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. Please join us in honoring the 2026 Justice Impact Awards recipients at the Justice Impact Awards celebration on December 3rd!
Thank you to everyone that participated in DC Pro Bono Week this year!! From our fabulous speakers, to our clinic organizers, to our wonderful community for showing up and showing out! This week is not possible without all your efforts. Find resources from all the events this week inside!
We have compiled a list of resources and pro bono opportunities that may be of interest to law students. There are several in election protection - an opportunity that only comes up around election season! Check them out and sign up today so you don't miss out! From the speakers at our Law Student Pro Bono Pathways & Program Event: If you didn't get the chance to attend, check out the recording here, passcode: #T7Tg80+ American Bar Association Commission on Immigration Internships: Spring 2027 Legal Internships Court Observation & Awareness Project Course Country Conditions Teachable Safe City Initial Intake Volunteer Training Washington Lawyers’ Committee’s Workers’ Rights Clinic: Training link Information: https://www.washlaw.org/get-involved/ The Veterans Consortium Pro Bono Program Law Students & Law Clinic Partners (Note: page will be updated next month with applications for our summer internship program) Volunteer Info (Law Students & Law Clinic Partners drop down) Court of Appeals, Veterans Claims Oral Argument Live Stream Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law Volunteer on the Election Protection Hotline Find a pro bono democracy project Join Virginia Election Protection as a Legal Advocate (pro bono eligible): https://www.protectthevoteva.org/LCCRUL or find other opportunities at https://protectthevote.net/volunteer/ Additional Resources and Opportunities: DC Election Accessibility Monitoring Disability Rights DC is seeking volunteers to survey DC vote centers and mail ballot drop boxes for accessibility during early voting and through Election Day. Volunteers will use a short checklist to review accessibility features for voters with disabilities. Date: November 3, 2026 Location: Washington, DC To Sign Up: Review the 2026 General Election Voting Access Sign Up spreadsheet, choose the vote center or ballot drop box you would like to survey, then email Elizabeth Myerholtz at emyerholtz@uls-dc.org. Phone: 202-547-0198 ext. 102 Training: A brief 12-minute training video will be provided after volunteers confirm their participation. Maryland Pro Bono Resource Center Organization Location: Across Maryland Office location: 1500 Union Avenue, Suite 2400, Baltimore, MD 21211 Links: https://probonomd.org/volunteers/ Information: Connects lawyers and advocates to pro bono opportunities based on interest and location. Non-lawyers can assist with interpretation, clinic support, and more. Contains training and matching opportunities. Offers statewide opportunities. Court Watch Montgomery County Organization Location: 8720 Georgia Avenue, Suite 30, Silver Spring, MD 20910 Volunteer activities for the most part take place in all three of Montgomery County's courthouses Links: https://courtwatchmontgomery.org/court-monitoring/ Information: Volunteers begin by observing and filling out data forms in protective order and domestic violence criminal dockets. Volunteers observe judges, interpreters, bailiffs and clerks in each case on the protective order docket. A separate team of volunteers monitors domestic violence criminal cases. Pro Bono Virginia Organization Location: Statewide Platform Links: https://probonovirginia.org/ Information: Offers pro bono trainings with its Pro Bono Academy Matching tools to assist and pair volunteers with opportunities based on skills, experience, interests, and availability Legal Services of Northern Virginia Organization Location: Throughout Northern Virginia Links: https://lsnv.org/volunteer/non-attorney-volunteers/ Information: Opportunity for interpreters, legal clerks to assist with case management and administrative tasks, and paralegal interns to support attorneys. Offers a volunteer questionnaire to match opportunities Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service Organization Location: Based in Baltimore, 201 North Charles Street, Suite 1400, Baltimore, MD 21201 Links: https://mvlslaw.org/ Information: Offers law students hands-on public interest experience, networking, and career support Offers opportunities such as: Community Advocacy Network Trainings and webinars Clinic and Event Opportunities Internships Victims Rights Center Organization Location: Boston, Massachusetts 11 Beacon Street, Suite 520, Boston, MA 02108 Link: https://victimrights.org/make-an-impact/pro-bono/ Information: Offers legal internships with tasks such as Client services Cutting-edge legal research Special projects
Quick Summary: Organizations connect with firms’ orientation programs to provide trainings, share client stories, and uplift pro bono superstars as a way to spark interest in pro bono. As new associates join the firm their pro bono interests are collected and are often matched with existing pro bono matters in the firm to reinforce existing teams. Firms find trainings, impact stories, and clinic opportunities a fantastic tool to spark interest in pro bono. Staying grounded in the needs of the community is the responsibility of everyone involved. Firms shared that pro bono counsel attend conferences, evolve their programs in line with the needs of the community, and maintain relationships in the community. The goal of these connections is to be able to advise the next generation on pro bono needs in the community. While the new associates starting is a great incentive to reconnect with pro bono, it may be time to look throughout the year, as the fall is full! There are so many opportunities to plug into pro bono in the community. Tune into DC Pro Bono Week, stay connected to the DC Courts, and keep an eye out for both on-demand and live trainings from legal service organizations and community partners!
Throughout my life, I have cultivated a love and passion for making resources more accessible to all. In a world that moves so quickly, it can be hard to keep up and I saw what it looked like first hand when folks experienced that struggle. Through my education I learned about the systems that determine the fate of many, economic, legal, political, and more. After graduating from law school, I felt called to support as many people in the public interest legal community as possible.
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.
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.
DC Pro Bono Week Schedule of Events
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!
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!
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.
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!
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!
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.
Join us for an insightful panel event focusing on civil rights and civil liberties through the lens of public interest law and pro bono service. This event brings together distinguished legal experts and dedicated advocates who will share their experiences and perspectives on safeguarding fundamental freedoms and promoting social justice. Discover how pro bono efforts are making a significant impact in the fight for equality and learn about the ongoing challenges and opportunities in the realm of civil rights advocacy. Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with leaders in the field and deepen your understanding of these critical issues. The Civil Rights & Civil Liberties Panel at the Summer Forum on Thursday, July 9. Register here to join the conversation.
When we say pro bono, many think of assisting litigants through navigating the many ins and out of the court system, but that’s not the only place our legal system asks non-lawyers to have an understanding of the law. There are many opportunities for pro bono representation in transactional matters. From setting up businesses to providing tax advice, knowing the right forms and how to fill them out can make all the difference. Trained lawyers can draft wills for veterans, navigate uncontested divorce proceedings, research novel issues, and much more. If you want to support your community but hope to stay out of the courtroom, this is the panel for you! Learn more about the wide-ranging legal issues transactional attorneys can get involved with at our 2026 Summer Forum Panel on Non-Litigation Pro Bono Law on Thursday, July 9. Register here!
Please join us in welcoming Emily Herter as our 2026 Summer Intern. Read on to find out more.
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.
