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2024 National Celebration of Pro Bono

District of Columbia

October 20-26, 2024

Wednesday, October 2, 2024

DC Superior Court Open House: Domestic Violence Division

Superior Court Committee on Pro Bono & Affordable Counsel, DC Volunteer Lawyers Project, and Network for Victim Recovery of DC

DC Superior Court, Moultrie Bldg., Washington, D.C.

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.

Tuesday, October 8, 2024

Housing Conditions Court Open House

Superior Court Committee on Pro Bono & Affordable Counsel, Children’s Law Center, and DC Bar Pro Bono Center

D.C. Superior Court, Moultrie Bldg. 

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.

Tuesday, October 15, 2024

KIND: Vulnerable Youth Guardian Protection Act

Kids in Need of Defense

Washington, D.C.
Learn about the Vulnerable Youth Guardian Protection Act.

Wednesday, October 16, 2024

Pro Bono Goes Local: A Launch Celebration for D.C. Pro Bono Week 

Washington Council of Lawyers

Crowell and Moring, Washington, D.C.

Join us in launching our DC Pro Bono Week 2024 celebration and catch up with colleagues and friends! We’ll share a wealth of information about innovative and creative collaborations between legal services providers and pro bono counsel and ideally give you some fresh ideas to kick off the fall season. Don’t miss this chance to learn about how our legal services and pro bono communities are working together to address the most pressing legal needs in our community.

Thursday, October 17, 2024

Domestic Relations Branch Open House

Superior Court Committee on Pro Bono & Affordable Counsel, Children’s Law Center, and DC Bar Pro Bono Center

DC Superior Court, Moultrie Bldg., Washington, D.C.

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.

Saturday, October 19, 2024

Advice and Referral Clinic

D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center

Washington, DC

Attorneys will provide advice and referrals to clients in civil legal matters governed by D.C. or federal law in the areas of debt collection, consumer law, employment law, family law, health law, housing law, personal injury, and probate.

Monday, October 21, 2024

NVLSP Veterans Discharge Upgrade File Review Training

National Veterans Legal Services Program

Virtual, Washington, D.C.

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. 

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

Children’s Law Center, D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center, Legal Aid DC, and Mother’s Outreach Network

Virtual

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 Becker who will share her 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.

Tuesday, October 22, 2024

Hot Topics Panel: Election Protection

Washington Council of Lawyers

Virtual

Join us during DC Pro Bono Week for a timely panel discussion on election protection and how you can make a difference in the upcoming election. Our panel of experts will explore the legal challenges surrounding election integrity and the vital role pro bono volunteers play in safeguarding voters’ rights. Learn how to get involved in this critical work and provide legal assistance to protect the democratic process. Don’t miss this chance to contribute to fair and accessible elections!

Mobilizing After the Election

Washington Council of Lawyers

Virtual 

An election always brings change. If the incumbent wins, they may feel they have the freedom to push policy agendas in a second term. If the challenger wins, they may feel they’ve been handed a mandate to pursue their differing policies. In a presidential election, the stakes are higher and the policies reach further.

Regardless of the outcome of the 2024 presidential election, there will be issues on which the public-interest and pro bono community will need to mobilize quickly. In this discussion, our panelists will discuss the most pressing issues of this election and how we as advocates and legal professionals can use our skills and resources to respond to potential results of the election.

Legal Advice and Referral Clinic for Women and Women-Identifying Veterans

Veterans Pro Bono Consortium

Washington, D.C.

Provide advice and referrals to DMV-area women and women-identifying veterans on issues related to family law, consumer law, employment law, or housing law.

 

Wednesday, October 23, 2024

Landlord/Tenant Branch Open House

Superior Court Committee on Pro Bono & Affordable Counsel and the Housing Right to Counsel Project

DC Superior Court, Building B, Washington, D.C.

Join us during Pro Bono Week for a special D.C. Superior Court Open House in the Landlord and Tenant Branch, cosponsored by the city – wide Housing Right to Counsel Project – a coalition of legal services providers and law firms that guarantee representation to certain tenants who are at particular risk of not only being evicted from their home, but possibly losing a critical housing subsidy, as well.

Workers' Rights Clinic

Washington Lawyer's Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs

Washington, D.C.

Provide advice and referrals to clients on unemployment law matters including unpaid wages, unemployment compensation, workers’ compensation, Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) issues, sexual harassment, welfare to work issues, discrimination, and disability accommodation.

Thursday, October 24, 2024

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

Children's Law Center at the Children's Health Center Anacostia

Children's National Anacostia, Washington, D.C.

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.

Walk for Justice 5K

Washington Council of Lawyers

Nationals Park, Washington, D.C.

Washington Council of Lawyers invites you to support the inaugural DC Walk for Justice 5K on October 24, 2024!

Join fellow justice-loving individuals for an afternoon of community, education, and fun! Walkers will follow a route showcasing views of Nationals Park and the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail.

And it doesn’t stop there! After the Walk, participants will celebrate with a finish line party with food, drinks, and music at Centerfield Plaza inside Nationals Park Stadium.

Estate Planning Training

D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center

Washington, D.C.

This training will prepare attorneys to draft pro bono wills and powers of attorney for low-income D.C. residents. Participants will commit to assisting one client within two months of the training.

Legal Advice and Referral Clinic for Veterans

Veterans Pro Bono Consortium 

Washington, D.C. 

Provide advice and referrals to DMV-area veterans on issues related to family law, consumer law, employment law, or housing law.

Friday, October 25, 2024

To AI or Not to AI: Legal Practicalities and Ethical Conundrums Using Artificial Intelligence

Washington Council of Lawyers

Virtual

oin 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]