Service to the Community

The DC Bar serves the District of Columbia community by providing legal services to those who are unable to afford them. The DC Bar's Pro Bono Program, the DC Bar Foundation, and the DC Bar's Pro Bono Initiative are just a few of the ways that the DC Bar contributes its time, talent, and treasure to those most in need. The many voluntary bar associations operating in the District of Columbia also provide much needed pro bono legal assistance.

I believe in supporting Service to the District of Columbia Community by:

• Funding Access to Justice
  …using my insight into the District of Columbia budgeting process to work with District local government leaders to ensure continued funding for the Access to Justice Commission initiatives. This past year the Bar Foundation received $3.2 million from the District to fund legal and interpreter services for those most in need. However, the funding is not guaranteed in the upcoming years.
• Lawyer Loan Repayment
  …advocating for continued funding of the District of Columbia Poverty Lawyer Loan Assistance Repayment Program which assists lawyers who work with those living in poverty by offering grants to repay outstanding student loans. The program is an important incentive to attract lawyers to public service but was funded for only one year. To be effective, the program needs a long-term funding commitment.
• Pro Bono
  …encouraging Bar members to continue their pro bono legal work through the DC Bar's excellent Pro Bono Program and Pro Bono Initiative. As recommended by the Access to Justice Commission, I support broadening the Pro Bono Initiative beyond the 50 largest law firms in the District of Columbia, to the 100 largest law firms.
• Voluntary Bars
  …supporting the voluntary bar associations by ensuring that monthly meetings are substantive and by working to ensure that important information is shared throughout the greater DC legal community.

Endorsements