Best Practices in Pro Bono: Pro Bono through Change: Maintaining, Building and Strengthening Access to Justice through Rapidly Changing Circumstances

New administrations bring new policies, rules, laws, perspectives, and practices significantly impacting clients and communities seeking access to justice. When significant and rapid changes garner national attention, how do we continue to focus on providing services to local community members in DC, so that we can meet their needs, while balancing volunteer interests and limited resources? As the entire legal community digests changes to many areas of practice, how do we keep pro bono at the forefront, adapting to new needs without overlooking ongoing cases or burning out. This panel will bring together law firm and legal services perspectives to discuss navigating the changing landscape together. Our discussion will be led by: Mary Gately, DLA Piper Lauren Birzon Harriman, DC Affordable Law Firm Jennifer Grishkin, Amica Center for Immigrant Rights The conversation will be moderated by Andrea Mangones, Director, Legal Training at KIND. Bring your lunch and your questions! Thanks to the generosity of Fried Frank cookies/brownies and drinks will be provided. We welcome pro bono coordinators from law firms, corporations, legal services providers, nonprofits, and government agencies from DC and across the country.  

Volunteer! DC Bar Pro Bono Center Advice and Referral Clinic (Februrary 2025)

Trying to find a way to fit pro bono service into your schedule? Join us for a rewarding day of service, where your skills can make a significant difference in the lives of those seeking legal guidance and support! Volunteer on Saturday, February 22nd to gain experience in serving the D.C. community in a variety of matters! At the clinic, you’ll provide brief advice (and referrals) to people who otherwise wouldn’t have access to legal help. We meet at Thurgood Marshall Academy Public Charter High School (2427 Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20020). Street parking is available. Please arrive at 9:00 am, a brief orientation takes place at 9:15 am, and volunteers are asked to stay until the last client is seen, usually at least 3:00 pm. There’s no time commitment beyond the clinic itself. As a volunteer attorney, you’ll answer questions about consumer law, family law, housing law, public benefits, bankruptcy, and other topics. You don’t need to be an expert in these areas of law: D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center staff and expert mentors will be on hand to help. You do need to be a member of the D.C. Bar, or a federal government attorney barred in another state to participate. The deadline to volunteer is Thursday, February 13 at 5:00 pm. We are currently looking for volunteers in private practice, including solo practitioners and those at firms. If you are currently in a government position and would like to volunteer please contact Lara Eilhardt at Lara.Eilhardt@usdoj.gov. If you are currently a law student and would like to volunteer please contact Rachel Lawrence at lawrencera@cua.edu. Thank you!

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