DC Pro Bono Week 2025: Recap

DC Pro Bono Week 2025 is a wrap! The inspiration to make a difference in our community and the celebration of pro bono service continues. We know the need for pro bono lawyers doesn’t stop and as lawyers, we have a duty and obligation to help bridge the access to justice gap. Whether it’s by taking on a pro bono case, volunteering for an advice and referral clinic, contributing to systemic advocacy, or financially supporting a legal services organization, we can all do something for the public good. Thank you to everyone who made DC Pro Bono Week possible and a special thank you to the lawyers who are Supporting Communities by helping their neighbors and moving us toward a more just and equitable society through pro bono. We also offered a wide range of events and DC Pro Bono Week programs. We kicked off the week with Pro Bono Goes Local, where D.C. Court of Appeals Chief Judge Blackburne-Rigsby and D.C. Superior Court Chief Judge Milton C. Lee Jr. discussed the need for community with DC Bar President, Sadina Montani. There were many virtual opportunities offered throughout the week, you can find the recordings for those below! We got out into the city to learn more about supporting our neighbors at Children’s Law Center Medical-Legal Partnership and at the Open Houses in DC Superior Court's Landlord/Tenant Branch, Domestic Relations Branch, and Domestic Violence Division. We also supported the 2nd Annual Walk For Justice hosted by the DC Bar Foundation! And, of course, DC Pro Bono Week would not complete without opportunities to serve. Volunteers helped folks at the Expungement Clinic, DC Bar Pro Bono Center: Advice & Referral Clinic, DC Bar Pro Bono Center: Advocacy & Justice Clinic, and The Veterans Consortium: Legal Advice and Referral Clinic. Throughout, we discovered ways to get involved, volunteer, and create positive change. With all of that, you might have missed something. Catch up on any of the programs with the following recordings: Community Lawyering for Environmental Justice: Environmental Pro Bono Opportunities in the DC Region Check back soon for the rest of the recordings! Keep the momentum going on social media using #DCProBono25 and by doing what you can to support pro bono. Thank you for a great DC Pro Bono Week 2025!

Volunteer! DC Bar Advice & Referral Clinic

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, November 15th 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). 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 Tuesday, November 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 a law student and would like to volunteer please contact Rachel Lawrence at lawrencera@cua.edu. Thank you!

Graphic: 2025 Justice Impact Awards nominations open deadline extended over a gold ribbon with a purple background.

DEADLINE EXTENDED for Nominations for the 2025 Justice Impact Awards!

Annually, Washington Council of Lawyers is thrilled to celebrate us! – the hundreds of public-interest and pro bono professionals who dedicate time, expertise, finances, and compassion to helping their neighbors. Our Justice Impact Awards is a time for us to come together, recharge our collective batteries, celebrate our accomplishments, commiserate on our challenges, and be inspired. Read on to find out how to nominate a pro bono champion.

Graphic: Best Practices in Pro Bono Discussion Series

Event Recap: Full Representation in Pro Bono — Building Sustainable Support for Clients and Counsel

Our recent discussion on Best Practices in Pro Bono: Keeping the Commitment: Structures to Make Full Representation Work for Everyone brought together leaders from across the legal services, corporate, and law firm communities to explore how to make sustained, high-quality representation both achievable and rewarding for volunteers. Panelists included representatives from law firms, corporate legal nonprofit, and legal services organizations, each offering insights into what it takes to provide full representation—from the first client meeting to case resolution.

2025 DC Pro Bono Week: The Veterans Consortium: Legal Advice and Referral Clinic (In-Person)

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. Advice & Referral Clinic for Veterans - In-Person Friday, October 24 10:00 am – 2:30 pm Washington, DC  VA Medical Center (50 Irving St NW) To volunteer, reach out to Hayley at hayley.wolf@vetsprobono.org. And join the conversation on social media using #DCProBono25!

Graphic: Need Help?

Resources During the Government Shutdown

With so many federal government employees struggling during the shutdown, we've collected links to and summaries of resources available to federal employees who are furloughed. From free food to free CLE programs, many groups are trying to support those affected by the shutdown.

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