WASHINGTON COUNCIL OF LAWYERS

This Pro Bono best practices conversation will be all about the money and how our community can inculcate a culture of giving to support legal services. We will discuss the impact of law firm and other institutional giving, including donations and other forms of financial support.  We will also probe how individual lawyers formulate their philosophy and approach to giving and the ways they seek to influence giving by organizations. We will discuss the duty to and impact of financially supporting legal services organizations using D.C. Rule of Professional Conduct 6.1 as a foundation. Our panel includes: Ellen Jakovic, Of Counsel, Kirkland & Ellis and current D.C. Bar President Judith Sandalow, Executive Director, Children's Law Center Angela Boone, Director of Development & Communications, D.C. Bar Rob Pergament, Director of Development, Legal Aid DC Michael Bigley, Director, Venable Foundation at Venable LLP Best Practices in Pro Bono is open to pro bono coordinators at law firms, legal services organizations, government agencies, and in-house legal departments. Bring your ideas and your lunch. Cookies and drinks will be provided thanks to the generosity of our host Fried Frank.

First impressions count. Most first impressions are created virtually when a colleague, client, or prospective employer looks up your profile online. With so many ways to communicate and market yourself, a professional headshot is vital to your success. Make sure you're looking your best by getting a professionally taken and edited headshot. We are excited to host our next Members Only event (join) Pictures + Prosecco. If you've been meaning to update your professional headshot or don't have one at all, this is your chance. Join us and Joy Asico of Asico Photo for a photo session and stay for networking with other pro bono and public interest lawyers. You will have the opportunity to choose from an outdoor or indoor background. No dress code is required, but business/professional attire is recommended. This event is limited to 25 participants. Please come camera ready. Thank you to Cleary Gottlieb for generously hosting this event.

There is a tremendous need for volunteers to provide legal help to those in our community. And, we have a way you can serve on a Saturday! Volunteer with us at May's D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center's Advice & Referral Clinic. At the clinic, you'll provide brief advice (and referrals) to people who otherwise wouldn't have access to legal help. We meet at Bread for the City's Michelle Obama Southeast Center, at 1700 Good Hope Road SE. Parking is available. A brief orientation takes place at 8:30 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, May 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. 

IN-PERSON LUNCHEON IS SOLD OUT! The luncheon will be live-streamed and interactive. You can bring together your summer associates/summer interns and join us from anywhere. 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. We’ll kick off the forum with an in-person and live-streamed keynote conversation with Nicole Austin-Hillery, President & CEO of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc. on Wednesday, June 7 from 12:00-2:00 pm ET. The first two virtual practice-area panel discussions will follow on Thursday, June 8 from 12:00 – 2:30 pm ET. There will be networking time after the panels. Then, over the following two weeks, you will have the opportunity to attend the remainder of the virtual panel presentations where you can learn more about pro bono and public-interest work in DC and across the country. Each panel will focus on a different practice area, featuring presentations by national and local experts in that legal specialty. The panel topics will include: June 8 – Non-Litigation Pro Bono – 12:00-1:15 pm ET June 8 – Environmental Justice – 1:15-2:30 pm ET June 15 – Poverty Law – 12:00-1:15 pm ET June 15 – Criminal Law & Death Penalty – 1:15-2:30 pm ET June 22 – Civil Rights & Civil Liberties – 12:00-1:15 pm ET June 22 – Immigration & Human Rights – 1:15-2:30 pm ET The Summer Forum is open to Washington Council of Lawyers members (join), participants in summer associate and summer intern programs, lawyers in law firms, government and public-interest organizations, law students, and others interested in learning more about incorporating public-interest law into their practice. You can attend from anywhere! A single registration provides access to all four days of Summer Forum sessions, and recordings of each session will be sent to all registered attendees. You can choose to attend the in-person luncheon or participate in the live stream. All the panels are virtual. The cost for the in-person luncheon'/virtual panel option is $65 for WCL Members; $75 for Government & Public-Interest Lawyers, Interns, and Individual Law Students; and $95 for Law Firm Lawyers, Summer Associates, Corporate Law Department Lawyers, Law Department Interns, and the General Public. The all-virtual option is just $45 for WCL Members; $55 for Government & Public-Interest Lawyers, Interns, and Individual Law Students; and $75 for Law Firm Lawyers, Summer Associates, Corporate Law Department Lawyers, Law Department Interns, and General Public. Summer Program Coordinators: If you’d like your summer associates or interns to attend, but don’t yet know their names, you can register them as guests (First Name: Guest 1, Last Name: Organization Name). Please email Christina Jackson (at cjackson@wclawyers.org) if you need any assistance. Look for updates and join the conversation about the Summer Forum using #SumFo23 on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn!

Sometimes you just need to take a break and get moving. Hard work is always better with a friend. Grab yours or make a new one at our first-ever Members Only Fitness + Fellowship. We are so excited to invite you to the brand new Navy Yard location of Mayweather Boxing + Fitness to try out their 45-minute Undefeated class. Whether you've never strapped on the gloves or are a pro, you’ll leave class feeling undefeated with that post-workout glow. The best part is this new and innovative private class is only $15 (which includes your glove rentals). That's more than a $25 savings and you can take advantage of 10% off any merchandise (gloves, wraps, etc.) or apparel. Following the class, you can stay for mini-facials courtesy of Silver Mirror Facial Bar. If you're not already a member, join now so you can participate in this outstanding event. And the first 10 summer public-interest interns, summer associates, or law students who register, can attend for free. Use registration category FIRST 10. But you must be a member to take advantage of this opportunity. Pre-registration is required, and the class is limited to 32 attendees.

Our popular Racial Justice Series returns with "The High Civil Cost of Criminal Records," a panel discussion on the unmitigated and long-term consequences of a criminal record. The United States has a long history of disparate rates of arrest, conviction, and incarceration of people of color. But the long-term effects go well beyond the period of incarceration. The civil consequences of a criminal record have significant impacts on the individual and their families long after their contact with the criminal system. The ability to get a job, including obtaining occupational licenses; obtain housing; get or keep custody of their children; take out a loan; go to school, especially through student loans; or vote are just some of the collateral consequences. Join us to discuss these issues and more, what is being done in DC to lessen or eliminate these consequences, and how DC attorneys can help. Leading our discussion is our expert panel, including: Amanda Korber, Director of the Legal Aid Society of the District of Columbia Reentry Project Alexis Applegate, Senior Attorney Advisor, Office of General Counsel, D.C. Office of Human Rights Patrice Sulton, Executive Director, DC Justice Lab Stephon Woods, Government Attorney & Washington Council of Lawyers Board Member (moderator) This engaging evening of learning is free for Washington Council of Lawyers members and members of co-sponsoring organizations, and $10 for the general public. Get ready to better understand the high cost and life-long impacts of criminal records. Thank you to the LGBTQ+ Bar Association of DC; the South Asian Bar Association of Washington D.C. (SABA-DC); and the Trial Lawyers Association of Metropolitan Washington, DC (TLADC) for co-sponsoring this program.

Co-hosted by the D.C. Superior Court Pro Bono and Affordable Counsel Committee Have you ever been to the D.C. Superior Court?  Have you met a D.C. Superior Court Judge?  Do you want to help litigants of limited means in cases involving eviction, domestic violence, domestic relations, or debt collection? Join us for the D.C. Superior Court Open House where representatives from legal services organizations will lead tours in some of the Court’s high-volume branches.  You will have an opportunity to observe court proceedings, speak with Superior Court Judges, and learn how you can help expand access to justice and improve the everyday lives of individuals and families in our community. You can choose to tour the Domestic Violence Division, Domestic Relations Branch, Landlord & Tenant Branch, or Civil Division -Debt Collection Calendar at registration. Please note masks are required at all times inside the courthouse. We look forward to welcoming you!

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

Hosted by the Women's Bar Association of DC Interested in learning from a dynamic panel of women at the top of their careers? Leaders from the private sector, government, and the judiciary will provide insight from their experiences climbing the corporate and legal ladders, including how their leadership styles differ from their male counterparts. This delightful evening is sure to inspire, empower, and provide guidance to all generations of women leaders and to those looking to boost their pathway to leadership! Speakers: Hon. Tanya Jones Bosier, Magistrate Judge, D.C. Superior Court Lisa Fowlkes, Vice President Regulatory Affairs, Comcast NBC Universal Khalilah Harris, Chief of Staff, Office of Personnel Management Vicki Warker, Vice President, Product Management, Mercury Gate International The discussion will be moderated by Kandis Gibson, WBA President-Elect We are pleased to be a co-sponsor of this event.

Our annual awards ceremony gives us a chance to recognize lawyers and organizations who make exceptional contributions to the pro bono and public-interest community. At this year’s ceremony, we will recognize the recipients of these awards: Presidents Award for Public Service Karen Newton Cole Neighborhood Legal Services Program Government Pro Bono Award Tracy Suhr U.S. Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration Law Firm Award Latham & Watkins LLP Legal Services Award Kristin Eliason Network for Victim Recovery DC Join us for a celebratory evening of delicious food & drink, inspiring community connections, and the chance to celebrate our local pro bono and public-interest advocates who work tirelessly to increase access to justice! SILENT AUCTION! You can also support our mission of ensuring our justice system treats everyone fairly, regardless of money, position, or power through our silent auction. Bidding is open now and closes on Friday, December 2nd. Treat your loved ones (or yourself) with fabulous items sure to bring holiday cheer! We hope you will Bid Early and Often! Tickets are now on sale. You can also honor this year's award recipients by sponsoring the Awards Ceremony. For more information, please contact our Executive Director, Christina Jackson, at cjackson@wclawyers.org or 202-451-8129. THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS! We are grateful for the support of these generous sponsors who make possible all we do. Champion Arnold & Porter Compass Lexecon Kirkland & Ellis Trailblazer Latham & Watkins Benefactor Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman Defender Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld Buckley Covington & Burling DLA Piper Fried Frank Harris Shriver & Jacobson Hogan Lovells Morgan Lewis & Bockius Sidley Austin Steptoe Foundation TM Financial Forensics Zuckerman Spaeder Pioneer Alix Partners ArentFox Schiff Cleary Gottlieb Cooley Crowell & Moring Dechert Relman Colfax Wiley If you would like to become a sponsor, please contact our Executive Director, Christina Jackson, at cjackson@wclawyers.org or 202-451-8129.

How has the pandemic changed clinics, workshops, and other one-time service opportunities for legal services providers and volunteers? Join us for a candid discussion of the costs and benefits of these limited-scope pro bono opportunities. We'll hear from organizers and participants about what worked remotely, what did not, and where we go from here post-pandemic. Our discussion will be led by: Erin M. Mee, Pro Bono Coordinating Attorney, National Veterans Legal Services Program Lance Conklin, Chair, AILA DC Chapter Pro Bono Committee Catalina Martinez, Attorney Advisor, U.S. Small Business Administration Paul Lee, Pro Bono Counsel, Steptoe & Johnson And our discussion will be moderated by Andrea Mangones, Director, Legal Training & Technical Assistance, KIND. We're so excited to be back in person we've set aside some additional time to get reacquainted and meet all the new members of our pro bono community. Bring your ideas and your lunch. Cookies and drinks will be provided thanks to the generosity of our host Fried Frank.

Hosted by the D.C. Superior Court Pro Bono and Affordable Counsel Committee, Legal Aid Society of the District of Columbia, and NVRDC Have you ever been to the D.C. Superior Court?  Have you met a D.C. Superior Court Judge?  Do you want to help litigants of limited means in cases involving eviction, domestic violence, or domestic relations? Join us for the D.C. Superior Court Open House where representatives from legal services organizations will lead tours in some of the Court’s high-volume branches.  You will have an opportunity to observe court proceedings, speak with Superior Court Judges, and learn how you can help expand access to justice and improve the everyday lives of individuals and families in our community. You can choose to tour the Domestic Violence Division, Domestic Relations Branch, or Landlord and Tenant Branch at registration. Please note masks are required at all times inside the courthouse. You will need to bring a government-issued ID to enter the building. We look forward to welcoming you! And join the conversation on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook using #DCPBW22!

Depositions can be useful tools in all kinds of cases. A deposition can be an effective and affordable tool for pro bono and public-interest lawyers and their clients. Our Depositions training is taught by Phil Horton and Stanton Jones from Arnold & Porter. The course will feature a mix of lecture and demonstration with plenty of time for Q&A. We will cover the basics of both taking and defending depositions. We'll discuss such topics as how to frame effective questions, proper use of direct vs. leading questions, personal style, use of outlines, and deposition strategy.  And then we'll turn to defending depositions and discuss how to prepare a witness (both on the facts of the case and on how to be an effective witness) and how to defend the actual deposition.  There will also be a demonstration on taking and defending a deposition in a housing case. Bring your lunch, and join us in learning the basics of how to prepare yourself and your witness for a deposition, what techniques are most effective, and what traps to avoid. This training is approved for CA 2.0 (general), NY 2.0 (skills), and NJ 2.2 (general) CLE credits. CLE approval is pending but not guaranteed in VA. Scholarships are available thanks to the generosity of the D.C. Bar Foundation. Please complete this form to apply for a scholarship.

Over the past two years, civil rights in the United States have been under attack.  The Dobbs decision marks the first time in its history that the Supreme Court has revoked a previously recognized constitutional right.  After the 2020 elections, many state lawmakers have focused their efforts on passing laws erecting unnecessary barriers for people to vote which disproportionately impact people of color, students, the elderly, and people with disabilities. And while many have invoked the name of George Floyd in calling for racial justice and equity in recent years, have we actually achieved any progress in securing those goals?  This panel will examine where we find ourselves now in a Post-Dobbs, Post-George Floyd, and Post-Big Lie World. Our esteemed panelists are: Sharon Brett, Legal Director, ACLU of Kansas Gilda Daniels, Professor of Law, University of Baltimore Marc Hearron, Senior Counsel, Center for Reproductive Rights Naïké Savain, Director of Policy, DC Justice Lab Join the conversation on social media using #DCPBW22.

Sponsored by the D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center The Small Business Brief Advice Legal Clinic gives business and transactional attorneys the opportunity to donate their expertise to small businesses.  The Small Business Brief Advice Legal Clinics allow current and aspiring small business owners to speak with an attorney about their legal problems or questions that affect their businesses.  Small businesses serve as the cornerstone for economic development in disadvantaged areas, but many cannot afford legal fees for advice that may determine whether they sink or swim. While only brief advice is given, entrepreneurs are able to engage in one-on-one consultations with an attorney.  Matters that arise include business formation, real estate, employment, intellectual property and joint ventures, and partnership agreements. One to two trainings are held each year for interested volunteers, but it is not required to volunteer. New volunteers often shadow veteran volunteers during their first few consultations. For the volunteer manual, click here. Sign up to volunteer at the virtual clinic here. You must sign up before 8:00 am ET on Monday, October 24. And join the conversation on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook using#DCPBW22!

Co-Hosted by Bread for the City and Children's Law Center Bread for the City and Children’s Law Center will co-host this event to discuss their respective legal services work East of the Anacostia River and the importance of pro bono in serving D.C. neighbors. Join us to learn how lawyers can address non-medical barriers to health, the benefits of co-locating legal services with non-lawyer professionals, and how you can get involved with Bread for the City and Children’s Law Center. Registrants will receive a Zoom link in advance of the event. Join the conversation on social media using #DCPBW22.