WASHINGTON COUNCIL OF LAWYERS

The pandemic exacerbated the need for pro bono lawyers and many firms experienced banner years for pro bono hours. But, now many employers are moving away from all remote to hybrid work situations, and some legal services providers are struggling to secure volunteers. Is there a correlation between return to the office and a real or perceived decline in volunteers? Are volunteers still providing pro bono hours at the high rates we saw in 2020 and 2021?  If so, where is the time going? The question on everyone's mind is where is the disconnect? And how do we respond to ensure pro bono projects are fully staffed while providing volunteers with meaningful experiences? We'll discuss these questions and more with: Blair Decker, Pro Bono Counsel, Hogan Lovells US LLP Jodi Feldman, Managing Attorney, Legal Operations, Legal Aid of the District of Columbia Danielle Moise, Pro Bono Attorney, Covington & Burling LLP Nirupa L. Narayan, Senior Director for Pro Bono Partnerships, Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) Join this candid panel discussion as we pause to reflect upon how pro bono recruitment and retention have changed since 2020 and brainstorm strategies for moving forward together.

Our Government Pro Bono Roundtable is the perfect opportunity to learn about doing pro bono work as a government lawyer. Pro bono work can be a rewarding part of a government career; you just need to be familiar with the resources, policies, and strategies that allow you to do the work effectively. At this lively discussion, you'll learn about established pro bono programs for government lawyers. Our pro bono experts will share why pro bono work is meaningful to them, tips for managing your schedule and finding the support you need, and info about the many different types of pro bono work available to government lawyers. Our panel will include: Tracy Suhr, U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia Elaine Block, Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia Laura Klein, Pro Bono Program Manager, U.S. Department of Justice Christopher Jennison, Employment and Labor Law Division, Federal Aviation Administration The panel will be moderated by Jennifer Miller, Director of Staff, Office of the Secretary of the Air Force, and Washington Council of Lawyers board member. The government lawyer panelists will share their experiences from their personal perspectives in their individual capacities, and will not be speaking on behalf of their agencies. Join us to find out how you can dive into pro bono work as a government lawyer!

Hosted by ACC NCR & Washington Council of Lawyers Remote representation is here to stay and can feel even more intimidating and unique in the pro bono setting. Join the Association of Corporate Counsel National Capital Region and Washington Council of Lawyers as we invite an experienced panel of in-house volunteers and legal service coordinators who will share best practices, lessons learned, and tools for success that enable pro bono volunteers to navigate all aspects of virtual client representation, including clinics, limited scope representations, and even remote court proceedings. The presentation will take place 12 - 1 pm ET and will be followed by an online pro bono fair 1 - 2 pm ET, during which attendees will be able to select up to four break-out sessions featuring legal services organizations and in-house volunteers discussing volunteer opportunities.  Registrants may attend either or both the program and fair. Thank you to the following organizations that have signed on to participate. More to be added! Ayuda Children's Law Center Corporate Pro Bono DC Bar Pro Bono Center DC Volunteer Lawyers Project Kids in Need of Legal Defense (KIND) Legal Counsel for the Elderly Legal Services of Northern Virginia Maryland Legal Aid National Veterans Legal Services Program Whitman Walker Health Legal Services

Confidence in the courtroom comes from a dynamic understanding of the Federal Rules of Evidence. But not all rules are created equal. Hearsay is one of those challenging areas that even seasoned litigators need to review from time to time. Under Federal Rule 801, hearsay is an out-of-court statement offered for the “truth of the matter asserted.” What exactly does that mean? Join us for Litigation Skills Series: Hearsay to learn more about when and how the hearsay rules apply, the exceptions to the rules, and how to overcome hearsay objections. This training will be run by experienced faculty, Barbara Butterworth, Counsel, Litigation Mentor Program at Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner, LLP. The first hour will be a lecture and a short demonstration. During the last half hour, attendees will be able to apply what they've learned and get direct feedback on their impeachment of a witness. Materials will be shared ahead of time so that you can prepare. This training is appropriate for public-interest, law firm, in-house, and government lawyers, as well as law students who have taken evidence and have trial-practice or mock-trial experience. Scholarships are available thanks to the generosity of the D.C. Bar Foundation. To apply for a scholarship, please complete this online scholarship form.

Trials can be fraught with evidentiary minefields. But perhaps none more so than getting a document into evidence over the accompanying objections and roadblocks. Understanding the process is key to planning how to navigate the expected (and unexpected) hurdles. Ensure your trial materials are successfully entered into evidence with Litigation Skills Series: Exhibits & Evidentiary Foundations. Through lecture and demonstration, litigation experts will teach the basics of admitting evidence—including business records, charts, photos, ledgers, drawings, letters, emails, social media posts, and other documents. The course will begin with a lively presentation and top-notch demonstration and end with the opportunity to "get on your feet" and practice what you have learned. This training is appropriate for public-interest, law firm, in-house, and government lawyers, as well as law students who have taken evidence and have trial-practice or mock-trial experience. The Exhibits & Evidentiary Foundations faculty include: Kate Oler, Special Master on the United States Court of Federal Claims Greg Lipper, LeGrand Law PLLC CLE credit is approved for 1.5 CA general, 1.5 NJ general, and 1.5 NY skills (newly admitted and experienced), and is pending but not guaranteed for VA. Reciprocal credit may be available in other jurisdictions. Scholarships are available thanks to the generosity of the D.C. Bar Foundation. To apply for a scholarship, please complete this online scholarship form.

Ethics rules are helpful in navigating difficult issues but what about the grey areas not covered by the rules? Facing a pro se litigant or difficult opposing counsel, advocating effectively for your client before a challenging fact finder, or representing a tough client are among the many challenges faced by public-interest lawyers and pro bono volunteers. These situations can be equally daunting to navigate, and understanding your options are vital to effective representation. The Ethics training panel features: Gwen Washington, Pro Bono Attorney at Cleary Gottlieb, Megan Challender, Legal Manager at NVRDC, and June Lee, Director of the Immigrant Rights Legal Services Project at Legal Aid Society of the District of Columbia. Don't worry, we have a safe space for you to learn how to avoid potential quagmires for public-interest and pro bono lawyers when facing these issues and more. Note, this training is not an Ethics CLE and will not be eligible for CLE credit.