Summer Pro Bono & Public Interest Forum (2025)
Our 2025 Summer Forum features keynote speaker Jamie Raskin, who represents Maryland’s 8th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. Congressman Raskin was sworn into his fourth Term at the start of the 118th Congress on January 6, 2023. Rep. Raskin was chosen by the Democratic Caucus to be the Ranking Member of the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability in the 118th Congress. This is his fourth term serving on the Oversight Committee. Congressman Raskin will discuss his public-interest career, the importance of the rule of law, and the vital role pro bono volunteers and public-interest lawyers play in equitable access to justice.
After the keynote remarks, we’ll offer a tasty lunch and a selection of breakout sessions where you can learn more about pro bono and public-interest work in DC and across the country. In session one, you can choose from Civil Rights & Civil Liberties or Poverty Law. Session two includes Criminal Law & Death Penalty or Immigration & Human Rights. We’re also offering two virtual panels on Tuesday, July 15 and Tuesday, July 22 at noon. Separate registration for those panels will be available soon. Registrants for the Summer Forum can attend these sessions for free.
The Summer Forum is open to Washington Council of Lawyers members (join), participants in summer-associate and summer-intern programs, and others interested in learning more about practicing law to benefit those in need.
This event is a tradition for many summer programs because it highlights the value of incorporating pro bono or public-interest work into future legal careers. Early-bird pricing is available until June 1. There are also discounts for Washington Council of Lawyers members (join) to take advantage of member pricing. Finally, 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); email our Executive Director, Christina Jackson (cjackson@wclawyers.org) if you need assistance or need bulk registration.
As we’re fully back in person only, we expect this event to sell out. Get your tickets early!