2026 Summer Forum Preview: Keynote
We are thrilled to welcome Liz Oyer as our 2026 Summer Pro Bono & Public Interest Forum keynote speaker. Ms. Oyer served as the U.S. Pardon Attorney through two administrations until she was abruptly fired in March 2025. She spent most of her career in public service and now educates the public about threats to the rule of law, focusing on issues related to the courts, the criminal justice system, and presidential power through her Lawyer Oyer platform and guest contributions to network programming, podcasts, and national news publications.
2026 D.C. Bar Candidate Endorsements
Washington Council of Lawyers endorses these 2026 candidates, listed alphabetically, and not in order of preference.
Please be sure to vote! Then share our endorsements widely with your networks!
2025 Justice Impact Awards Photo Album
10 December 2025 Blog, Featured
Thank you for joining us for a wonderful evening of inspiration and fellowship. A special thanks to our award recipients for all you do for our community! Enjoy these special memories.
2025 Justice Impact Awards Government: Acacia Bellamy
20 November 2025 Blog, Featured
Acacia Bellamy is an Attorney-Advisor at the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). In her position at HUD and throughout her legal career, Acacia, has demonstrated a deep commitment to her community and colleagues through her pro bono service and leadership.
2025 Justice Impact Awards Law Firm: Kate St. Romain
20 November 2025 Blog, Featured
When it comes to pro bono service, Kate St. Romain, Partner at Fried Frank, exemplifies using her legal tools in direct representation and systemic advocacy to defend and protect her clients and community members at every level. Her incredible ability to help those in her community through innovative legal strategy is paralleled by her compassion, judgement, and leadership. While her representation has spanned across many areas of law, she works tirelessly to support survivors of domestic violence through direct representation and aims to strengthen the legal framework that protects women and families through systemic advocacy.
2025 Justice Impact Awards Corporate Legal Counsel Award: Justin Loffredo
19 November 2025 Blog, Featured
Throughout his career, Justice Loffredo, Senior Principal Intellectual Property Legal Counsel at Medtronic PLC, has shown an unparalleled dedication to pro bono service. Justin’s career illustrates what it means to lead with compassion, integrity, and a resolute commitment to expanding access to justice.
2025 Justice Impact Awards Legal Services Award: Kaitlin Banner
18 November 2025 Blog, Featured
In this past year, our neighbors and people all around the country have faced unprecedented attacks on their civil rights. Thanks to the leadership of Kaitlin Banner, the Deputy Legal Director at the Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs (WLC), they did not need to take on that battle alone.
2025 Justice Impact Awards Presidents Award: Laura Klein
17 November 2025 Blog, Featured
For more than twenty-three years, the name Laura Klein has been synonymous with government pro bono. No one has had a greater or more sustained impact on the ability of federal attorneys to provide volunteer legal services. Throughout her long career, Laura has exemplified the ideal of serving “for the public good.”
Laura first received the Government Pro Bono Award from the Washington Council of Lawyers in 2004. It is fitting that at the conclusion of her distinguished federal career, she receives our 2025 Presidents’ Award, honoring her exceptional leadership, profound impact, and the generous spirit that has inspired—and continues to inspire—so many in the pursuit of justice.
2025 Justice Impact Awards Recipients
03 November 2025 Blog, Featured
Each year, we recognize outstanding lawyers who make exceptional contributions to the pro bono and public-interest community and celebrate the hundreds of public-interest and pro bono professionals who dedicate time, expertise, finances, and compassion to helping their neighbors. We are thrilled to honor our 2025 Justice Impact Awards recipients! Read on to find out more.