For the fourth consecutive year, DC’s legal community came together to raise more than $3 million for Legal Aid DC through the Making Justice Real Campaign, shattering last year’s record with $3.48m. More than half of the total was raised in the last week of the month-and-a-half drive, which ran from June 28 to August 4. 

“I am so grateful DC’s legal community shares the belief that none of our neighbors should have to face life-changing legal challenges without an advocate by their side and that our colleagues across law firms invest their hard-earned dollars to stand up for that ideal,” said Vikram Swaruup, Legal Aid’s Executive Director. “This funding will make a real difference in the District for our neighbors -- families will keep their homes, domestic violence survivors will get protection orders that keep them safe, and immigrants will secure their future in this country.” 

Seventy-five District law firms participated in this year’s Campaign, and more than 4,000 people donated. Donations ranged from $10 to $55,000. Funds raised through the Campaign account for 30% of Legal Aid’s budget and ensure that thousands of DC residents will get the legal assistance they need. 

“In this time of increased need for Legal Aid’s client community, it was a true honor to serve as an Honorary Co-Chair alongside Andy Pincus for this record-breaking year,” said Liz Stern, managing partner of Mayer Brown’s DC office. “Andy and I are proud to be part of the DC legal community and its long history of coming together to give back and take care of our neighbors who need help.” 

Latham & Watkins raised the most of any firm for the ninth-consecutive year, setting a new record at $317,895, becoming the first firm in the history of the campaign to raise over $300,000. Williams & Connolly was second at $232,125, and WilmerHale rounded out the Top 3 at $209,215. Those three firms have finished in the Top 3, in some order, for nine years running. 

“I’m proud that our firm has been at the forefront of generosity when it comes to Legal Aid for almost a decade,” said David Dantzic, former President of Legal Aid’s Board of Trustees and a partner at Latham & Watkins. “We owe it to Legal Aid’s clients to do everything we can to make sure we provide the necessary resources for this cause that the legal community cares so deeply about.” 

In addition to the overall leaders, Legal Aid would also like to recognize the most generous firms ranked by the number of attorneys in each office. The category winners are listed below, with the full Top 5 standings published on the Campaign website: 

300+ Attorneys 

Latham & Watkins -- $317,895.59 

250-299 Attorneys 

WilmerHale -- $209,215.40 

200-249 Attorneys 

Mayer Brown -- $132,299.46 

150-199 Attorneys 

Orrick -- $77,333.45 

100-149 Attorneys 

Kelley Drye & Warren --  $98,544.22 

75-99 Attorneys 

Miller & Chevalier -- $52,793.52 

50-74 Attorneys 

Zuckerman Spaeder -- $41,169.47 

25-49 Attorneys 

Wilkinson Stekloff -- $80,466.27 

1-24 Attorneys 

Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner -- $33,603.45 

Congratulations and thank you to all our participating firms!