After perusing the Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs (WLC) website, all I could say was, “wow.” Actually, “Wow!”
The WLC provides pro-bono legal services to address discrimination and other civil rights issues in the District. It does this by coordinating its staff with members of the private bar to litigate matters related to employment discrimination, fair housing and lending, public accommodations, immigrant & refugee rights, disability rights, and D.C. prisoners’ rights.
Its active litigation docket has more than 100 matters that include individual cases, class actions, as well as other larger law reform cases and public policy advocacy. The Committee’s litigation efforts have become nationally known for landmark court victories, record judgements, and precedent-setting consent decrees.
In writing this column, I am constantly surprised by the number and quality of legal services in the District. For those with legal issues related to civil rights, the WLC is an excellent resource. For attorneys wanting to get involved, this is an excellent organization that will provide world class support and experience to help make a difference and to give back to the community.
In order to get assistance from the WLC, go to http://washlaw.org/request-assistance and fill out the online form. Or print it out and mail it in. The form is available in both English and Spanish. You can also call (202) 319-1000 or email them at [email protected].
For attorneys wanting to get involved, the WLC is an incredible organization. Like many pro-bono organizations in the District, those associated with the group come from impressive backgrounds and give new attorneys a chance to work with some of the best attorneys in the country. Those interested in a particular subject are encouraged to contact the appropriate staff member through the website at http://washlaw.org/about-us/staff.
Tim Farrell is a member of the D.C. Bar Association along with the bars of Ohio, Oregon, Washington, Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. When not reviewing documents, his practice focuses on litigation. You can contact him through Avvo.com by searching “Timothy M.B. Farrell.”
