WASHINGTON COUNCIL OF LAWYERS

This event is hosted by DC Superior Court and Washington Council of Lawyers and co-sponsored by the D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center. Join us for a DC Superior Court Open House where Jenadee Nanini, Managing Attorney at the DC Bar Pro Bono Center, will introduce you to the Domestic Relations Branch – one of the Court’s highest-volume branches where pro bono representation is greatly needed in child custody cases. You’ll observe court proceedings, meet with Superior Court Judges, and learn how you can help expand access to justice in our community. Pro bono counsel may represent custodial parents, non-custodial parents, or third-party caregivers in child custody matters. They also serve as guardians ad litem (GALs), representing the “best interests” of the children involved. Whether representing a party or serving as a GAL in a custody case, you’ll be helping to secure stability for a family with limited means, as well as enhancing your professional skills. Please note this event involves a moderate amount of standing and walking. If attendees have accommodation needs or questions, please contact Jodi Feldman at Jodi.Feldman@DCCSystem.gov.

Discover the role of impact litigation in advancing access to justice and expanding the scope of pro bono legal services. Join us in exploring how impact litigation compares to other forms of pro bono work, as well as the key factors that legal services organizations and law firms consider before pursuing these types of cases. At a time when law firms and legal practices face increasing public scrutiny, this candid discussion aims to deepen understanding across different sectors of the pro bono and public interest community. Panelists will also highlight practical opportunities for collaboration and offer strategies for integrating impact litigation into pro bono portfolios—along with potential solutions to common challenges. 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.

Post-graduate fellowships are a unique way to realize your ideal public interest job. Fellowships allow new lawyers to gain hands-on experience, develop project management skills, and pursue their passions for promoting justice. But the application process is complicated and the programs are competitive. We're here to help you make sense of the process. Our expert panel will walk you through all the steps of the application procedures for the various programs and give you concrete tips for maximizing your chances of landing the fellowship of your dreams. Then, we will discuss PSJD and other online resources for finding fellowships. Finally, there will be plenty of time for individualized questions. This discussion will be moderated by Jennie Netburn, Fellowships Counselor, Georgetown University Law Center in conversation with: Lauren Hartley, Director of Fellowships, Equal Justice Works Laura Sinrod, Special Counsel, Pro Bono, Fried Frank Antonio DelGrande, MALDEF Fellow, Fried Frank Sam Halpert, Director of Public Services, NALP This event is for law students at every stage of their career as well as judicial clerks and LLM students. For 3L students we will discuss the current fellowship application cycle. For 1L and 2L students, we will discuss the best ways to position yourself to receive a post graduate fellowship. We will also discuss law clerks and LLM students' eligibility for fellowship positions.  Join the conversation on social media #Fellowships101.

For many, making a big career shift is on the horizon, and now is the time to pivot! You may be changing positions, you've chosen to go in a different direction, or you are at the beginning of your career and need to rethink your career goals. Whatever your situation, the idea of transitioning to a completely different job or an unfamiliar sector can be daunting. How do you even begin? And what are the practical steps to leaving your position? This career-advice panel will discuss all this and more. We've gathered a panel of experienced career professionals to explore your options and how to think about your skills and experiences to translate them to a different sector. Then, we'll focus on how to revise your resume, rework your network, strategize your career goals, research new options, and retool your narrative. Finally, we'll discuss the practical considerations to think about and plan for as a part of the transition including: how to find help at your organization, what your ethical obligations are, how to transfer your responsibilities, what should your "out of office say", what you can and can't take with you, and much more. Our panelists include: Alessandro Terenzoni - former government lawyer Paul Lee - law firm representative Camille Thompson - law school career development professional Mary Giovagnoli - government employee, former legal services lawyer, and policy professional This program is a Zoom webinar, so only presenters will be visible to attendees. You can ask questions through the Q&A function and may ask those questions anonymously. We will leave time at the end for questions if you wish to come on camera or off mute to interact with the panelists. This discussion will not be recorded, nor may attendees record this session. We know this is an unprecedented shift in employment! We are here to help with the practical transition and ensure your mental health and well-being remain intact during the process.