Washington Council of Lawyers

08/28/2026

The Fall marks an important time of transition for the pro bono community as new law firm associates start, recent grads begin fellowships, and the community kicks off and celebrates pro bono with many events. This Best Practices conversation will discuss how our community can intentionally welcome and engage incoming associates while building momentum for new pro bono activity and reinvigorating existing projects.

Join us on Tuesday, September 29 from 3:00 - 4:30 PM for Preparing to Launch Careers with Purpose: New Associates as Drivers of Pro Bono Engagement. Then stay for option mingling time with panelists and attendees until 5:00 PM.

Register: https://wclawyers.org/09-29-26/

08/26/2026

When life is pulling you in every direction, it’s important to know who is on your team! That’s why every fall we start our Board Year by bringing the team together! Joins us at our annual Fall Kickoff to meet our Board members, other members of the public interest and pro bono community and see who is on your team! Join us for food, drink, and the chance to build a stronger public-interest community.

✨ Fall Kickoff
📆 Tuesday, September 22
⏰ 6:00 - 8:00 pm
📍 Goodwin Procter (1900 N St NW)

08/25/2026

Join GLAD Law at Protecting Our Families: The legal landscape and practical tips for LGBTQ+ families and their children on Thursday, September 10 at 5:30 PM.

Register today: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/R2hqh2iCRlio4pc3unCFIA #/

08/12/2026

Join Washington Council of Lawyers, DC Caribbean Bar Association, Hispanic Bar Association of DC, IABA DC, Native American Bar Association, and The Washington Bar Association to celebrate BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month!

Now, we know BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month is July and we are celebrating in August but we wanted to avoid the high heat and celebrate the end of the summer together by amplifying our joy as a community.

In honor of BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month we want to come together as a community, move our bodies, and decompress through a low strain walk! Meet new people and step into a more connected you at the community walk! We will start at the Alethia Tanner Park and walk to Union Market via the Metro Branch Trail!

Once we arrive at Union Market, we will start the celebration on the rooftop at Hi-Lawn for our Community Social Hour!

Registration is encouraged but not required! Join us an d bring a friend!

Learn more and register: https://wclawyers.org/events/upcoming-events/

08/05/2026

We are grateful to count the great Steve Schulman and Akin Gump as long-time supporters. Steve is a leader among pro bono counsel and has helped shape law firm pro bono from "Hey Joe, Pro Bono" to an intrinsic part of big law culture.

We are delighted to see his vision and dedicated work celebrated! Read all about his exceptional career and contributions to pro bono here -

Steven Schulman has spent the past three decades helping reshape the role of pro bono work in Big Law. After building Latham & Watkins’ pro bono program, he persuaded Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld to create a full-time pro bono partnership for him. Since then, he has watched corporate firm pro bo...

07/31/2026

Join Washington Council of Lawyers, DC Caribbean Bar Association, Hispanic Bar Association of DC, Iranian American Bar Association, and the Native American Bar Association to celebrate BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month!

Now, we know BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month is July and we are celebrating in August but we wanted to avoid the high heat and celebrate the end of the summer together by amplifying our joy as a community. Connect, unwind, and celebrate the resilience of the BIPOC community.

We will be starting the event at the Alethia Tanner Park and walk to Union Market via the Metro Branch Trail! In honor of BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month we want to come together as a community, move our bodies, and decompress through a low strain walk! Meet new people and step into a more connected you at the community walk!

We will meet at Hi-Lawn to enjoy a community social hour! Enjoy the rooftop and refreshments with new and old friends. Washington Council of Lawyers is providing appetizers. Drinks will be on a personal purchase basis. Join us for both or just one part of the evening! We are excited to celebrate our community together.

Register: https://wclawyers.org/events/upcoming-events/

07/16/2026

Halfway through July, we're making progress toward our goal of welcoming 55 new and returning members to celebrate Washington Council of Lawyers' 55th anniversary.

Every day, we see why this work matters. For 55 years, Washington Council of Lawyers has answered the call.

Joining or renewing your membership isn't simply paying dues. It's joining a community that believes justice should be available to everyone and that lawyers have a responsibility to serve the public good.

This month, become one of the 55 members helping strengthen the next chapter of Washington Council of Lawyers. https://wclawyers.org/join/

07/15/2026

During July we are sharing Wellness Wednesday posts in honor of BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month!

Today, we are taking a moment to learn about Racial Battle Fatigue, what it is and how to be mindful of it during the fight for equality and justice.

Read more about Racial Battle Fatigue here: https://mindandtherapyclinic.com/2026/04/07/racial-battle-fatigue-why-youre-feeling-more-than-just-tired/
Watch Dr. Dwinita Mosby Tyler's video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQSW5SFBsOg

07/13/2026

Join us for Session 2 of our 2026 Leadership Institute. As technology reshapes the legal profession and hybrid workplaces become the norm, today's leaders must find new ways to inspire teams, communicate effectively, and navigate change. In an increasingly virtual and tech-driven world, how can you lead with confidence and keep your team moving forward?

Find out from distinguished legal leaders who will share practical insights and explore how leadership is transforming in response to new and emerging technologies. Our discussion will be led by Jim Sandman, Distinguished Lecturer and Senior Consultant to the Future of the Profession Initiative at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School and former President of the Legal Services Corporation, and Michael Lukens, Executive Director of the Amica Center for Immigrant Rights.

Key topics will include: managing and engaging virtual teams, leveraging technology in legal practice, navigating generational dynamics, cultivating executive presence, and strengthening communication across diverse teams.

This session is Thursday, July 16 from 12:00-1:30 pm ET via Zoom. Register here:https://ow.ly/CltT50Zn6ki.

07/08/2026

Wellness Wednesday! 🌿

This July we will be honoring BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month by sharing Wellness Wednesday posts. We are starting with takeaways from our most recent Best Practices event. During this event, we discussed vicarious trauma in trauma intensive work, broke down the difference between vicarious trauma and burnout, and ways to address both proactively and meaningfully.

Check out the recap and resources, including guides to support your mental health, here: https://wclawyers.org/bppb-06-25-26-recap/