The leadership of the D.C. Bar focuses on priorities and sets the tone for the largest unified bar association in the country. Since Washington Council of Lawyers is devoted to promoting pro bono service and public-interest law, we think it is essential that D.C. Bar leaders understand firsthand the importance of, and have a demonstrated commitment to, increasing access to justice in our community.  Washington Council of Lawyers endorses the following 2024 candidates, listed alphabetically, and not in order of preference.   President-Elect Sadina Montani Treasurer-Elect Jo ..read more

When: 18 May 2024, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM Where: DC Bar (901 4th St NW) Cost: Free to attend 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, May 18th 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 ..read more

When: 15 July 2024, 6:00pm ET to 7:30 pm ET Where: Zoom Cost: Free for WCL members; $10 for nonmembers Post-graduate fellowships are a unique way to realize your ideal public interest job. Fellowships allow new lawyers to gain hands-on experience, develop project management skills, and pursue their passions for promoting justice. But the application process is complicated and the programs are competitive. We’re here to help you make sense of the process. Our expert panel will walk you through all the steps of the application procedures for the various programs and give you concrete tips for ..read more

When: 02 May 2024, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Where: Arnold & Porter (601 Massachusetts Ave NW) Cost: $135 Members; $235 Non-Members Join us for two jam-packed days of Trial Advocacy on Thursday, May 2 and Friday, May 3. The training will take place from 9:00 -5:00 pm ET both days! View the  2024 Litigation Skills Series: Trial Advocacy Full Schedule here. We will focus on the four fundamental trial skills: Opening Statements, Direct Examinations, Cross-Examinations, and Closing Arguments.  Each topic will begin with a lecture by an expert trainer and a demonstration by skilled litigat ..read more

When: 23 May 2024, 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm Where: Fried Frank Cost: Free; donations encouraged This Best Practices conversation will define and explain what we mean by Artificial Intelligence or “AI.” Building on that shared understanding, we will discuss how AI has been, is being, and will be used in legal services generally, and to facilitate access to justice and pro bono in particular. We will explore the benefits, use cases, and opportunities for innovation, and the potential risks of this emerging technology. The panel will touch on practical considerations, ethical implications, equity, a ..read more

When: 30 April 2024, 12:00 pm ET to 1:30 pm ET Where: Zoom Cost: Free The District of Columbia Judicial Nomination Commission (JNC) screens, selects, and recommends to the President of the United States candidates for appointment to the Superior Court of the District of Columbia and the District of Columbia Court of Appeals, and appoints the chief judges for both courts. Join members of the JNC for a unique opportunity to learn about the JNC and our local judicial selection process, obtain advice on applying to become a judge in the District of Columbia, and the pitfalls to avoid during the ..read more

When: 20 June 2024, 5:30 pm ET to 7:30pm ET Cost: Early Bird Pricing Available until May 15 Our Summer Pro Bono & Public Interest Forum is an annual tradition that brings together lawyers, summer associates, summer interns, and others interested in making pro bono or public-interest work a part of their legal careers and provides an introduction to several different types of public-interest practice. We’ll kick off the forum with an in-person and live-streamed keynote conversation with Fatima Goss Graves, President & CEO of the National Women’s Law Center. on Thursday, June 20 from 5 ..read more

When: 08 May 2024, 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm Where: Virtual Cost: Members-Only; Free to Attend. Conquering client interviewing is only half the battle. The other half comes when its time to share their story with the world. The second part in our Members-Only series will give you insights and advice you need to share their story at the stage of advocacy you’re in. Learn how to synthesize your client’s story and effectively communicate it to fact-finders or in policy advocacy and organizational reporting. Effectively sharing your client’s story is important to both seeking justice in individual cas ..read more

When: 17 April 2024, 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm Where: Virtual Cost: Members-Only; Free to Attend. We want to help you maximize your client interactions and your ability to communicate their story. Join us for this Members-Only series to gain the insights you need to be an empathetic and effective advocate at every stage. Refine your client interviewing skills in the first part of this Members-Only series – Client Interviewing! Hear from seasoned experts about effective communication techniques, rapport-building strategies, and advice that will help you understand clients’ needs. Join us to ensure ..read more

When: 05 April 2024, 12:00 pm to 2:30 pm Where: Arnold & Porter (601 Massachusetts Ave NW) Cost: $55 for members, $100 for non-members Join us for an intensive and comprehensive training designed to equip you with the essential skills and strategies for effectively impeaching witnesses during trial proceedings. Impeaching a witness can be a critical element in shaping the outcome of a case, and mastery of this art is essential for any trial advocate. Through a combination of expert-led seminars, practical demonstrations, and interactive workshops, participants will delve into the nuances ..read more