DC Pro Bono Week 2024: DC Superior Court Open House: Domestic Relations Branch

This event is cosponsored by the Superior Court Committee on Pro Bono & Affordable Counsel, Children’s Law Center, and DC Bar Pro Bono Center. Join us for a D.C. Superior Court Open House where representatives from legal services organizations will introduce you to the Family Court’s Domestic Relations Branch – one of the Court’s high-volume branches where pro bono representation in child custody cases is greatly needed. You’ll observe court proceedings, meet with judges, and learn how you can help families achieve stability and expand access to justice in our community. Pro bono counsel may represent custodial parents, non-custodial parents, or third-party caregivers in child custody matters. They also serve as guardians ad litem (GALs), representing the “best interests” of the children involved. Whether representing a party or serving as a GAL in a custody case, you’ll be helping to secure stability for a family with limited means, as well as enhancing your professional skills. Are you ready to learn more? We look forward to welcoming you! Please note this event involves a moderate amount of standing and walking. If attendees have accommodation needs or questions, please contact Jodi Feldman at Jodi.Feldman@DCCSystem.gov. Spread the word and join the conversation on social media using #DCProBono24.

DC Pro Bono Week 2024: DC Superior Court Open House: Housing Conditions

This event is cosponsored by the Superior Court Committee on Pro Bono & Affordable Counsel, Children’s Law Center, and DC Bar Pro Bono Center. Join us for a D.C. Superior Court Open House where representatives from legal services organizations will introduce you to the Housing Conditions Court– one of the Court’s high-volume branches where pro bono representation is greatly needed to help tenants obtain needed repairs and remediation of housing code violations. You’ll observe court proceedings, meet with judges, and learn how you can help tenants ensure safe housing for them and their families, and expand access to justice in our community. The Housing Conditions Court -- within the Court’s Civil Division -- allows tenants to sue their landlords to obtain needed repairs and ensure that their landlords comply with the D.C. Housing Code. The calendar is intended to be a “problem-solving court” – limited by design and only available to tenants living in rental units who are seeking to enforce compliance with the housing code. Are you ready to learn more? We look forward to welcoming you! Please note this event involves a moderate amount of standing and walking. If attendees have accommodation needs or questions, please contact Jodi Feldman at Jodi.Feldman@DCCSystem.gov. Spread the word and join the conversation on social media using #DCProBono24.

DC Pro Bono Week 2024: DC Superior Court Open House: Domestic Violence Division

This event is cosponsored by the Superior Court Committee on Pro Bono & Affordable Counsel, DC Volunteer Lawyers Project, and Network for Victim Recovery of DC (NVRDC). Join us for a D.C. Superior Court Open House where representatives from legal services organizations will introduce you to the Domestic Violence Division – one of the Court’s high-volume branches where pro bono representation is greatly needed in civil protection order (CPO) cases. You’ll observe court proceedings, meet with judges, and learn how you can help survivors who are seeking protection orders and expand access to justice in our community. The Open House will focus on pro bono opportunities to represent petitioners seeking CPOs. A person can file a petition for a CPO against someone who has committed or threatened to commit an intrafamily offense, sexual assault, sexual abuse, or sex or labor trafficking against them. By providing pro bono representation, you can help protect a petitioner from harm, as well as enhance your professional skills. Are you ready to learn more? We look forward to welcoming you! Please note this event involves a moderate amount of standing and walking. If attendees have accommodation needs or questions, please contact Jodi Feldman at Jodi.Feldman@DCCSystem.gov. Spread the word and join the conversation on social media using #DCProBono24.

DC Pro Bono Week 2024: To AI or Not to AI: Legal Practicalities and Ethical Conundrums of Using AI

Join us for "To AI or not to AI: Legal Practicalities and Ethical Conundrums of Using AI," where a panel of legal experts will delve into the role of AI in modernizing the delivery of legal services. This session will explore the balance between leveraging AI for efficiency and innovation in legal practice and navigating the ethical and legal challenges that come with it, ensuring AI enhances rather than compromises access to justice. [Description generated by AI, refined by humans] The conversation will be moderated by Laura Possessky, Chair of the Science & Technology Law Section of the American Bar Association. Our panelists include: David Greisen, DC Refers Board Member & Chief Executive Officer & Founding Board Member of Open Law Library Joseph Schieffer, CEO, A2J Tech Raymond List, Director of Strategy and Risk Management, D.C. Bar This event is appropriate for folks from law firms, legal service organizations as well as government attorneys, law students, and non-legal support staff! Spread the word and join the conversation on social media using #DCPBW24.

Graphic: New Board Member Headshots collage from top left to bottom left Laurie Ball Cooper Danielle Rowan Bryan Concepcion and Stephanie Troyer

Welcome Our New Board Members!

Join us in welcoming Laurie Ball Cooper, Bryan Concepcion, Danielle Rowan, Stephanie Troyer! We are thrilled to have these incredible leaders join our Board. You can meet our new board members at the 2024 Fall Kickoff on September 25 at 6:00 pm at Goodwin Procter.

Pro Bono Partnerships: Strengthening and Innovating Collaboration

Join us for Pro Bono Partnerships: Strengthening and Innovating Collaboration, part of our Best Practices in Pro Bono series, an engaging and open forum for legal services providers, law firms, and other community members and organizations committed to promoting and increasing pro bono services. This candid conversation will focus on different types of pro bono partnerships and address the opportunities and challenges of such partnerships, exploring innovative solutions for building stronger, more effective collaborations. This panel will delve into the pain points that often hinder successful partnerships, and strategies to mitigate or avoid them. Attendees will gain insights from both sides of the table, sharing experiences and best practices for overcoming obstacles and maximizing impact. Whether you’re looking to refine an existing partnership or explore new ways to collaborate, this event will provide valuable perspectives and actionable strategies to help you advance pro bono initiatives. Our moderator will be Jen Masi, Pro Bono Director at the Children's Law Center, in conversation with: Rwanda Campbell, Pro Bono Manager, Arnold & Porter Lisa Dewey, Pro Bono Partner, DLA Piper Jen Tschirch, Director, Pro Bono Programs, Georgetown Law Kaitlin Banner, Deputy Legal Director, Washington Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs Don’t miss this chance to connect with like-minded professionals, exchange ideas, and contribute to the future of pro bono work.

Fall Kickoff 2024

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!  #FallKickoff24

Litigation Skills Series: Depositions

Depositions can be useful tools in all kinds of cases. A deposition can be an effective and affordable tool for pro bono and public-interest lawyers and their clients. The course will feature a mix of lecture and demonstration with plenty of time for Q&A. We will cover the basics of both taking and defending depositions. Here are some key learning objectives: Understanding Deposition Procedures: Gain a comprehensive understanding of the rules, procedures, and legal standards governing depositions. Effective Questioning Techniques: Learn how to craft and deliver strategic questions to gather valuable information and challenge the opposing party’s testimony. Handling Witnesses: Develop skills to effectively handle different types of witnesses, including hostile or uncooperative ones. Ethical Considerations: Understand the ethical obligations and responsibilities during the deposition process. Deposition Strategy: Develop strategies for preparing clients and deponents, anticipating opposing counsel's tactics, and using depositions to advance your case. We'll discuss such topics as how to frame effective questions, proper use of direct vs. leading questions, personal style, use of outlines, and deposition strategy.  And then we'll turn to defending depositions and discuss how to prepare a witness (both on the facts of the case and on how to be an effective witness) and how to defend the actual deposition.  There will also be a demonstration on taking and defending a deposition in a housing case. Bring your lunch, and join us in learning the basics of how to prepare yourself and your witness for a deposition, what techniques are most effective, and what traps to avoid. The CLE credits for this training are pending. Scholarships are available thanks to the generosity of the D.C. Bar Foundation. Please complete this form to apply for a scholarship.

DC Pro Bono Week 2024 – Preparing Programming, Profiles & More!

It's time to start preparing for DC Pro Bono Week 2024 by planning our programs and profiles! Each year, we publish pro bono profiles in the weeks leading up to Pro Bono Week. We are also preparing events for the annual National Celebration of Pro Bono takes place from October 20th to 26th, 2024!

Graphic: 2024 Summer forum Civil Rights & Civil Liberties panel with dates

Summer Forum 2024: Civil Rights & Civil Liberties Recap

On Thursday, June 27 Washington Council of Lawyers hosted the Civil Rights & Civil Liberties Panel, which covered the current work being done in this area and ways to get involved! The panel was moderated by Amandeep Sidu (co-founder of Sikh Coalition), this was a conversation amongst leaders of 4 public interest or nonprofit organizations regarding their backgrounds, their current work, the challenges in the current legal landscape and more. Antonio is currently at the Legal Defense Fund, however he took a nontraditional pathway to his work. He was a Biglaw associate at Morrison & Forrester, law clerk, Fulbright fellow and worked in Africa and then returned to the U.S. as a law clerk. His experiences with micro-aggressions at Yale University as well as race relations in the legal field led him to the Legal Defense Fund. He’s drawn to issues he’s impacted by. Maria Morris is at the National Prisons Project – ACLU. She did prison work at the Southern Poverty Law Center. She had been involved in human rights work prior to law school. Her passion is focusing on prisoners’ rights issues. There are disability and religious rights issues. Rewarding to do work on such gross human rights violations. Alena Sayo is at the National Disability Rights Network. She was previously a special education teacher. She was a Guardian Ad Litem. She believes that public service is who she is. Janson Wu recently joined the Trevor Project after being at GLAD. Challenges Currently Facing in Current Legal/Judicial Landscape: In prisons, challenges include opioid use disorder treatment, addressing mental health care and the administrative burden For the LBTQ community, the Supreme Court is now a risky place and there is a need to revert back to advocacy on the state level instead of litigating in the courts. However, almost half of the states now ban gender affirming care for youth so advocating on the state level is also challenging. The landscape for the Legal Defense Fund (educational equity, criminal justice, political participation, economic justice) has expanded to pro truth work involving attacks in higher education. There is an intersection between race and queer community. The disability rights movement was hand-in-hand with the civil rights movement. She talked about how it’s still legal in many states to be in sheltered workshops. Institutionalization is making a comeback particularly those who are unhoused. Intersectionality amongst identities is a recurring theme. The Victories Organizations are Seeing: People with disabilities scored a victory during Covid with  access to services and government such as the right to vote independently and privately from home. The same system used by military and Americans abroad were provided to people with disabilities in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts The LQBTQ community saw a victory recently in Rhode Island, which prevents harassment to providers of gender affirming care. In Pennsylvania, young people are now protected from conversion therapy via a recent Executive Order. In the prison reform arena, there was recently a case In Arizona in which it was determined that prisoners under 18 years old could not be in solitary confinement. People in long term solitary confinement dropped by 80%. All of the panelists suggested the following ways for new law school graduates to get involved: Fellowships Development of broad skillsets Policy-related work Be well-versed with outcomes Bar Association committees and getting involved by attending school board meetings. Future of civil rights movement will be in the public narrative.

Best Practices in Pro Bono: Using AI to Further Access to Justice – Where Do We Start? Recap

On July 17th, we hosted a follow-up panel to our previous session on Best Practices in Pro Bono. The last event sparked many questions about leveraging AI to enhance access to justice and the considerations for its responsible use. How can we ensure equity and quality service delivery to clients? This follow-up expert panel delved into these questions and more, providing valuable insights into the ever-changing field of AI.

Managing Student Debt Recap and Resources

On Tuesday, July 16, we gathered virtually for Managing Student Debt. Aoife Delargy Lowe, the Vice President of Law School Engagement & Advocacy at Equal Justice Works. We discussed the many resources and opportunities for repayment support and loan forgiveness available to current borrowers. Our conversation highlighted the below resources, review these resources for how you can become more confident about repaying your student loans.

Supreme Court: View from the Press Gallery Recap

On July 8th, we welcomed a panel of distinguished journalists who have covered the Supreme Court for decades: John Fritze (CNN), Amy Howe (Howe on the Court and contributor to SCOTUSblog), David Savage (Los Angeles Times), Mark Sherman (Associated Press), and Abbie VanSickle (New York Times). Art Spitzer, Senior Counsel for the ACLU-DC, moderated the event. The conversation unveiled the Court both as an institution and a collection of individuals and how journalists cover the Court, particularly highlighting the 2023-24 term. 

Graphic: Co-sponsored event standing people in a circle with hands in the center

Council for Court Excellence Meet the Next Chief Judge Candidates Forum Recap

On Thursday, June 13, 2024, the Council for Court Excellence (CCE) organized a candidate forum for the judges, Hon. Marisa Demeo and Hon. Milton Lee, Jr., who are running for the position of chief judge. The Independent D.C. The Judicial Nomination Commission will ultimately designate the chief judge from among the two applicants. The forum provided an excellent opportunity for members of the bar and the broader community to understand the visions and priorities the Chief Judge candidates have for the Superior Court. This understanding helped inform public comment submissions to the D.C. Judicial Nomination Commission. The candidate forum was moderated by Karen Evans of The Cochran Firm and a member of the Council for Court Excellence Executive Committee. 

Graphic: Summer Forum Keynote with dates, Fatima Goss Graves and picture of Fatima Goss Graves

Summer Forum 2024: Keynote Recap

The 2024 summer forum began on June 20th with keynote speaker Fatima Goss Graves. Fatima is president and CEO of the National Women's Law Center (NWLC), president of the NWLC action fund, and co-founder of the TIME’S UP Legal Defense Fund. She has dedicated her life’s work to issues regarding income security and COVID relief, equal pay, ending sexual harassment and violence, health and reproductive rights, education rights, and workplace justice with a particular focus on outcomes for women and girls of color. Fatima is a nationally recognized leader in the fight for gender justice and is truly an expert in law, policy, and culture change.  

D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center Advice & Referral Clinic (July 2024)

Trying to find a way to fit pro bono service into your schedule? Join us for a rewarding day of service, where your skills can make a significant difference in the lives of those seeking legal guidance and support! Volunteer on Saturday, July 27th 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 DC Bar Office, 901 4th St NW, Washington, DC 20001. Street 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 to participate. The deadline to volunteer is Wednesday, July 17 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. We are currently looking for volunteers in private practice, including solo practitioners and those at firms. IMPORTANT: If you are currently in a government position and would like to volunteer please contact Lara Eilhardt at Lara.Eilhardt@usdoj.gov. If you are currently a law student and would like to volunteer please contact Rachel Lawrence at lawrencera@cua.edu. Thank you!

2024 Summer Forum Preview: Immigration & Human Rights Panel

Our country has long been a place where different cultures, beliefs, and nationalities come together thanks in large part to centuries of immigrants coming to the United States hoping to make a better life for themselves and their families. That dream of a better life still rings true in the hearts of those seeking to immigrate here today. However, for those new to the United States, navigating a foreign legal system can be a treacherous undertaking. That’s where immigration lawyers become essential. 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 2024 Summer Forum Panel on Immigration and Human Rights Panel on Thursday, June 27 from 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm ET. 

2024 Summer Forum Preview: Civil Rights & Civil Liberties Panel

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 is on Thursday, June 27 from 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm ET. Register here to join the virtual conversation. 

Supreme Court: View from the Press Gallery (2024)

As the Supreme Court’s term ends, we'll take a behind-the-headlines look at the Court's work with our panel of distinguished journalists who have covered the Supreme Court for decades. Our panel includes: John Fritze (CNN) Amy Howe (Howe on the Court and contributor to SCOTUSblog) David Savage (Los Angeles Times) Mark Sherman (Associated Press) Abbie VanSickle (New York Times) The panel will be moderated by Art Spitzer, Senior Counsel, ACLU-DC. The cost of this program is $35 for Washington Council of Lawyers members; $45 for public interest & government attorneys as well as interns and law students, and$60 law firm associates, summer associates, and the general public . (Join here to receive the discounted price.) Lunch is provided and the program offers open seating, so please arrive early! We look forward to having you join us for lunch and a fascinating discussion of the recently-concluded Supreme Court term! Finally, if you'd like your summer associates or interns to attend and need assistance registering them as a group, email our Executive Director, Christina Jackson at cjackson@wclawyers.org. Join and follow the conversation at #SCOTUSpress!

2024 Summer Forum Preview: Poverty Law Panel

People living in poverty struggle daily to meet basic needs for themselves and their families. Critical relief: housing, nutrition, health care, fair employment, and protection from violence, often turn not on rights but on access to justice. Often access to justice remain out of reach for many trying to navigate complex rules and requirements. While legal representation can transform an individual’s ability to access what they need to survive and thrive, low-income litigants are the least likely to have an attorney to help them through the legal process. Pro bono attorneys who fill this gap literally save lives. 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 2024 Summer Forum Panel on Poverty Law on Thursday, June 27 from 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm ET. Register here to join the virtual conversation.

2024 Fellowships 101 Recap

On June 3, we welcomed a panel of fellowship directors and student fellows from the Skadden Foundation, Justice Catalyst, and Equal Justice Works to discuss the process of obtaining a fellowship for current law students. For law students pursuing public interest law, fellowships are one of the most effective postgraduate pathways into a career. Our two fellow panelists spoke about their unique exposure to extensive legal experience as well as the combined learning from seasoned professionals and a cohort of attorney fellows. Fellows benefit from the institutional memory of their host organizations, gain access to a public interest alumni community, engage in meaningful work, and receive support as they begin their careers. 

2024 Summer Forum Preview: Non-Litigation Pro Bono Panel

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 impactful opportunities to get involved at our first substantive panel discussion on Wednesday, June 26 from 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm ET. Register here to join the virtual conversation.

Welcome our 2024 Summer Intern, Delphine Gareau!

Meet Our Summer 2024 Intern: Delphine Gareau Delphine is a rising junior at Boston College from Concord, Massachusetts. She is a pre-law student majoring in International Studies with minors in Environmental Studies and Religion and American Public Life. This summer, she is participating in The Fund for American Studies Academic Internship Program, taking economics and public policy courses while interning with WCL. At Boston College, Delphine currently serves as the Student Senate Academic Affairs Committee Chair, a Peer Advisor for the International Studies Department, and the Junior Captain of the Club Equestrian Team. With aspirations for a career in law, she will assist the Washington Council of Lawyers with legal research, events, social media, and writing projects. Welcome to the team, Delphine!

Best Practices in Pro Bono: The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Pro Bono and Access to Justice Recap

On May 23, we welcomed folks from across the legal profession and in the tech world to discuss the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in pro bono service and access to justice. When thinking of AI, many minds go to the newest and hottest technologies like ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot. These are called generative AI, which refers to technologies that can create original content such as text, images, video, and audio. But did you know that AI has been around for a while and lawyers, especially, have been relying on it heavily? When you’re doing a quick Google search or reading through the list of cases suggested in Westlaw, you’re using AI. That older and commonly used version of AI is called predictive AI. Predictive AI looks backwards at an existing data set and predicts outcomes based on that data. 

2024 Summer Forum Preview: Environmental Justice Panel

Environmental law issues impact residents in D.C. and across the country in a variety of unforeseen ways. People in poverty and communities of color are more likely to live in environmentally unhealthy places. Climate change motivates immigration all over the globe. Join us for a summer forum panel discussion about the many ways environmental justice implicates human rights and racial justice. We are excited to hear how legislative advocacy, individual representation, class action and other tools can bring us closer to achieving environmental justice. Learn more about these important topics at our 2024 Summer Forum Panel on Environmental Justice Panel on Wednesday, June 26 from 12:00 – 1:30 pm ET.

2024 Summer Forum Preview: Criminal Law & Death Penalty Panel

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 2024 Summer Forum Panel on Criminal Law & Death Penalty Panel on Wednesday, June 26 from 12:00 - 1:30 pm ET.

D.C. Superior Court Open House: Domestic Violence Division

This event is hosted by D.C Superior Court and Washington Council of Lawyers and co-sponsored by DC Volunteer Lawyers Project and Network for Victim Recovery of DC (NVRDC). 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 the Domestic Violence Division – one of the Court’s highest-volume branches where pro bono representation is greatly needed. You’ll observe court proceedings, meet with Superior Court Judges, and learn how you can help expand access to justice in our community by providing representation to persons with limited means. The Open House will focus on pro bono opportunities to represent petitioners seeking Civil Protection Orders (CPOs). A person can file for a CPO against someone who has committed or threatened to commit an intrafamily offense, sexual assault, sexual abuse, or sex or labor trafficking against them. By providing pro bono representation, you’ll be helping someone seeking protection from domestic and/or sexual violence, as well as enhancing your professional skills. Please note this event involves a moderate amount of standing and walking. If attendees have accommodation needs or questions, please contact Jodi Feldman at Jodi.Feldman@DCCSystem.gov.

D.C. Superior Court Open House: Domestic Relations Branch

This event is hosted by D.C Superior Court and Washington Council of Lawyers and co-sponsored by D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center and Children’s Law Center 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 the Domestic Relations Branch – one of the Court’s highest-volume branches where pro bono representation in child custody cases is greatly needed. You’ll observe court proceedings, meet with Superior Court Judges, and learn how you can help expand access to justice in our community. Pro bono counsel may represent custodial parents, non-custodial parents, or third-party caregivers in child custody matters. They also serve as guardians ad litem (GALs), representing the “best interests” of the children involved. Whether representing a party or serving as a GAL in a custody case, you’ll be helping to secure stability for a family with limited means, as well as enhancing your professional skills. Please note this event involves a moderate amount of standing and walking. If attendees have accommodation needs or questions, please contact Jodi Feldman at Jodi.Feldman@DCCSystem.gov.

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