Access to Justice & Funding for Civil Legal Services

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Since its founding in 1971, Washington Council of Lawyers has been the only voluntary bar association in the District of Columbia solely dedicated to promoting pro bono and public-interest law. In support of our mission, we have maintained a consistent and significant focus on support for access to justice and funding for civil legal services. Recent advocacy on access to justice and funding for civil legal services includes the following:

Written Testimony to the D.C Council Committee on the Judiciary & Public Safety Budget Oversight Hearing: OVSJG/Access to Justice Initiative (April 25, 2024)

Written Testimony to the D.C. Council Committee on Public Works & Operations Budget Oversight Hearing OAH (April 10, 2024)

Written Testimony to the D.C. Council Committee on Public Works & Operations Performance Oversight Hearing OAH (February 8, 2024)

Written Testimony to the D.C. Council Committee on the Judiciary & Public Safety Performance Oversight Hearing: OVSJG/Access to Justice Initiative (January 24, 2024)

Letter from District Voluntary Bar Associations Calling for Consistent Funding for Access to Justice Initiative (May 8, 2023)

Testimony to the D.C. Council Committee on the Judiciary & Public Safety Performance Oversight Hearing: Access to Justice Initiative (February 10, 2023)

Written Testimony to the D.C. Council Committee on Public Works & Operations Performance Oversight Hearing: Office of Administrative Hearings (February 6, 2023)

Testimony before the D.C. Council Committee on Housing and Executive Administration FY 2023 Funding for the Executive Office of the Mayor (April 7, 2022)

Testimony to the D.C. Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety on FY23 Public Funding for The Access to Justice Initiative (April 6, 2022)

Testimony to the D.C. Council Committee on the Judiciary & Public Safety re: Performance Oversight (January 27, 2021)

Testimony to the D.C. Council Committee on the Judiciary & Public Safety re: B24-0298 Pro Bono Legal Representation Expansion Amendment Act of 2021 (October 27, 2021)

Letter of Support for the Neighborhood Legal Services Program’s TIG Application for Funding for a Coordinated Intake and Referral System for the District of Columbia (August 3, 2021)