WASHINGTON COUNCIL OF LAWYERS

This Supreme Court term saw numerous issues with implications for public interest practitioners, including several concerning the scope of executive branch power. The Court’s formal decisions will be on the front pages, but what happens behind the scenes? Our panel of distinguished practitioners, each of whom had cases the Supreme Court ruled on this term, will take a behind-the-headlines look at the major executive power cases before the Court this term, the personalities and interactions among the Justices, and a look ahead at what we might anticipate in the years to come. Our panelists include: Kelsi Corkran, Supreme Court Director at the Institute for Constitutional Advocacy & Protection and a Senior Lecturer at the Georgetown University Law Center Deepak Gupta, Founding Principal of Gupta Wessler LLP Adam Unikowsky, Partner at Jenner & Block Michael Perloff, senior staff attorney at the ACLU of DC, will moderate the discussion. We will discuss the implications of the executive power cases decided this term, how the decisions might determine strategy for potential impact litigation moving forward, and what it’s like to argue before the U.S. Supreme Court. This program is appropriate for practitioners, summer associates and interns, Supreme Court enthusiasts, and anyone interested in defending the rule of law. The cost of this program is $40 for Washington Council of Lawyers members, $45 for public interest and government lawyers, interns, and law students, and $70 for law firm lawyers, summer associates, and the general public. (Join here to receive the discounted member price.) Lunch is provided, and the program offers open seating; please arrive early. We look forward to having you join us for lunch and a fascinating discussion of the recently concluded Supreme Court term! Finally, if you’d like your summer associates or interns to attend and require assistance with group registration, please email our Executive Director, Christina Jackson, at cjackson@wclawyers.org. Join and follow the conversation at #SCOTUSreview!

Our Summer Pro Bono & Public Interest Forum is an annual tradition that brings together lawyers, summer associates, summer interns, and others interested in making pro bono or public-interest work a part of their legal careers and provides an introduction to several different types of public-interest practice. Dive deeper into how to support the LGBTQ+ community. We will discuss the current attacks on the community, and the efforts rising up to challenge them on a systemic and individual basis. Discover how you can get involved with pro bono to support the LGBTQ+ community! This panel is free for members (join), folks from PIJC subscriber schools,  DC Consortium, and those that registered for the in-person Summer Forum sessions! Non-members can join for just $10. We hope you enjoy the discussion and join the conversation using #SumFo25!

Our Summer Pro Bono & Public Interest Forum is an annual tradition that brings together lawyers, summer associates, summer interns, and others interested in making pro bono or public-interest work a part of their legal careers and provides an introduction to several different types of public-interest practice. Dive deeper into non-litigation pro bono in this virtual panel! There are many opportunities for pro bono representation in transactional matters. From setting up businesses to providing tax advice, knowing the right forms and how to fill them out can make all the difference. Trained lawyers can draft wills for veterans, navigate uncontested divorce proceedings, research novel issues, and much more. If you want to support your community but hope to stay out of the courtroom, this is the panel for you! This panel is free for members (join), folks from PIJC subscriber schools,  DC Consortium, and those that registered for the in-person Summer Forum sessions! Non-members can join for just $10. We hope you enjoy the discussion and join the conversation using #SumFo25!

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, July 26th 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 DC Bar Office, 901 4th St NW, Washington, DC 20001. 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 Friday, July 11 by 5:00 pm ET. Once you register to attend, our Program Director and volunteer coordinator, Chris Marin, will be in touch with additional details. 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!