts on passing laws erecting unnecessary barriers for people to vote which disproportionately impact people of color, students, the elderly, and people with disabilities. And while many have invoked the name of George Floyd in calling for racial justice and equity in recent years, have we actually achieved any progress in securing those goals? This panel will examine where we find ourselves now in a Post-Dobbs, Post-George Floyd, and Post-Big Lie World. Our esteemed panelists are: Sharon Brett, Legal Director, ACLU of Kansas Gilda Daniels, Professor of Law, University of Baltimore Marc Hearron, Senior Counsel, Center for Reproductive Rights Naïké Savain, Director of Policy, DC Justice Lab Join the conversation on social media using #DCPBW22.
Sponsored by the D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center The Small Business Brief Advice Legal Clinic gives business and transactional attorneys the opportunity to donate their expertise to small businesses. The Small Business Brief Advice Legal Clinics allow current and aspiring small business owners to speak with an attorney about their legal problems or questions that affect their businesses. Small businesses serve as the cornerstone for economic development in disadvantaged areas, but many cannot afford legal fees for advice that may determine whether they sink or swim. While only brief advice is given, entrepreneurs are able to engage in one-on-one consultations with an attorney. Matters that arise include business formation, real estate, employment, intellectual property and joint ventures, and partnership agreements. One to two trainings are held each year for interested volunteers, but it is not required to volunteer. New volunteers often shadow veteran volunteers during their first few consultations. For the volunteer manual, click here. Sign up to volunteer at the virtual clinic here. You must sign up before 8:00 am ET on Monday, October 24. And join the conversation on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook using#DCPBW22!
Co-Hosted by Bread for the City and Children's Law Center Bread for the City and Children’s Law Center will co-host this event to discuss their respective legal services work East of the Anacostia River and the importance of pro bono in serving D.C. neighbors. Join us to learn how lawyers can address non-medical barriers to health, the benefits of co-locating legal services with non-lawyer professionals, and how you can get involved with Bread for the City and Children’s Law Center. Registrants will receive a Zoom link in advance of the event. Join the conversation on social media using #DCPBW22.
Hosted by the Veterans Consortium Pro Bono Program In celebration of Pro Bono Week, The Veterans Consortium (TVC) is partnering with local volunteers and DC area law students to hold two, one-day pop-up legal clinics to serve the needs of veterans. These clinics will be held via a virtual platform. Clinics: Advice & Referral Clinic for Women Veterans Tuesday, October 25 10:00 am - 4:30 pm ET Legal Advice & Referral Clinic Friday, October 28 10:00 am - 4:30 pm ET To volunteer, reach out to Chesley at chesley.roberts@vetsprobono.org. Only female attorneys are allowed to volunteer for the women’s clinic. And join the conversation on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook using #DCPBW22!
Hosted by Children's Law Center, D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center, Mother's Outreach Network Please join us for a lively panel discussion on the need for pro bono representation in cases impacting families. This panel will discuss the challenges our clients face in securing representation and dispelling myths about who our clients are. Panelists will share their experiences representing parents, third-party caregivers, and the best interests of children. Come learn why access to justice in family law means everyone has a lawyer. Attendees will receive information about how they can get involved, ranging from limited scope to extended representation. Registrants will receive a Zoom link in advance of the event. Our discussion will be led by: Jen Masi (Children’s Law Center) Jenadee Nanini (D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center) Keeshea Turner Roberts (Delaware Law School, Widener University) Melody Webb (Mother’s Outreach Network) In advance of this session, attendees are invited to complete a brief (approximately ten minutes) virtual exercise on poverty. You can find the exercise here: SPENT: A Virtual Exercise on Poverty - H. E. Butt Foundation (hebfdn.org) Join the conversation on social media using #DCPBW22!
