Volunteer at the D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center’s Advice & Referral Clinic (February 2024)

In the new year, discover new ways to do pro bono service in your community! Not sure where to start? The D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center's Advice & Referral Clinic is perfect for those looking to dip their toes in pro bono! Volunteer on Saturday, February 24th to gain experience in serving the D.C. community in a variety of matters! 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 Marion Barry Ave SE. Parking is available. Please arrive at 9:00 am, a brief orientation takes place at 9:15 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 Wednesday, February 7 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.

Litigation Skills Series: Legal Writing

Every lawyer needs to write well. And, every lawyer can improve their writing skills. Don't miss this opportunity to set yourself up for writing success. Unleash your writing power! Join Litigation Skills Series: Legal Writing with Andrew George, Partner at Baker Botts, and master the art of concise, clear, and powerful communication! Andrew is a highly acclaimed, first-chair trial attorney equally known for his zealous advocacy in the courtroom and for his strategic, quiet advocacy outside of court to resolve his clients’ most sensitive legal problems. An investigator at heart, Andrew painstakingly analyzes every detail of a case and develops intricate legal defenses that are compelling and authentic. He is also an adjunct professor at Georgetown University Law Center. This training is $35 for Washington Council  of Lawyers members and $50 for non-members. Join today for the discounted rate! There are also scholarships available thanks to the generosity of the DC Bar Foundation. Please fill out this scholarship request form. This training is so popular, it's sold out twice. Save your spot today!

Graphic: Racial Justice Series Ending the School to Prison Pipeline

Racial Justice Series: Ending the School to Prison Pipeline: Changing Outcomes and Creating Paths for Success

Black and brown students, particularly with disabilities, are still often more likely than their peers to be suspended or expelled and funneled out of public schools into the juvenile and criminal legal systems. Our panelists discuss how their organizations are promoting systemic reforms to end disparate discipline practices and policies and foster success for students of color. We will also explore what public interest and pro bono lawyers with or without education law experience can do to sever the pipeline. Our discussion will be led by: Kaitlin Banner, Deputy Legal Director, Washington Council of Lawyers for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs Akela Crawford, Director, Legal Services, Advocates for Justice and Education Seema Gajwani, Special Counsel for Juvenile Justice Reform; Founder & Chief, Restorative Justice Program, DC Office of the Attorney General Henry Floyd, General Counsel at the Daniel Initiative and Washington Council of Lawyers Board Vice-President will moderate the conversation. Thank you to the Greater Washington Area Chapter, Women Lawyers Division, National Bar Association (“GWAC”) and the Washington Bar Association for co-sponsoring this program. Spread the word on social media using #RacialJustice.

Graphic: DC Pro Bono Week 2023 with dates

We the Action Summit 2023

We The Action is excited to host their first Summit for lawyers who want to make a difference! Plan to join them at the Eaton Hotel in Washington, DC, for a day of interactive sessions with your fellow pro bono lawyers from across the country, inspiring fireside chats from legal leaders, live pro bono opportunities, and panels about the most pressing issues facing the nation. They are so excited to bring this community together in person for the first time in October. Check out more about their event below! Three Impactful, In-Person Pro Bono Opportunities! We’re excited to announce that the We The Action Summit will feature three opportunities to collaborate with your peers and make a difference: Volunteer with the Nobel Prize-nominated Florida Rights Restoration Coalition to help people with previous felony convictions restore their right to vote Help the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights assess barriers to voting and the effects of voting rights laws to ensure everyone can cast their ballot in November and beyond Support VECINA as they provide hands on assistance to immigrants seeking protection in the United States Join Us for a Democracy & Voting Rights Panel! The We The Action Summit 2023 will feature a timely panel with leading voting rights organizations! Learn more about the ongoing fight for voting rights, the state of current voting rights litigation, and how lawyers can help defend the right to vote. The panel will feature representatives from: Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights Black Voters Matter Hear from Leading Voices in Reproductive Justice! We’ve heard from lawyers like you that you’re concerned about the ongoing attacks on reproductive freedom nationwide. That’s why we’re excited to announce that the We The Action Summit will feature a panel from organizations on the front lines of the fight for reproductive justice about how lawyers can make a difference! The panel will feature representatives from: If/When/How Baltimore Abortion Fund Partners in Abortion Care

Graphic: DC Pro Bono Week 2023 with dates

Burke Pro Bono Luncheon

Hosted by Washington Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs Join the Washington Lawyers' Committee to meet their new Legal Director, Ryan Downer, hear about our work from our clients, co-counsel, and staff, and find out how to get involved in civil rights pro bono opportunities. Panel topics will include: The Fight for Decarceration and Bringing People Home Workers' Rights Victory for Virginia Tech Students Spread the word and join the conversation on social media using #DCPBW23.

Graphic: Co-Sponsored Event

Pathways to the Federal Bench: Judicial Nominations 101

Hosted by Alliance for Justice's Building the Bench Initiative As the Biden administration has committed to prioritizing experiential diversity on the bench, we want to ensure the broadest possible pool of attorneys has a comprehensive understanding of the federal nominations process and is as prepared as possible to position themselves as candidates for judgeships. As you know, judges with a background in criminal legal reform are quite underrepresented in our courts, which is why we are organizing this information session for criminal justice-focused attorneys who may be interested in pursuing a federal judgeship. This will be a confidential, off the record conversation to demystify the process, answer questions, and encourage folks to consider a future on the bench. Please join us on Wednesday, October 18 at 3:00 PM EDT over Zoom to hear from speakers Judge Richard F. Boulware, United States district judge of the United States District Court for the District of Nevada, and Judge Jamal Whitehead, United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington. Panelists will give their insights on how judges get nominated, including commissions, timelines, and the ABA process, as well as discuss how judicial candidates should work with the White House, Senate (or in some cases House) offices, Department of Justice, and outside organizations. We are excited to cohost this event along with the Washington Bar Association, the DC Bar, and the Hispanic Bar Association of DC. Please reach out to Mike Salamon at mike.salamon@afj.org if you have any questions.

Building Up In-House Pro Bono Partnerships and Opportunities

Hosted by the Pro Bono Institute In-house pro bono continues to thrive and mature. Come learn how legal departments engage in pro bono, often in partnership with legal services organizations and law firms. You’ll hear perspectives from pro bono leaders at corporate legal departments, as well as pro bono leaders at law firms and legal services organizations that partner with legal departments. The panel will be moderated by: Nihad Mansour, Assistant Director, Law Firm Project, Pro Bono Institute Alyssa Saunders, Director, Corporate Pro Bono, Pro Bono Institute The panelists will include: Irfana Anwer, Managing Pro Bono Attorney, Ayuda Kelsey Bynum, Executive Administrative Coordinator, Pepco Holdings Lisa Dewey, Pro Bono Partner, DLA Piper LLP Autumn M. Hunter, Associate General Counsel & Managing Director, Bank of America Lisa B. Luftig, Assistant General Counsel, Exelon Business Service Company Jason Z. Qu, Sr. Managing Attorney for Nonprofit & Small Business Legal Assistance Programs, D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center Join the conversation at #DCPBW23!

Advice & Referral Clinics for Veterans

Hosted by the Veterans Consortium Pro Bono Program In celebration of Pro Bono Week, The Veterans Consortium (TVC) is partnering with local volunteers and DC area law students to hold two, one-day pop-up legal clinics to serve the needs of veterans. Two clinics will be held via a virtual platform and one clinic is in-person. Clinics: Advice & Referral Clinic for Women Veterans Tuesday, October 24 10:00 am - 4:30 pm ET Virtual Clinic Legal Advice & Referral Clinic for All Veterans Tuesday, October 24 10:00 am - 2:30 pm Virtual Clinic Friday, October 27 10:00 am - 2:30 pm ET DC VA Medical Center (50 Irving St NW) Lawyer volunteers - email Chesley Roberts at chesley.roberts@vetsprobono.org. Only female attorneys are allowed to volunteer for the women’s clinic. Student volunteers sign up here - https://www5.apptoto.com/b/fridayvetsclinic/#form. There is only 1 student left for the Tuesday, October 24th clinic. Spread the word on Twitter (X), Instagram, and Facebook using #DCPBW23!

Small Business Brief Advice Clinic

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.

Algorithmic Justice Part 2: Legal Tools and Strategies to Navigating Automated Decision Making

Join us for our hot topics panel, Algorithmic Justice Part 2: Legal Tools and Strategies to Navigating Automated Decision Making . This panel is a continuation of a conversation that began as a part of our Racial Justice Series. The first part discussed how algorithms appear in the law and ways they have and may continue having a negative impact on the lives of those they affect. Part two will dive further into the tools and strategies that exist in the law and ways we may improve what's available to lawyers through legislation and advocacy. This panel consists of litigators, legislators, and analysts who have their finger on the pulse of this issue. Our panel is moderated by Bardia Bastin and Sébastien Monzón Rueda and includes: Grant Fergusson (EPIC), Kevin de Liban (Arkansas Legal Aid), Samantha Gerleman (AARP Foundation), and a representative from D.C.'s OAG's Office. Spread the word and join the conversation on social media using #DCPBW23.

Graphic: DC Superior Court Open House

D.C. Superior Court Open House

Have you ever been to D.C. Superior Court?  Have you met a Superior Court Judge? Do you want to help DC residents of limited means in cases involving eviction, domestic violence or domestic relations? Join us for a D.C. Superior Court Open House where representatives from legal services organizations and experienced pro bono counsel will introduce you to one of the Court’s high-volume branches. You’ll 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 visit the Domestic Relations Branch, the Domestic Violence Division, or the Landlord and Tenant Branch. Please note this event involves a moderate amount of standing and walking inside and outside.  If attendees have any accommodation needs or questions, please contact Jodi Feldman at Jodi.Feldman@DCCSystem.gov. Spread the word and invite a friend. We look forward to welcoming you!

Pro Bono Goes Green: Finding Pro Bono Work that Helps the Environment

This year has seen everything from haze to hurricanes. Like us, you may want to know how to use your legal expertise to make a positive impact on climate change and environmental justice efforts. Our panel of experts will discuss how you can make a difference for the environment through litigation, advocacy, hands-on non-legal volunteer opportunities, and more! You will leave with tangible ideas and practical ways you can get involved! Our panel will be moderated by Fiona Herzig, Juris Doctor Candidate, Pace University and our speakers includes: Lawrence Pittman - Assistant Regional Counsel - EPA Region 6 Kristine Perry, Staff Attorney, Environmental Law Institute Samuel Krauss, Litigation Fellow, Animal Legal Defense Fund Spread the word and join the conversation on social media using #DCPBW23.

Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) DC Office Introduction and Open House

Please visit KIND’s DC Field Office at 1411 K Street NW, Suite 200, Washington DC 20005 for an open house and introduction to KIND’s work and pro bono opportunities representing unaccompanied immigrant children! Learn more about the U.S. immigration system, getting advocacy experience, and providing valuable pro bono legal representation for a vulnerable child facing deportation. Lunch will be provided. Space is limited, so please register if you plan to attend!

Paths to Special Immigration Juvenile Status (SIJS) Relief in DC

Join KIND's DC Field Office for a webinar for a discussion regarding two primary paths to SIJS through the DC Superior Court. We will provide a brief overview of SIJS, review parental and third-party custody proceedings, and discuss the new DC Vulnerable Youth Guardianship (VYG) Protection Act. We will provide practice guidance on preparing pleadings,  filing in the Family Court of the DC Superior Court, and considerations for working with unaccompanied youth and their families. Spread the word and join the conversation on social media using #DCPBW23.

Going Public, Staying Public

Pursuing a career in public interest allows advocates to support their community through direct, meaningful work. Now that student loan payments are starting again, how can those public interest attorneys continue doing incredible work while enjoying their life and paying back their loans? This is what we will discuss at Going Public, Staying Public, a candid conversation on navigating law school loans on a public interest salary. Our discussion will be moderated by Jennifer Tshirch (Georgetown Law) and our panel of experts includes: Stephanie Johnson, Director of Externships and Public Interest Programming, Howard University Aoife Delargy Lowe, Vice President of Law School Engagement and Advocacy, Equal Justice Works Deborah Cuevas Hill,  Supervising Attorney, Legal Aid DC Marissa LaVette, Assistant Staff Counsel, Center for Pro Bono, American Bar Association Spread the word and join the conversation on social media using #DCPBW23.

It Takes A Village: Highlighting the Value of Pro Bono Representation in Family Law

Hosted by Children’s Law Center, D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center, Mother’s Outreach Network, and Rising for Justice. Please join us for a lively panel discussion on the need for pro bono representation in cases impacting families. This panel will discuss challenges individuals face in securing representation and dispel myths about who our clients are. Panelists will share their experiences representing parents, third-party caregivers, and the best interests of children. We’ll also be joined by D.C. Superior Court Judge Wellner who will share his view from the bench. Come learn why access to justice in family law means everyone has a lawyer. Attendees will receive information about how they can get involved, ranging from limited scope to extended representation. Registrants will receive a Zoom link in advance of the event. Our discussion will be moderated by Jen Masi (Children’s Law Center) and participants will hear from the below panelists: Amanda Henderson (Rising for Justice) Jenadee Nanini (D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center) Melody Webb (Mother’s Outreach Network) The Honorable Steven Wellner (D.C. Superior Court) Spread the word and join the conversation on social media using #DCPBW23.

D.C. Superior Court Open House

Have you ever been to D.C. Superior Court?  Have you met a Superior Court Judge?  Do you want to help DC residents of limited means in cases involving eviction, domestic violence, domestic relations, debt collection, or housing conditions. Join us for a D.C. Superior Court Open House where representatives from legal services organizations and experienced pro bono counsel will introduce you to one of the Court’s high-volume branches. You’ll 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. On October 24, you can choose  to visit the Domestic Relations Branch, the Domestic Violence Division, the Landlord and Tenant Branch, the Housing Conditions Calendar, or the Debt Collection Calendar. On November 2, you can choose to visit the Domestic Relations Branch, the Domestic Violence Division, or the Landlord and Tenant Branch. Want to visit two different courts? Join us for both days! Please note this event involves a moderate amount of standing and walking inside and outside.  If attendees have any accommodation needs or questions, please contact Jodi Feldman at Jodi.Feldman@DCCSystem.gov. We look forward to welcoming you! Spread the word and join the conversation on social media using #DCPBW23.

DC Pro Bono Week Expungement Clinic

Please join us for an in-person limited scope expungement clinic to help low-income DC residents seal their criminal records on October 25th from 9am -12pm at Fried Frank. Having a criminal record can negatively impact a person's ability to gain employment, pursue education opportunities, and their overall mental health. Sealing eligible records can help people pursue a much needed fresh start. Volunteers will work with clients from Christian Legal Aid of DC (CLADC) to gather relevant background information to be included in their motions to seal. We will provide training the morning of the clinic and will have CLADC staff available to answer any questions throughout the day. We welcome lawyers, paralegals, and law students to join us. All business professionals will be paired with a licensed lawyer. There is limited space available. We look forward to seeing you there! Spread the word and join the conversation on social media using #DCPBW23.  

NVLSP Veterans Discharge Upgrade File Review Project Presentation

The National Veterans Legal Services Program (NVLSP) will present a one hour training on discharge upgrades and NVLSP’s limited scope discharge upgrade file review project. This limited scope pro bono opportunity enables volunteers to review and screen the files of veterans who have applied to NVLSP for pro bono assistance with a discharge upgrade. NVLSP’s Lawyers Serving Warriors® discharge upgrade program assists veterans in applying to upgrade their characterization of service, for example from “Other Than Honorable” (OTH) to a more favorable characterization such as “Honorable” or “General (Under Honorable Conditions)”. A discharge upgrade may help veterans receive VA benefits and health care, improve employment opportunities, and restore reputation and self-esteem. Many veterans served through this project have Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injuries (TBI), or other mental health conditions that are related to military service. Many veterans served through this program are survivors of Military Sexual Trauma. NVLSP screens every applicant to its discharge upgrade program before referring the matter to a pro bono partner for full representation. The file review project tasks volunteers with conducting a preliminary screen by reviewing and analyzing the files of clients who have applied for a discharge upgrade so that NVLSP screening attorneys are able to review the files more quickly. This project is primarily administrative in nature and can be completed by attorneys or non-attorneys alike. Pro bono volunteers create a Word table or Excel spreadsheet cataloging the client files and return the file review work product to NVLSP within about one month of acceptance of the matter. The project is remote and can be completed anywhere. Pro bono volunteers will agree to abide by the NVLSP confidentiality agreement. The estimated time commitment is 10-15 hours per project, and volunteers may work in teams. NVLSP’s DC pro bono week presentation is open to all. However, government attorneys may not accept NVLSP discharge upgrade file review matters and NVLSP discharge upgrade file review pro bono opportunities are limited. Spread the word and join the conversation on social media using #DCPBW23.

Meeting Our Clients Where They Are: Serving Families East of the Anacostia River

Hosted by Children's Law Center at the Children's Health Center - Anacostia This event will provide participants with an opportunity to meet and engage in our client community.  CLC staff will discuss their legal services work east of the Anacostia River and the importance of pro bono in serving D.C. neighbors.  Participants will hear about CLC’s medical-legal partnership, 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.  Space is limited. Spread the word and join the conversation on social media using #DCPBW23.

Justice for All: Bridging the Gap Between Pro Bono & Low Bono Services

Join us on Friday, October 27, from 12:00-1:30 pm via Zoom to learn more about the broad landscape of legal services in the District of Columbia. Pro bono and public interest lawyers need to know where they can refer clients who earn too much to qualify to receive free legal services, and low bono lawyers need to know about resources that can help clients of all income levels. This fast-paced introduction to the work of several District legal services providers will put the facts you need to know at your fingertips! Don't miss this jam-packed hour of useful information! Spread the word and join the conversation on social media using #DCPBW23.

Graphic: Justice Impact Awards Recipients

Justice Impact Awards 2023

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. That is why we are pleased to announce our annual Awards Ceremony will now be known as the Justice Impact Awards – a time for us to come together, recharge our collective batteries, celebrate our accomplishments, commiserate on our challenges, and be inspired. It will continue to be our annual pro bono and public interest celebration. At this year’s ceremony, we will recognize the recipients of these awards: Presidents Award for Public Service Nancy Drane D.C. Access to Justice Commission Legal Services Wes Heppler Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless Government Chris Jennison Federal Aviation Administration Law Firm Ted Howard Wiley Rein LLP Corporate Legal Department Pat McGlone Ullico, Inc. 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! VIRTUAL AUCTION! You can also support our mission of ensuring our justice system treats everyone fairly, regardless of money, position, or power through our virtual auction. Bidding is open now and closes at 8:00 pm ET on Thursday, December 7th. Treat your loved ones (or yourself) with fabulous items sure to brighten their day while doing good! We hope you will Bid Early and Often! A big thank you to our 2023 Justice Impact Awards Sponsors! Champion Arnold & Porter Compass Lexecon Kirkland & Ellis Trailblazer Latham & Watkins Defender Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld Covington & Burling DLA Piper Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP Hogan Lovells Sidley Austin Steptoe Foundation TM Financial Forensics Pioneer AlixPartners ArentFox Schiff Cleary Gottlieb Crowell & Moring Dechert You can also honor this year's award recipients by sponsoring the Justice Impact Awards. For more information, please contact our Executive Director, Christina Jackson, at cjackson@wclawyers.org or 202-451-8129. Share the news on social media using #JusticeImpactAwards23!

Graphic: Litigation Skills Series Exhibits

Litigation Skills Series: Exhibits & Evidentiary Foundations

Moving exhibits into evidence through objections and roadblocks is an art that is learned through practice. Weaving through evidentiary minefields and strategizing in real time to preserve the record and uphold your case can be a fraught feat. Building a working understanding of the process is vital to be able to plan ahead and confidently respond to hurdles both expected and unexpected. Learn how to enter evidence at trial and navigate potential objections you might get or want to make with Litigation Skills Series: Exhibits & Evidentiary Foundations. Through lecture and demonstration, litigation experts will teach the basics of admitting evidence—including business records, charts, photos, ledgers, drawings, letters, emails, social media posts, and other documents. The course will be a hands-on presentation where we will learn and practice the most common evidentiary issues through demonstration and audience participation. This training is appropriate for public-interest, law firm, in-house, and government lawyers, as well as law students who have taken evidence and have trial-practice or mock-trial experience. The Exhibits & Evidentiary Foundations faculty include: Kate Oler, Special Master on the United States Court of Federal Claims Greg Lipper, LeGrand Law PLLC CLE credit for this training is: 2.0 CA general, 2.1 NJ general, and 2.0 NY general. There may be reciprocal in other jurisdictions. Scholarships are available thanks to the generosity of the D.C. Bar Foundation. To apply for a scholarship, please complete this online scholarship form.

Graphic: Litigation Skills Series Mediation

Litigation Skills Series: Mediation

SOLD OUT! Waitlist Available. We are excited to again offer our Mediation Skills Training on Tuesday, October 10, from 12:00-3:00 pm. Mediation is an important skill to learn as it can effectively resolve disputes with minimal costs and significant advantages to both parties in a wide variety of types of cases. The training begins with a presentation focused on mediation and negotiation theory. Stephen Altman,  principal of Altman Dispute Resolution Services, is an accomplished negotiator, mediator, and litigator who has resolved multi-million-dollar government-commercial disputes and diverse civil conflicts.  He is a mediator for the DC Superior Court and the US Court of Appeals for DC and teaches courses in negotiation. Stephen has worked with government agencies, commercial enterprises, and non-profit organizations. He will explore tips for effective client preparation, using leverage in negotiations, and identifying the Best Alternative to a Negotiated Agreement (BATNA). Then, each participant will have the opportunity to participate in two different mock mediation sessions of a typical landlord/tenant case. In one mediation, participants will play the role of the lawyer representing one of the parties, and in the other, they will play the role of the client. The meditations will be conducted by experienced mediators, including from the Multi-door Dispute Resolution Division of the D.C. Superior Court. This is not a CLE training. Seats at this training are limited, so save your spot today!

Graphic: Best Practices in Pro Bono Praising Pro Bono

Best Practices in Pro Bono: Praising Pro Bono: Unpacking the Relationship Between Recognition and Access to Justice

There are many ways to praise pro bono – from newsletters to annual galas.  Pro bono volunteers may receive praise from their peers and various external partners.  How does this recognition impact the volunteer, their organization, and broader access to justice initiatives?  How can praising pro bono help retain current volunteers and recruit new volunteers?  Join this panel to discuss the relationship between praise and pro bono culture as well as tackle the underlying tensions inherent in centering the volunteer versus those served. We'll hear from: Susie Hoffman, Public Service Partner, Crowell & Moring LLP Victoria N. Lynch-Draper, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Manager, Wiley Rein LLP Darryl Maxwell, Director, Nonprofit & Small Business Legal Assistance Programs, D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center Cheryl Zalenski, Counsel, Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service and Director, Center for Pro Bono, American Bar Association Our discussion will be moderated by Jen Masi, Pro Bono Director, Children’s Law Center. All who coordinate a pro bono program at a law firm, government agency, in-house legal department, or legal services provider are welcome! Best Practices is free to attend, but registration is required, and donations are encouraged to support our programs! RSVP today and invite a friend or colleague to join you!

Graphic: Fall Kickoff 2023

Fall Kickoff 2023

Our annual Fall Kickoff is the first event of our new board year. Join us for food, drink, and the chance to build a stronger public-interest community. At this casual happy hour, you can learn about how to get involved in our work, meet our new board members,  and mingle with other members of the pro bono and public-interest community. Don't miss this chance to see old friends and make new public-interest connections, including our new board members!  You also can join one of our standing committees, learn about our trainings and programs, and sign up for upcoming events. Our Fall Kickoff is free, thanks to our hosts Goodwin Procter. We hope you will attend, and invite friends to join you!  Spread the word!  #FallKickoff23

Graphic: Summer Lunch & Learn Part 2

Summer Lunch & Learn: Navigating the Invisible Barrier to Justice Part 2

This event is co-sponsored by Amara Legal Center and NVRDC. Join us for a two-part series on navigating the invisible barriers to justice that clients experience when seeking to exercise their legal rights. These introductory discussions will give insight into the client experience when they try to navigate the legal system after experiencing a lifetime of trauma or one extremely traumatic event. Being mindful of centering your client takes practice and can be tricky to navigate. Join us for this candid discussion to see examples and ask questions about assisting clients with trauma and experiencing trafficking in a safe environment with experts from the legal field. Part Two will focus on identifying human trafficking and sex trafficking as underlying issues in any practice area. The goal of this training is to familiarize all legal and paraprofessionals with the signs of trafficking and how to respond when navigating the client relationship and supporting their client holistically. This panel will take place Wednesday, August 16 from 12:00 to 1:00 pm. Both sessions are appropriate for new and experienced attorneys, pro bono professionals, law students, and other legal professionals such as paralegals and legal assistants that participate in the intake and fact-collection process of a case. Join our conversation on social media using #LunchLearn.

Summer Lunch & Learn: Navigating the Invisible Barrier to Justice Part 1

This event is co-sponsored by Amara Legal Center and NVRDC. Join us for a two-part series on navigating the invisible barriers to justice that clients experience when seeking to exercise their legal rights. These introductory discussions will give insight into the client experience when they try to navigate the legal system after experiencing a lifetime of trauma or one extremely traumatic event. Being mindful of centering your client takes practice and can be tricky to navigate. Join us for this candid discussion to see examples and ask questions about assisting clients with trauma and experiencing trafficking in a safe environment with experts from the legal field. Part One will cover initial contact with a client, whether that be with a paraprofessional, first-time lawyer, or pro bono volunteer. This panel will kick off with a roleplay exercise that illustrates common examples. Our panel will roleplay the scenario and then move into a discussion on identifying and responding to trauma at the point of first contact. This panel will take place Wednesday, July 19 from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm. Part Two will focus on identifying human trafficking and sex trafficking as an underlying issue in any practice area. The goal of this training is to familiarize all legal and paraprofessionals with the signs of trafficking and how to respond when navigating the client relationship and supporting their client holistically. This panel will take place Wednesday, August 16 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM. Both sessions are appropriate for new and experienced attorneys, pro bono professionals, law students and other legal professionals such as paralegals and legal assistants that participate in the intake and fact collection process of a case. Join our conversation on social media using #LunchLearn.

Volunteer at the D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center’s Advice & Referral Clinic (November 2023)

DC Pro Bono Week always inspires creative ways to get involved! We hope it's inspired you to discover pro bono opportunities like the D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center's Advice & Referral Clinic! Volunteer on Saturday, November 18th to gain experience in serving the D.C. community in a variety of matters! 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. New for this clinic, we are also meeting at the D.C. Bar Building, at 901 Fourth St NW. Please arrive at 9:00 am, a brief orientation takes place at 9:15 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, November 9th 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.

Summer Intern/Summer Associate Social Hour

Take a break! Join other public-interest-minded lawyers, summer associates, summer interns, and law students for a well-deserved opportunity to connect. We will discuss expectations for a successful summer and whatever else is on your mind. The Summer Happy Hour will be held at Penn Quarter Sports Tavern. PQST is located at 639 Indiana Ave NW. Across from the Archives-Navy Memorial Metro Stop (Green & Yellow Lines), or just three blocks from the Gallery Place-Chinatown Station (Green, Yellow, & Red line), or just three blocks from the Federal Triangle Station (Blue, Orange, & Silver lines). Metered parking is available on the surrounding streets.

Back To Top