WASHINGTON COUNCIL OF LAWYERS

The legal hurdles faced by individuals living in poverty are vast. They often face uphill battles with issues impacting the most fundamental human needs: family stability, safe housing, food security, fair employment, and freedom from fear and violence. Representation is vital in these areas, and the need is overwhelming. These areas of law often have the highest rate of pro se litigants; when pro bono or public-interest lawyers get involved, these cases also produce some of the most life-changing outcomes for the parties involved. Pro bono lawyers who take on these cases literally can be life-savers. Learn more about the wide-ranging legal issues individuals living in poverty face and what pro bono opportunities are available in D.C. and across the country to help address these needs at our 2026 Summer Forum Panel on Poverty Law on Thursday, July 9. Register here!

The legal landscape in America has been tumultuous for immigrants, their friends, families, and communities. This year, we have seen communities torn apart by militant and, at times, illegal action - people pulled from their homes, their jobs, their schools, or even the courthouse itself. It has been a battle for immigration attorneys to stay on top of both the changes in the law and the ever mounting need for their support as more and more people face or fear being removed from their lives. Navigating a foreign legal system is always hard, but it has become treacherous in ever developing ways. This panel will give you insight into what the field of immigration law looks like today and opportunities in which you can provide assistance. Learn more about the wide-ranging legal issues immigrants face and what pro bono opportunities are available in D.C. and across the country to help address these needs at our 2026 Summer Forum Panel on Immigration and Human Rights Panel. Register here to check out this panel at the Summer Forum!

Happy Pride Month! Read more about Pauli Murray a civil rights trailblazer, legal scholar, theorist, and poet!

Democracy is only as strong as the lawyers who defend it. Your law degree is more than a credential. It's a commitment. To the Constitution, to equal justice, to the rule of law. And right now, that commitment is being tested in ways most of us never expected.

Washington Council of Lawyers is powered by our (all-volunteer) Board of Directors. Our working board plans and executes a range of advocacy efforts,  education and training programs, social and fundraising events, and communication initiatives. We'd love for you to join us! We're now accepting applications to join our board. Please submit your application by 5:00 pm on Monday, June 8, 2026.

We hosted Best Practices in Pro Bono: Exploring Opportunities in Appeals: Appellate Practice for Public Interest and Pro Bono Attorneys on Wednesday, April 22, from 12:00–1:30 p.m., with generous support from Fried Frank. The goal of this discussion was to encourage participants to think broadly about pro bono opportunities in appellate practice. The conversation explored the wide range of appeals in which pro bono representation is needed, particularly in poverty law, and highlighted the many ways attorneys and non-attorneys can contribute to appellate advocacy. We also examined pipeline challenges in matching interested volunteers with cases and discussed strategies for incorporating appeals into pro bono programs.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.  

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

We are thrilled to welcome these dedicated, knowledgeable, and compassionate advocates to our Board of Directors! Read on to learn more.

These resources are designed to assist various audiences including: general public, educators, employers, etc. The list of resources is provided in multiple languages.

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 2025 Summer Forum Panel on Criminal Law & Death Penalty Panel on Thursday, July 10. Register here to join us!

The legal hurdles faced by individuals living in poverty are vast. They often face uphill battles with issues impacting the most fundamental human needs: family stability, safe housing, food security, fair employment, and freedom from fear and violence. Representation is vital in these areas, and the need is overwhelming. These areas of law often have the highest rate of pro se litigants; when pro bono or public-interest lawyers get involved, these cases also produce some of the most life-changing outcomes for the parties involved. Pro bono lawyers who take on these cases literally can be life-savers.

We are excited to welcome Jamie Raskin, Representative of Maryland’s 8th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives, as the keynote speaker for the 2025 Summer Forum. Rep. Raskin has embarked on a life of national public service centering the progress of all people. His advocacy efforts have prioritized promoting constitutional understanding and strong democratic values in the American legal and political system.

The leadership of the D.C. Bar sets the priorities for the largest unified bar association in the country. The D.C. Bar President, Treasurer, and Board of Governors review and approve D.C. Bar policies, approve the annual budget for the Bar and the Bar Pro Bono Center, decide which committee and task force recommendations to pursue, set governance for the Bar, and much more. Washington Council of Lawyers believes effective Bar leadership will have experience in service to the legal community, have leadership experience with the D.C. Bar, D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center, or voluntary bars and be able to provide strategic guidance to contribute to the Bar’s future.

As the pro bono and public-interest bar association of Washington, DC, the Washington Council of Lawyers’ core tenet is that the legal system should treat everyone fairly regardless of money, position, or power. We continue to fight against the challenges to this core principle from the administration, elected officials, and other actors.

Transitioning out of the federal government means leaving your job with a federal agency, which typically involves assessing your transferable skills, updating your resume to highlight those skills, actively networking within your desired industry, and utilizing career transition programs like the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) to find new employment, either within another government agency or in the private sector.  Here are some general tips you should consider during your transition:

Challenging times bring opportunities – to support our community and fight for what we know is right. Now more than ever, we are equipped and ready to empower advocates and inspire change!