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Our city is fortunate to have a strong network of civil legal services providers that represent low-income litigants for free. Yet, there is still a large gap between the number of people those organizations can serve and the number of people who can’t afford a lawyer. This leaves far too many unrepresented individuals in cases where the stakes are high to navigate the court system without the benefit of counsel.
The District of Columbia Courts are committed to ensuring access to justice for all who use our court system. We can use your help! If you're a lawyer eligible to practice in the DC Courts, you can help advance access to justice in our Courts and the District.
Past Events
Public Service. Think Local. A Special Invitation from the D.C. Superior Court
The D.C. Superior Court invites summer associates, interns, law clerks and others to Moultrie Courthouse for a conversation with Superior Court judges about local pro bono, legal services, and affordable representation and why you’ll want to get involved as you build your career.
DC Refers Reconnect with Judge Carmen G. McLean and Pro Bono Manager Jodi Feldman - WATCH HERE.
D.C. Superior Court Pro Bono Open House - March 2023
If you’re a lawyer interested in helping to bridge the access to justice gap in our city, now is the time to get started!
Volunteer opportunities for lawyers are also available on site at Superior Court’s Family Court Self-Help Center (volunteering details here) and Probate Self-Help Center (volunteering details here).
If you’d like more information about how to get involved or unsure where to start, please contact Jodi.Feldman [at] dccsystem.gov (Jodi Feldman), Pro Bono Manager.
| Title | Download PDF |
|---|---|
| What are Your Pro Bono Goals | Download |
| How to Get Involved | Download |
Chief Judge Anna Blackburne-Rigsby of the D.C. Court of Appeals and Chief Judge Anita Josey-Herring of the D.C. Superior Court have released the 12th annual Capital Pro Bono Honor Roll, recognizing the contributions of those D.C. Bar members and others authorized to perform legal work who donated 50 hours or more of pro bono service during the last calendar year.
The Capital Pro Bono Honor Roll recognizes the thousands of D.C. Bar members and attorneys practicing under D.C. Court of Appeals Rule 49 who provide desperately needed free legal services to those living in poverty and/or to the small businesses and community-based non-profits that are critical to the economic well-being of our community.
| Title | Download PDF |
|---|---|
| 2022 Pro Bono Honor Roll and High Honor Roll, by name | Download |
| 2022 Pro Bono Honor Roll and High Honor Roll, by affiliation (law firm) | Download |
Learn more about the pro bono experience in our courts from our 2022 Capital Pro Bono Honor Roll honorees! All were recognized for performing over 100 hours of pro bono service in 2022.
Hear what inspires Steptoe Partner Lauren Azebu to represent clients in D.C. Superior Court and what she’s learned from her experiences.
Hogan Lovells Associate Nicole Banton shares why she finds pro bono work rewarding and why she encourages others to get involved. Nicole focuses her pro bono practice on representing survivors of domestic violence in protection order and child custody cases in D.C. Superior Court.
Listen to Arnold & Porter Counsel Melissa Weberman talk about how representing D.C. residents facing eviction proceedings in DC Superior Court’s Landlord and Tenant Branch has impacted her professionally and personally.
Family Court Volunteers
Over 85% of parties in child custody, divorce and child support cases in Superior Court lack representation. That's why Jill Greaney, Barbara Nielsen and Eddie Allen donate their time to the D.C. Superior Family Self-Help Center.
Learn more about their experiences doing pro bono service here!
Capital Pro Bono Honor Roll
How can you make a difference? Learn more about the pro bono experience in our courts from our 2022 Capital Pro Bono Honor Roll honorees! All were recognized for performing over 100 hours of pro bono service in 2022.
Hear what inspires Steptoe Partner Lauren Azebu to represent clients in D.C. Superior Court and what she’s learned from her experiences.
Hogan Lovells Associate Nicole Banton shares why she finds pro bono work rewarding and why she encourages others to get involved. Nicole focuses her pro bono practice on representing survivors of domestic violence in protection order and child custody cases in D.C. Superior Court.
Listen to Arnold & Porter Counsel Melissa Weberman talk about how representing D.C. residents facing eviction proceedings in DC Superior Court’s Landlord and Tenant Branch has impacted her professionally and personally.
- D.C. Access to Justice Commission
- D.C. Access to Justice Commission, Delivering Justice: Addressing Civil Legal Needs in the District of Columbia (December 2019)
- D.C. Consortium of Legal Services Providers, The Community Listening Project (April 2016)
- Jeffrey Leon, No Access, No Justice: A Pressing Challenge in the District of Columbia, WASHINGTON LAWYER (May 2016)
- Sheldon Krantz, There Is No Justice When Low and Modest-Income D.C. Residents Are Forced To Represent Themselves in Civil Cases, University of the District of Columbia Law Review (Vol. 24, 2021)
Did you know that Rule 6.1 of the DC Bar Rules of Professional Conduct states that a lawyer should participate in serving those who are unable to pay all or a portion of reasonable attorney’s fees?
DC Refers is an online directory of experienced lawyers who are willing to represent clients of modest means for a reduced fee. Are you interested in joining this innovative initiative to expand access to justice in the District of Columbia for individuals, families, and businesses that do not qualify for free legal services but cannot afford representation at market rates? Consider applying to join DC Refers. Learn more about becoming a DC Refers legal professional here.
