WASHINGTON COUNCIL OF LAWYERS

Lawyers hold leadership positions across many segments of American society -- not only in law firms, corporate legal departments, and public interest organizations, but in public service, business, academia, and a variety of non-profit organizations. But unlike other disciplines, the law profession does not adequately prepare its leaders. In order to be prepared for leadership roles, lawyers must look for opportunities for growth from the very beginning of their careers. During this discussion, we will explore the basics of leadership for lawyers, such as the characteristics that make for strong leaders. We will also discuss leadership styles in various settings and how to plan for leadership development. It's never too early to start developing leadership skills. Jim Sandman teaches Leadership in Law at the University of Pennsylvania Law School. Prior to joining Penn Law full-time in 2020, he was President of the Legal Services Corporation, General Counsel of the District of Columbia Public Schools, Managing Partner of Arnold & Porter, and President of the District of Columbia Bar. He also serves on Washington Council of Lawyers' Honorary Board. Follow the conversation on social media using #LawLeadership.

Our pro bono clients entrust us to share their stories – whether to win their case before a judge, to recruit a volunteer to handle their case, or to promote our pro bono programs.  How can we share these compelling, often extremely personal narratives in a responsible manner that respects our clients’ dignity and authenticity, without losing its impact?  When recounting the experiences of clients living in under-served communities of color, how can we best convey important economic and racial justice implications without using stereotypes and overgeneralization as a shortcut?  Our panel of experts will share their best practices for responsible storytelling. Our panelists include: Allyson Boucher, Communications Director, Children’s Law Center  Ciarra Crowe, Senior Communications Coordinator, Children's Law Center Patrick Orciani, Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Legal Aid Society of DC Ben Weinberg, Pro Bono Partner, Dentons Paul Lee, Pro Bono Counsel at Steptoe & Johnson LLP will moderate our discussion. Our conversation will take place from 12:00-1:15 pm ET. Following the panel, you are invited to join a small group breakout room for 15 minutes with one of our panelists for further discussion and networking. Join us to learn, and stay after the panel to continue the conversation! 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!

Grab your lunch and join us (virtually!) on Thursday, July 7, from 12:00-1:30 pm ET for an insightful evaluation of the recently-concluded Supreme Court term with those who know it best - the press who cover the Court. The Court’s formal decisions have been on the front pages—Roe is overruled, almost anyone has a right to carry a handgun in public, football coaches can pray on the 50-yard line—but what happens behind the scenes? The Justices and their clerks won’t talk, but this panel of distinguished journalists who cover the Court will take a behind-the-headlines look at the Supreme Court this Term, including the search for the leaker, the Chief Justice's loss of leadership, the change in how arguments are conducted, and the personalities and interactions among the Justices. Part news, part law, and part conjecture, this panel is sure to be intriguing! Our invited panelists include: Robert Barnes (Washington Post) Mark Sherman (AP) Kimberly Atkins Stohr (Boston Globe) Amy Howe (Howe on the Court) Adam Liptak (New York Times) David Savage (Los Angeles Times) The panel will be moderated by Art Spitzer, Senior Counsel, ACLU-DC. Our conversation will take place from 12:00-1:30 pm ET with an opportunity for networking with attendees from 1:30-2:00 pm ET. The cost of this program is just $15 for Washington Council of Lawyers members, $20 for public interest and government lawyers, and $25 for the general public & law firm attendees. (Join here to receive the discounted member price.) You won't want to miss this discussion of the Supreme Court term! Finally, if you'd like your summer associates or interns to attend and need assistance registering them as a group, email Christina Jackson at cjackson@wclawyers.org. Join and follow the conversation on Twitter using #SCOTUSpress!

Our Summer Pro Bono & Public Interest Forum is an annual tradition that brings together lawyers, summer associates, summer interns, and others interested in using their law degrees to help those in need. It’s also a great way to highlight the importance of pro bono and public-interest work throughout one’s legal career. You may register to attend the Summer Forum anytime before Thursday, June 23. If you missed previous sessions, we will send you links to the recordings of those earlier events.  The forum kicked off with keynote speaker Kristen Clarke, Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Justice. Attorney-General Clarke is a lifelong civil rights lawyer who has spent her entire career in public service. She has a wealth of legal experience including working as a trial attorney in the Civil Rights Division, working on voting rights and election law with the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, serving as head of the Civil Rights Bureau for the New York State Attorney General's Office, and as president and executive director of the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law.  This conversation will take place in person on Wednesday, June 8 from 12:00 – 2:00 pm ET at Arnold & Porter. Doors open at 11:45 am with lunch from 12:00-1:00 pm and AAG Kristen Clarke's remarks from 1:00-2:00 pm. A live stream is also available. The first virtual practice-area panel discussion will follow on Thursday, June 9 from 12:00 – 1:15 pm ET. There will be networking time before and after the panel. Then, over the following two weeks, you will have the opportunity to attend the remainder of the virtual panel presentations where you can learn more about pro bono and public-interest work in DC and all across the country. Each panel will focus on a different practice area, featuring presentations by national and local experts in that legal specialty. The panel topics will include: June 9 – Non-Litigation Pro Bono June 16 – Poverty Law June 16 – Criminal Law & Death Penalty June 23 – Civil Rights & Civil Liberties - 12:00-1:15 pm ET June 23 – Immigration & Human Rights - 1:15-2:30 pm ET The Summer Forum is open to Washington Council of Lawyers members (join), participants in summer associate and summer intern programs, lawyers in law firms, government and public-interest organizations, law students, and others interested in learning more about incorporating public-interest law into their practice. You can attend from anywhere! A single registration provides access to all four days of Summer Forum sessions. And if you miss a session, don't fret. Recordings of each session will be sent to all registered attendees. The cost is just $35 for WCL Members; $45 for Government & Public-Interest Lawyers, Interns, and Individual Law Students; and $65 for Law Firm Lawyers, Summer Associates, Corporate Law Department Lawyers, and Law Department Interns, and the General Public.  Summer Program Coordinators: If you’d like your summer associates or interns to attend, but don’t yet know their names, you can register them as guests (First name: Guest 1, Last Name: Organization Name). Please email Christina Jackson (at cjackson@wclawyers.org) if you need any assistance. Look for updates and join the conversation about the Summer Forum using #SumFo22 on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn!

Our Summer Pro Bono & Public Interest Forum is an annual tradition that brings together lawyers, summer associates, summer interns, and others interested in using their law degrees to help those in need. It’s also a great way to highlight the importance of pro bono and public-interest work throughout one’s legal career. You may register to attend the Summer Forum anytime before Thursday, June 23. If you missed previous sessions, we will send you links to the recordings of those earlier events.  The forum kicked off with keynote speaker Kristen Clarke, Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Justice. Attorney-General Clarke is a lifelong civil rights lawyer who has spent her entire career in public service. She has a wealth of legal experience including working as a trial attorney in the Civil Rights Division, working on voting rights and election law with the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, serving as head of the Civil Rights Bureau for the New York State Attorney General's Office, and as president and executive director of the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law.  This conversation will take place in person on Wednesday, June 8 from 12:00 – 2:00 pm ET at Arnold & Porter. Doors open at 11:45 am with lunch from 12:00-1:00 pm and AAG Kristen Clarke's remarks from 1:00-2:00 pm. A live stream is also available. The first virtual practice-area panel discussion will follow on Thursday, June 9 from 12:00 – 1:15 pm ET. There will be networking time before and after the panel. Then, over the following two weeks, you will have the opportunity to attend the remainder of the virtual panel presentations where you can learn more about pro bono and public-interest work in DC and all across the country. Each panel will focus on a different practice area, featuring presentations by national and local experts in that legal specialty. The panel topics will include: June 9 – Non-Litigation Pro Bono June 16 – Poverty Law - 12:00-1:15 pm ET June 16 – Criminal Law & Death Penalty - 1:15-2:30 pm ET June 23 – Civil Rights & Civil Liberties - 12:00-1:15 pm ET June 23 – Immigration & Human Rights - 1:15-2:30 pm ET The Summer Forum is open to Washington Council of Lawyers members (join), participants in summer associate and summer intern programs, lawyers in law firms, government and public-interest organizations, law students, and others interested in learning more about incorporating public-interest law into their practice. You can attend from anywhere! A single registration provides access to all four days of Summer Forum sessions. And if you miss a session, don't fret. Recordings of each session will be sent to all registered attendees. The cost is just $35 for WCL Members; $45 for Government & Public-Interest Lawyers, Interns, and Individual Law Students; and $65 for Law Firm Lawyers, Summer Associates, Corporate Law Department Lawyers, and Law Department Interns, and the General Public.  Summer Program Coordinators: If you’d like your summer associates or interns to attend, but don’t yet know their names, you can register them as guests (First name: Guest 1, Last Name: Organization Name). Please email Christina Jackson (at cjackson@wclawyers.org) if you need any assistance. Look for updates and join the conversation about the Summer Forum using #SumFo22 on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn!

Our Summer Pro Bono & Public Interest Forum is an annual tradition that brings together lawyers, summer associates, summer interns, and others interested in using their law degrees to help those in need. It’s also a great way to highlight the importance of pro bono and public-interest work throughout one’s legal career. You may register to attend the Summer Forum anytime before Thursday, June 23. If you missed previous sessions, we will send you links to the recordings of those earlier events.  The forum kicked off with keynote speaker Kristen Clarke, Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Justice. Attorney-General Clarke is a lifelong civil rights lawyer who has spent her entire career in public service. She has a wealth of legal experience including working as a trial attorney in the Civil Rights Division, working on voting rights and election law with the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, serving as head of the Civil Rights Bureau for the New York State Attorney General's Office, and as president and executive director of the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law.  This conversation will take place in person on Wednesday, June 8 from 12:00 – 2:00 pm ET at Arnold & Porter. Doors open at 11:45 am with lunch from 12:00-1:00 pm and AAG Kristen Clarke's remarks from 1:00-2:00 pm. A live stream is also available. The first virtual practice-area panel discussion will follow on Thursday, June 9 from 12:00 – 1:15 pm ET. There will be networking time before and after the panel. Then, over the following two weeks, you will have the opportunity to attend the remainder of the virtual panel presentations where you can learn more about pro bono and public-interest work in DC and all across the country. Each panel will focus on a different practice area, featuring presentations by national and local experts in that legal specialty. The panel topics will include: June 9 – Non-Litigation Pro Bono - 12:00-1:15 pm ET June 16 – Poverty Law - 12:00-1:15 pm ET June 16 – Criminal Law & Death Penalty - 1:15-2:30 pm ET June 23 – Civil Rights & Civil Liberties - 12:00-1:15 pm ET June 23 – Immigration & Human Rights - 1:15-2:30 pm ET The Summer Forum is open to Washington Council of Lawyers members (join), participants in summer associate and summer intern programs, lawyers in law firms, government and public-interest organizations, law students, and others interested in learning more about incorporating public-interest law into their practice. You can attend from anywhere! A single registration provides access to all four days of Summer Forum sessions. And if you miss a session, don't fret. Recordings of each session will be sent to all registered attendees. The cost is just $35 for WCL Members; $45 for Government & Public-Interest Lawyers, Interns, and Individual Law Students; and $65 for Law Firm Lawyers, Summer Associates, Corporate Law Department Lawyers, and Law Department Interns, and the General Public.  Summer Program Coordinators: If you’d like your summer associates or interns to attend, but don’t yet know their names, you can register them as guests (First name: Guest 1, Last Name: Organization Name). Please email Christina Jackson (at cjackson@wclawyers.org) if you need any assistance. Look for updates and join the conversation about the Summer Forum using #SumFo22 on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn!

Post-graduate fellowships are a unique way to realize your ideal public interest job. Fellowships allow new lawyers to gain hands-on experience, develop project management skills, and pursue their passions for promoting justice. But the application process is complicated and the programs are competitive. We're here to help you make sense of the process. Our expert panel will walk you through all the steps of the application procedures for the various programs and give you concrete tips for maximizing your chances of landing the fellowship of your dreams. Then, a NALP representative will discuss PSJD and other online resources for finding fellowships. Finally, there will be plenty of time for individualized questions. Our panel includes: Jen Lavallee (moderator), Assistant Director, Office of Public Interest and Community Service, Georgetown University Law Center Kathleen Rubenstein,  Executive Director, Skadden Foundation Jessica Ryckman, Director of Fellowships, Equal Justice Works Stacey K. Eunnae, Esq., Senior Staff Attorney, Advocates for Justice and Education, Inc. Katherine Ventura Cruz, Immigrant Justice Fellow, CAIR Coalition Fellowships 101 is free for Washington Council of Lawyers members (join) and law students of Public Interest Jobs Clearinghouse (PIJC) subscriber law schools; the cost is just $10 for non-members. Not sure if you attend a law school that subscribes to the PIJC? Contact your law school career development office to find out. Join the conversation on social media #Fellowships101.

Join the Women's Bar Association of the District of Columbia for a discussion of the importance of diversity on the bench and the potential impact of the nomination of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the United States Supreme Court. WBA President Bridget Bailey Lipscomb will moderate the discussion. The outstanding panel of speakers, including: The Honorable Bernice Donald, Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals The Honorable Vanessa Ruiz, D.C. Court of Appeals Sophia Nelson, CNN Political & Legal Commentator Tiffany Wright, Director, Civil Rights Clinic, Howard University School of Law Michele Goodwin, Chancellor's Professor of Law, University of California, Irvine School of Law This event is free to attend but pre-registration is required. Washington Council of Lawyers is pleased to co-sponsor this important conversation about diversity and representation on the bench and the legal profession.

IN-PERSON LUNCHEON SOLD OUT! Our Summer Pro Bono & Public Interest Forum is an annual tradition that brings together lawyers, summer associates, summer interns, and others interested in using their law degrees to help those in need. It’s also a great way to highlight the importance of pro bono and public-interest work throughout one’s legal career. We’ll kick off the forum with keynote speaker Kristen Clarke, Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Justice. Attorney-General Clarke is a lifelong civil rights lawyer who has spent her entire career in public service. She has a wealth of legal experience including working as a trial attorney in the Civil Rights Division, working on voting rights and election law with the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, serving as head of the Civil Rights Bureau for the New York State Attorney General’s Office, and as president and executive director of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law.  This conversation will take place in person on Wednesday, June 8 from 12:00 – 2:00 pm ET at Arnold & Porter. Doors open at 11:45 am with lunch from 12:00-1:00 pm and AAG Kristen Clarke’s remarks from 1:00-2:00 pm. A live stream is also available. The first virtual practice-area panel discussion will follow on Thursday, June 9 from 12:00 – 1:15 pm ET. There will be networking time before and after the panel. Then, over the following two weeks, you will have the opportunity to attend the remainder of the virtual panel presentations where you can learn more about pro bono and public-interest work in DC and all across the country. Each panel will focus on a different practice area, featuring presentations by national and local experts in that legal specialty. The panel topics will include: June 9 – Non-Litigation Pro Bono – 12:00-1:15 pm ET June 16 – Poverty Law – 12:00-1:15 pm ET June 16 – Criminal Law & Death Penalty – 1:15-2:30 pm ET June 23 – Civil Rights & Civil Liberties – 12:00-1:15 pm ET June 23 – Immigration & Human Rights – 1:15-2:30 pm ET The Summer Forum is open to Washington Council of Lawyers members (join), participants in summer associate and summer intern programs, lawyers in law firms, government and public-interest organizations, law students, and others interested in learning more about incorporating public-interest law into their practice. You can attend from anywhere! A single registration provides access to all four days of Summer Forum sessions, and recordings of each session will be sent to all registered attendees. The cost is just $35 for WCL Members; $45 for Government & Public-Interest Lawyers, Interns, and Individual Law Students; and $65 for Law Firm Lawyers, Summer Associates, Corporate Law Department Lawyers, and Law Department Interns, and the General Public.  Proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test within the preceding 24 hours is required for in-person attendance. Masks are also required. Summer Program Coordinators: If you’d like your summer associates or interns to attend, but don’t yet know their names, you can register them as guests (First name: Guest 1, Last Name: Organization Name). Please email Christina Jackson (at cjackson@wclawyers.org) if you need any assistance. Look for updates and join the conversation about the Summer Forum using #SumFo22 on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn!

REGISTRATION IS CLOSED Whether in person or virtually, trial advocacy skills are critical to a successful case. The good news is they can be learned. Join us for five jam-packed mornings of Trial Advocacy during the week of Monday, May 2 - Friday, May 6. The training will take place from 9:00 - 11:00 am ET on Monday, from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm ET on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, and from 9:00 - 10:30 am on Friday. View the full training schedule here. We will focus on the four fundamental trial skills: Opening Statements, Direct Examinations, Cross-Examinations, and Closing Arguments.  Each topic will begin with a lecture by an expert trainer and a demonstration by skilled litigators showing how to put the lesson into practice. Then, we will move to small group breakout rooms where each attendee will get up and practice the skill of the day. Breakout room facilitators will offer individualized, constructive feedback to each participant. Attendees should plan to spend some time between each session to prepare for the on-your-feet breakout sessions. Although this year's Trial Advocacy training will take place virtually, it offers the same individualized practice and feedback as our in-person training. It is not a passive Zoom webinar; it will be a cameras-on, interactive training experience. Our fact pattern features a Civil Protection Order case, but you need not know anything about substantive domestic violence law to benefit from the training. For Washington Council of Lawyers members, this comprehensive Trial Advocacy training costs just $115. For non-members, the cost is $215. (Join Washington Council of Lawyers to take advantage of the discounted member rates.) Scholarships are available thanks to the generosity of the D.C. Bar Foundation. To apply for a scholarship, please complete this online scholarship form. CLE credit is pending but not guaranteed in CA, NY, and VA. This session always sells out. Save your seat today!

Join us virtually on May 5, 2022, for a Candidate Forum to hear how candidates for D.C. Attorney General will address access to justice issues if elected to serve the District. All candidates on the June 21 primary ballot have confirmed attendance. Our conversation with the candidates will be moderated by Colby King, columnist for the Washington Post and the deputy editor of the Post's editorial page, and Shelley Broderick, Dean Emerita and Joseph L. Rauh, Jr. Chair of Social Justice at UDC David A. Clarke School of Law. All attendees will have the opportunity to submit questions when they register. We will try to incorporate as many audience questions as possible. You can also tweet questions and comments before or during the forum using the hashtag #DCAGForum22 2022 D.C. Attorney General Candidates (in alphabetical order) Ryan Jones, Esq. www.ryanjonesforag.com       Brian Schwalb, Esq. www.brianfordc.com/       Bruce Spiva, Esq. www.spivafordcag.com       Moderators   Shelley Broderick Dean Emerita and Joseph L. Rauh, Jr. Chair of Social Justice University of the District of Columbia, David A. Clarke School of Law       Colbert King Columnist and Deputy Editor of the Editorial Page Washington Post     We are grateful to the University of the District of Columbia, David A. Clarke School of Law for hosting our discussion. Thank you to our co-sponsors ACLU-DC, American Constitution Society DC, Council for Court Excellence*, DC Access to Justice Commission, D.C. Bar D.C. Affairs Community, D.C. Bar Antitrust/Consumer Affairs Community, DC Consortium of Legal Service Providers, DC Guaranteed Income Coalition, DC Justice Lab, Greater Washington Area Chapter, Women Lawyers Division, National Bar Association, Inter-American Bar Association and the Inter-American Bar Association DC Chapter, Neighborhood Legal Services Program, Mother's Outreach Network, Tzedek DC, and Washington Bar Association, Inc. *Please note that candidate Brian Schwalb is a member of Council for Court Excellence's Board of Directors, where he serves on the Executive Committee and chairs the Nominations Committee. As a long-standing organizational policy, CCE does not make endorsements or issue statements of support in this or any other campaign.  

Presented by: WBADC, Energy and Environmental Law Forum The Biden Administration has strongly focused on mitigating climate change and improving air quality in overburdened communities. What role can enforcement of the Clean Air Act (CAA) play in meeting these twin goals? Mary Greene, the new Director of EPA's powerful Air Enforcement Division, will speak to enforcement priorities, policies, and the role of enforcement in creating clear and enforceable EPA rules. Ms. Greene will be joined by panelists from the Department of Justice, the private sector, and a prominent CAA-focused NGO. Don't miss the opportunity for this discussion of the future of air pollution enforcement. and how new priorities can impact climate change and environmental justice communities. We are pleased to join D.C. Bar EENR Community and the American Bar Association SEER in co-sponsoring this discussion.  As a co-sponsoring organization, Washington Council of Lawyers members can register at the member rate. Please email Christina Jackson at cjackson@wclawyers.org for the registration code.

Impeachment is a critical - but difficult - skill for trial lawyers to master. An effective impeachment can make your case. A botched impeachment can destroy it. Learn both the mechanics and strategies for impeaching witnesses from expert trial lawyers Mary Kennedy and Katherine Oler at this popular Litigation Skills Series CLE training. The course will begin with a lively presentation and top-notch demonstration and end with the opportunity to get on your feet and practice what you have learned. Mary Kennedy is the Training Counsel at Arnold & Porter. She brings decades of experience litigating trials in D.C. Superior Court and numerous hours of teaching Litigation Skills trainings. She was named a Top Lawyer in criminal defense by Washingtonian in 2018. Kate Oler is a Special Master at the Court of Federal Claims. Prior to her appointment to the Court, she served as an Air Force Judge Advocate where she primarily worked in the criminal litigation area. She has held positions as a first-chair felon prosecutor, a defense attorney, and a trial judge. She also brings many years of trial advocacy teaching experience. CLE credit is approved for CA (2.0 General), NJ (2.0 General), and NY (2.0 Skills). VA is pending. Reciprocal credit may be available in other jurisdictions. Scholarships are available due to the generosity of the D.C. Bar Foundation. To apply for a scholarship, please complete this online scholarship form. Space is limited, so register today!

Join the DC Bar Public Interest and Courts Community, Criminal Law and Individual Rights Community, and the DC Affairs Community on Wednesday, March 2, at 12:00 pm ET for an insightful conversation about what it means for students to be and to feel "safe" at school?  How does the presence of police in schools criminalize Black children and youth?  How would young people transform their schools into environments where they can thrive?  Please join us for a panel discussion that includes: Samantha Davis, Executive Director, Black Swan Academy Ceon Dubose, Advocacy & Organizing Fellow, Black Swan Academy Naïké Savain, Policy Counsel, DC Justice Lab Kaitlin Banner, Deputy Legal Director, Washington Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights & Urban Affairs This program organized by the D.C. Bar Public Interest and Courts Community is open to everyone.  Pre-registration for this program is required.  As a co-sponsoring organization, registration is just $15 for Washington Council of Lawyers members (join). To register, simply email communitiesregistration@dcbar.org by COB Tuesday, March 1 with your name, address, that you are a member of a co-sponsoring organization (Washington Council of Lawyers), and the date, time, name of the event. If you are not a member of the D.C. Bar and don't already have a D.C. Bar nonmember account you will need to create one prior to emailing communitiesregistration@dcbar.org. This remote program will be hosted on the Zoom platform. You will receive access information from D.C. Bar Communities staff the afternoon prior to the program. The Zoom access information should not be shared with others, as registration is required. Washington Council of Lawyers is pleased to co-sponsor this opportunity to learn more about what specific changes youth activists are calling for in our DC schools and why.

In this skills-based training, you will obtain the skills necessary to draft effective declarations. We will provide you with the tools you need to understand how and when to use a declaration to tell your client’s story. We will provide practice tips for writing declarations, including how to assist clients with language access needs and those experiencing trauma. Additionally, we will cover a range of advocacy and style considerations when drafting a persuasive declaration.  We will draw on examples from immigration, family law, and housing cases, but the skills and information will be applicable to other legal services practices. During this session, you will have a chance to draft a declaration, collaborate with peers, and receive feedback in order to build your skillset. Our conversation will be led by: Andrea Mangones, Managing Attorney, Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) Jenadee Nanini, Family Law Staff Attorney, D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center This Litigation Skills Series session is free to attend, but registration is required, and donations are encouraged to support our programs! Grab a colleague and reserve your spot today.

We continue to live in uncertain and unpredictable times. Self-care is especially important during times of crisis. Whether you’re a pro bono counsel/coordinator or legal services attorney, you can't expect to be able to provide support and guidance to your pro bono lawyers when you're running on empty. The next Best Practices in Pro Bono session focuses on how crisis management takes a toll on wellness and how pro bono coordinators can engage in the work even if we are not on “the front lines.”  We'll talk about strategies for re-charging your batteries and addressing feelings of overwhelm. When you take time to replenish your reserves, you can better serve others. And the best part is you can share these tips and strategies with your volunteers. Join our panelists from different sectors of the legal community for a dive into how to care for yourself and your volunteers. Niki Irish, Outreach and Education Coordinator, D.C. Bar Lawyer Assistance Program Harmony Jones, Deputy Pro Bono Counsel, Steptoe & Johnson LLP Bonnie Prober, Social Worker/Attorney Murray Scheel, Senior Staff Attorney, Whitman-Walker Legal Services Our discussion will be moderated by Lise Adams, Pro Bono Counsel, Sidley Austin LLP. This session will take place on Thursday, March 3, from 12:00-1:15 pm ET. Following the panel, you are invited to join a small group breakout room for 15 minutes with one of our panelists for further discussion and networking. Join us to learn, and stay after the panel to continue the conversation! 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!

Hosted by Washington Improv Theater Attorneys often find themselves in high-stakes discussions and negotiations that are beyond their full control. Along with their knowledge of the law, to be successful they need the ability to listen fully, engage and persuade, read the room, adapt, and creatively solve problems in the midst of uncertainty and change. Every night improvisers hit the stage, they engage and delight audiences entirely without a script. It’s opening and closing night, all at once. Yet despite the impromptu nature of improv, improvisers still rehearse every week, using improv principles and games to build skills in communication, collaboration, and creativity–core competencies equally critical for legal professionals. In this one-hour workshop, participants will learn and explore new improv-based principles and skills to better engage with clients and colleagues, to negotiate effectively and creatively, and present and persuade successfully, including in high-stakes, off-the-cuff situations. About the Instructor John Windmueller, PhD John Windmueller serves as the Director of WIT@Work, the applied improv and organizational training branch of Washington Improv Theater. John has over two decades of experience designing, delivering, and overseeing professional training and graduate education focused on communication, collaboration, and creativity. In addition to his education and training background, he holds a Ph.D. in Conflict Analysis and Resolution from the Carter School and has extensive experience working as a facilitator and mediator, helping groups and communities have constructive conversations. Along with directing WIT@Work, John performs regularly at WIT and at improv festivals throughout the U.S. Washington Improv Theater has graciously offered 50% off the full ticket price for Washington Council of Lawyers members (join). You will register on WIT's event page. Email Christina Jackson at cjackson@wclawyers.org for the member discount code.

Going Public: Tips on Navigating a Career in Public-Interest Law offers a real-world, tip-filled conversation on how to navigate your way to a fulfilling public-interest career. Our panelists draw from their expansive legal careers spanning all sectors of the legal community, including fellowships, clerkships, big and small law firms, government service, national non-profits, and local legal services organizations. They have walked the walk. Now they will share what they have learned with you! Our panelists include: Jane Garrido, Senior Attorney for International Affairs and USERRA at the U.S. Department of Labor Taryn Wilgus Null, Senior Trial Attorney with the U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, Employment Litigation Section Stuart McPhail, Litigation Counsel at Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington The panel will be moderated by Deborah Birnbaum, Washington Council of Lawyers Membership Committee Co-Chair, and Assistant General Counsel at the Office of the United States Trade Representative. Our government panelists will be speaking in their personal capacities. Drawing on their personal experience and knowledge of the legal community, this panel will share tips helpful to law students planning an immediate launch into a public-interest position and practicing lawyers seeking to move from private practice to a public-interest career. Law student attendees who join Washington Council of Lawyers by Monday, February 28 will be able to participate in an informational interview program for law students, get access to Washington Council of Lawyers' bi-monthly newsletter and Public Interest Jobs Clearinghouse (which provides DC area and national public interest legal positions, post-graduate legal fellowship, policy and academic positions, and internship/law clerk positions), and enjoy additional mentoring opportunities with Washington Council of Lawyers members. The program is free for law students and Washington Council of Lawyers members (join) and just $5 for all others.

SOLD OUT! WAITLIST AVAILABLE No matter where you practice, the ability to convey your message in clear, concise, and persuasive terms can be the key to success. Basics such as sentence structure, word choice, and word placement all affect the structure of your argument and the impact of your writing. The art of legal writing can only be learned through repetition, practice, and feedback. This session will give you the opportunity to discuss an actual piece of writing you submit for review and get direct feedback on the finer points of persuasive legal writing. Join us on Thursday, February 24, from 12:00-1:30 pm ET via Zoom for a continuation of our Litigation Skills Series: Legal Writing. In this Intensive Legal Writing Workshop, you will receive one-on-one feedback on your piece, which will include a redline review and a discussion of how to make your writing more effective. This course is $45 for Washington Council of Lawyers members (join) and $75 for non-members. Scholarships are available thanks to the generosity of the D.C. Bar Foundation. Reach out to Christina Jackson at cjackson@wclawyers.org if you are interested in applying for a scholarship. This session is limited to 16 participants. You will be matched with a reviewer and given instructions via email about how to submit your writing sample on February 11. Don't miss this opportunity to talk with some of the best legal writers in our community about how to make your arguments more effective.

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. Join us for a jam-packed 90 minutes of learning how to write more concisely, clearly, and powerfully for any audience.  Our instructor will be Becky Troth, former D.C. Pro Bono Center Executive Director, Sidley Pro Bono Counsel, and legal writing instructor. Becky joined the D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center in February 2017. Previously, she was pro bono counsel for Sidley Austin’s Washington, D.C., office, where she coordinated the firm’s pro bono activities for 10 years. Before joining Sidley, she was the legal director of the National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty, taught legal writing and appellate advocacy at American University Washington College of Law, and served as a senior attorney in the Appellate Section of the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice. Becky was counsel to U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno from 2000 to 2001. This workshop is free thanks to the generosity of the DC Bar Foundation. This training is so popular, it's sold out twice. Save your spot today!

Our Government Pro Bono Roundtable is the perfect opportunity to learn about doing pro bono work as a government lawyer. Pro bono work can be a rewarding part of a government career; you just need to be familiar with the resources, policies, and strategies that allow you to do the work effectively. At this lively discussion, you'll learn about established pro bono programs for government lawyers. Our pro bono experts will share why pro bono work is meaningful to them, tips for managing your schedule and finding the support you need, and info about the many different types of pro bono work available to government lawyers. Our panel will include: Nichelle Johnson Billips, USAID Kate Hudson, U.S. Government Accountability Office Jonathan Jacobson, U.S. Department of Justice Laura Klein, Pro Bono Program Manager, U.S. Department of Justice The panel will be moderated by Prianka Sharma, Office of Advocacy, U.S. Small Business Administration, and Washington Council of Lawyers board member.  The government lawyer panelists will share their experiences from their personal perspectives in their individual capacities, and will not be speaking on behalf of their agencies. Join us to find out how you can dive into pro bono work as a government lawyer!

Public-interest and pro bono lawyers often interact with clients and witnesses who have experienced trauma. Learning about the science of trauma can help you be a more effective advocate. Understanding what your client may be feeling makes you a more compassionate lawyer. Gaining skills for appropriately interviewing people who have experienced trauma can help you get the information you need to build a strong case while also minimizing the risk of re-traumatizing your client or witness. The training will be conducted by Bridgette Stumpf, Executive Director, Network for Victim Recovery of DC. For over a decade, Bridgette has spent her legal career advocating to ensure those impacted by crime are afforded meaningful rights and access to supportive services to mitigate the negative effects of trauma post-victimization. As a certified Police Instructor, Bridgette has trained at several Maryland academy and Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia in-service trainings on topics such as Trauma Responses, Instructor Liability, Victims’ Rights, Elder Abuse, Sexual Assault on Campuses, and Domestic Violence Awareness. Bridgette is currently an adjunct professor at the University of Maryland University College, where she teaches the Study of Victimology. Join us on Tuesday, December 7, at 12:00 pm ET via Zoom to learn more about trauma-informed interviewing and how to fine-tune your techniques. The training will take place from 12:00-1:00 pm, and will be followed by 15 minutes of small group breakout room discussions. Join us to learn, and stay to connect! We are grateful to the generosity of the D.C. Bar Foundation for their support of this training.

The Muslim Travel Ban. COVID-19. Immigrant children at the border. The impending tidal wave of evictions. Afghan Refugees. Hurricanes, earthquakes, wildfires. Just when one crisis ends, it seems like another dominates the headlines. Pro bono volunteers are moved to take action. Pro bono coordinators are pressed to set up systems to bring legal help to people in need quickly. The next Best Practices in Pro Bono session focuses on how to best utilize pro bono in response to a crisis. What are the steps to take to mobilize volunteers quickly? How can you respond effectively without neglecting the rest of your pro bono program? What other community partners should we consider in our response? Is it sometimes better to just wait? Join our panelists from different sectors of the legal community for a deep dive into how pro bono coordinators can tap the power of volunteers to provide help in crisis situations. We will hear from: Jenna Gilbert, Director of Refugee Representation, Human Rights First Karen Grisez, Public Service Counsel, Fried, Frank, Harris Shriver & Jacobson LLP Gabriella Lewis-White, Associate Director, Housing, D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center The conversation will be moderated by Paul Lee, Pro Bono Counsel, Steptoe & Johnson LLP. Our panel discussion will take place on Monday, November 15, from 12:00-1:15 pm ET. Following the panel, you are invited to join a small group breakout room for 15 minutes with one of our panelists for further discussion and networking. Join us to learn, and stay after the panel to continue the conversation! 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!

The effects of structural and institutional racism are pervasive in the lives of many low-income people of color and often manifest in the legal challenges they face.  Working to understand ​the ways in which systemic racism shapes our clients' lives is critical to providing responsive and comprehensive legal services. Our next installment of the Racial Justice Series is designed to give perspective on how a person’s race and lived experience affect their legal case. We will explore ways in which attorneys and advocates can better assist their clients of color by understanding the full context in which their legal matter arises, approaching cases with cultural humility, and recognizing and working to overcome the power differential inherent in legal representation. Our esteemed panel includes: June Crenshaw, Executive Director of the Wanda Alston Foundation and member of the Diversity Committee for the DC Victim Assistance Network Aida Fitzgerald, Senior Staff Attorney in the Public Benefits Law Unit of the Legal Aid Society of the District of Columbia Ted Howard, Pro Bono Partner at Wiley Rein The conversation will be moderated by Dawn Williams, Assistant Attorney General with the Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia. Law Students: Contact your law school's Career Development Office to find out if your school subscribes to the PIJC and to get the registration code. Thank you to the Inter-American Bar Association, Greater Washington Area Chapter, Women Lawyers Division, National Bar Association ("GWAC"), and the Washington Bar Association for co-sponsoring this program.

Sponsored by American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) DC Chapter, Catholic Charities, and Equal Justice Works As we do every year, the AILA DC Chapter Pro Bono committee is partnering with Equal Justice Works to take part in DC’s Pro Bono week and provide a Virtual Citizenship Workshop.  This year we are working with Catholic Charities of DC (CCDC).  We are seeking volunteer attorneys to assist with this year’s workshop.  As with every year, you will be partnered with a law student and together you will complete the N-400 for the client which is passed to CCDC to complete the filing.  The workshop with be held via Zoom and training will be provided by CCDC.  The workshop will be held Saturday, October 23, 2021, from 9:00 am- 12:00 pm. If interested, please send an email to Lance Conklin at lance@conklinimmigration.com.

Join Superior Court Judge McLean and representatives from three different DC Pro Bono mentoring programs in a discussion covering the logistics of committing to doing pro bono in a virtual age.  The panel includes a conversation with a Superior Court Judge and experienced pro bono volunteers offering first-hand knowledge about doing pro bono virtually/socially distant in 2020/2021. We hope this will be an interactive dialogue, providing participants an opportunity to ask the questions that will help them better understand not only what pro bono looks likes now but also which pro bono program may be a good fit for their interests and capacity. Our conversation leaders include: Judge McLean, Associate Judge, Domestic Relations Calendar, District of Columbia Superior Court Rebecca Lindhurst – Managing Attorney, Bread for the City John W. Zipp – Associate, Covington & Burling Lauren Sullivan – Staff Attorney, Kids in Need of Defense, Inc. Joanne Hawana – Member, Mintz Sylvia Soltis - Senior Staff Attorney, Legal Aid Society of the District of Columbia Tiffany Cheung - Associate, Baker Botts, LLP  The discussion will be moderated by Sandra Zegarra, a Direct Representation Attorney with KIND.

Sponsored 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 three, one-day pop-up legal clinics to serve the needs of veterans. These clinics will be held simultaneously via a virtual platform. Locations: Legal Advice & Referral Clinic, By Appointment Only Advice & Referral Clinic for Women Veterans, By Appointment Only Discharge Upgrade Clinic, By Appointment Only Volunteers are needed for the Legal Advice & Referral Clinic and the Advice & Referral Clinic for Women Veterans. To volunteer, email clinics@vetsprobono.org. And join the conversation on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook using#DCProBono21!

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. Sign up to volunteer at the virtual clinic at the link below. If you have questions about volunteering, please email Christine Kulumani, Staff Attorney, at CKulumani@dcbar.org. And join the conversation on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook using#DCProBono21!

Volunteers will conduct intake interviews with low-income DC residents seeking to seal or expunge their criminal records. Interviewees have been pre-screened by Rising for Justice (RFJ) and Christian Legal Aid of DC (CLA). We strongly encourage all volunteer attorneys to continue their relationships with interviewees by volunteering with RFJ and CLA and agreeing to represent interviewees in their expungement case. Volunteers will need to be available for a quick 20-minute training the week prior on Thursday, October 21st, at 2:00 pm. Information will be provided once you register. No prior expungement experience is necessary! Students and non-attorneys are welcome to volunteer and will be paired with attorneys!