DC Pro Bono Week Spotlight: The Law Students Addressing the Criminalization of Survivors of Abuse
18 September 2026 Blog, DC Pro Bono Week, Featured
We The Action recognizes volunteers who expand access to justice and deliver free legal services where they are critically needed. This month, we are proud to honor law students Kelci Dansie and Barbara Monteiro de Souza, whose partnership with Helping Ourselves to Transform has helped advance a survivor-centered bill in Maryland that could change how the legal system responds to domestic violence cases before the court.
Nominate a Pro Bono Champion for our Justice Impact Awards!
15 September 2026 Blog, Featured
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.
Each year, we also honor exceptional individuals who go above and beyond and deserve special recognition. Help us recognize the outstanding advocates who make extraordinary contributions to the pro bono and public-interest community while bringing our larger community together. Our legal services recipient is a dynamic legal services lawyer who represents low-income clients or thinks creatively to solve complex legal problems. Our government recipient is a dedicated government lawyer who also volunteers time to organize pro bono efforts or represent low-income clients. Our law firm recipient is a law firm lawyer who has made significant contributions to pro bono service. Our corporate pro bono recipient is a legal department lawyer who is committed to increasing pro bono representation by corporate counsel. All our award recipients work hard to improve access to justice. The focus of their work should be closing the access to justice gap for District residents.
Deadline: All nominations must be received by 5:00 pm ET on Friday, October 9, 2026.
2026 DC Pro Bono Week Schedule of Events
09 September 2026 Blog, Featured
DC Pro Bono Week Schedule of Events
2026 DC Pro Bono Week: Volunteer Opportunities
09 September 2026 Blog, DC Pro Bono Week
Ready to volunteer? This is a list of just the volunteer opportunities this year so you can get right to rolling up your sleeves and helping the community!
2026 DC Pro Bono Week: Affiliated Events
09 September 2026 Blog, DC Pro Bono Week, Featured, Uncategorized
Check out events from our community partners that center pro bono! This page features pro bono opportunities that offer you even more opportunities to learn about and engage with pro bono!
NVLSP and Williams & Connolly Discharge Upgrade Success Story
04 September 2026 Blog, Featured
At age 17, a veteran enlisted in the Marine Corps as a Rifleman. During a deployment to Afghanistan, he engaged in firefights and conducted daily foot patrols in areas mined with improvised explosive devices. For his service in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, he earned the prestigious Combat Action Ribbon.
Welcome Our New Board Members!
01 September 2026 Blog, Featured
We are delighted to welcome our newest board members and grateful for the expertise, perspective, and commitment they bring to our organization. We look forward to working together and are excited about all we can accomplish in the year ahead. Click to find out more!
Summer Forum 2026: Criminal Law & Death Penalty Panel Preview
The criminal legal system remains at the forefront of national discourse, especially concerning the pervasive issues of abusive policing, mass incarceration, and the death penalty. These systemic problems not only undermine individual liberties but also perpetuate cycles of injustice and inequality within our communities. Addressing these challenges requires a deep examination of current practices and the implementation of transformative reforms to protect fundamental human rights and ensure equitable justice for all. Learn more about these important topics at our 2026 Summer Forum Panel on Criminal Law & Death Penalty Panel on Thursday, July 9. Register here to join us!
Best Practices in Pro Bono: Navigating Vicarious Trauma in Pro Bono Cases: Supporting Volunteers Before, During, and After Trauma‑Intensive Work Recap
Our recent discussion focused on recognizing and responding to vicarious trauma and burnout in public interest law. Through a conversation with professionals representing legal services organizations, pro bono programs, and attorney wellness initiatives, participants learned how trauma-intensive legal work can affect attorneys, their clients, and the broader legal workplace. The discussion also highlighted practical strategies for maintaining well-being while continuing to provide meaningful advocacy.