About Our Pro Bono Program
Legal Aid DC’s Pro Bono Program greatly enhances our ability to make justice real by expanding our impact and providing legal assistance and representation for hundreds of additional individuals and families in our community.
Over the years, Legal Aid DC has referred thousands of matters to private practice and government attorneys. Cases are screened initially by our attorneys and then referred to pro bono counsel. We have training videos and written manuals available, and we will provide expert mentoring. Legal Aid DC’s mentors are experienced attorneys available to answer questions, provide sample pleadings, and discuss relevant law and strategy with our pro bono attorneys.
If you accept a pro bono case referral case from Legal Aid, you could help our community by:
- Preventing a family from being evicted
- Securing a tenant’s rights to safe and well-maintained housing
- Helping a survivor of domestic violence secure a child custody or child support order
- Obtaining benefits and health care for a person with a disability
- Sealing an eligible criminal record that has caused barriers to accessing housing and employment
When taking a pro bono case, you also can build valuable skills such as:
- Maintaining a primary relationship with your client
- Taking the lead on case strategy
- Conducting discovery
- Participating in negotiation and mediation
- Drafting and filing pleadings,
- Preparing for an administrative hearing or a trial,
- And more!
In addition to case referrals, we also welcome law firm Loaned Associates in-house as part of our Legal Aid team. If you are an attorney and want more information about our Pro Bono Program and current pro bono opportunities, please send an email to probono@legalaiddc.org.
Pro Bono Client Stories
Meet a Few of Our Pro Bono Attorneys
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"As a corporate attorney, I have found these cases to be accessible and fulfilling because of the direct impact. After you listen to your clients, you understand why it’s so important to help."
Sam SergentAssociate, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett -
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"It has been a privilege partnering with Legal Aid over the years to ensure equal access to justice for the most vulnerable members in our community.”
Dean Gregory -
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“It’s exciting to be engaging with different people who are equally committed to Legal Aid and access to justice."
Nadira ClarkePartner, Hogan Lovells -
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"It is important that you're giving back to the community that you have, but the benefits that you get are so much more than what you could ever give a client."
Josephine "Jo" BahnAssociate, Cozen O'Connor -
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"It is fulfilling to be that resource for my clients and to take a part of that burden off them."
Mariah HinesFormer Associate, Sidley Austin
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The Klepper Prize for Volunteer Excellence
Each year, Legal Aid DC recognizes an outstanding pro bono attorney early in their career with the Klepper Prize for Volunteer Excellence.
2024 Honoree Nancy Anderson
2023 Honoree Josephine "Jo" Bahn