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We Joined #DecrimPovertyDC to Decriminalize Drugs, Address Collateral Consequences, and Invest in Health Services

We joined the #DecrimPovertyDC coalition leading a legislative campaign calling on DC to decriminalize drugs, address collateral consequences and invest in health services. Take action and tell the DC Council that you support decriminalizing drugs in DC here.

Thank You for Attending the 2021 Virtual Founders' Reception

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the 2021 Founders' Reception! In case you missed it, hear from Ben Wilson and Avis Buchanan on the changes in ensuring diversity and inclusion in the legal profession and the operation of the criminal legal system. Watch the panel here!

Discrimination Against People Who Are Homeless is a Racial Justice Issue in DC

We urged the DC Council to pass The Human Rights Enhancement Amendment Act of 2021. This bill will advance racial justice, expand anti-discrimination protections to people who are unhoused and independent contractors, and increase access to justice. Read our full testimony.

The Redefinition of Child Amendment Act Represents a Long Overdue Exercise of DC's Power to Decriminalize Behavior and Define Childhood

We joined a coalition urging the DC Council and Mayor Bowser to support the Redefinition of Child Amendment Act which is essential to advance racial equity and protect DC children and families, particularly children of color.

Dear Friend,

Public pressure is often the most critical motivator for change. When communities come together to make as much noise as possible and are unrelenting on the issues that matter most, systems of injustice can be dismantled and we can create lasting change.

Your voice, the voices of our clients, and the voice of our community deserve to be heard by key decisionmakers. We encourage you to make your voice heard and join us in urging the DC Council to take immediate action in the name of advancing racial equity, protecting DC children, decriminalizing drugs, expanding anti-discrimination protections, and investing in public health through the many channels linked above.

Jonathan M. Smith
Executive Director

John Burke Pro Bono Breakfast Virtual Event December 1, 2021 8:30-10AM Sponsorship Opportunities Gold Sponsor - $5,000 Silver Sponsor $2,500 Bronze Sponsor $1,000

Join Us December 1st!

The Washington Lawyers’ Committee cordially invites you to join us virtually December 1st from 8:30 am to 10am to hear more about our focus to dismantle injustice based on racial discrimination and to repair the damage of historical racial inequity.

Hear from clients, co-counsel and staff on the crucial work that you help make possible. This year’s event is virtual and participation is free and open to the community.
RSVP Today!

More News

With FAMM and NACDL, we urged US Attorney General Merrick Garland and the Department of Justice to keep those on CARES Act home confinement home with their families and to support compassionate release.

Mother Jones quoted Jonathan Smith, Executive Director, on the frightening reality of state approved police trainings with the co-founder of a hate group.

Kaitlin Banner, Deputy Legal Director, was quoted by WAMU on DC's failure to ensure access to education for students who are quarantined.

The DC Line highlighted the Committee as a resource for people facing source of income discrimination.

Jonathan Smith was quoted by CNN on civil rights changes at the Justice Department and the need for these to just be the beginning.

The Washington Post quoted Jonathan Smith on the importance of public pressure for investigations by the Justice Department.

Our case challenging the price-fixing of prison phone calls was featured by Law360.

Jonathan Smith was quoted by The Advocate on the lack of accountability in local police departments.

Get Involved

The Committee is always looking for co-counsel on important cases. If you want to receive regular emails with available matters, please email jonathan_smith@washlaw.org. Or take a compassionate release or a parole matter or help at our workers’ rights clinic.

Compassionate Release and Parole

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to sicken and kill persons incarcerated in prison. While through our parole representation program and our participation in the Compassionate Release Clearinghouse, we have secured attorneys for hundreds of prisoners seeking release, we continue to need help.

Attorneys interested in taking a parole case should contact stacey_litner@washlaw.org.

To take a compassionate release case, go to CRClearinghouse.org.

Workers' Rights Clinics

The Committee conducts Workers’ Rights Clinics which provide one-on-one consultation with a trained Intake Volunteer who will provide legal advice brief services, under the supervision of an experienced employment law attorney. These clinics are currently held remotely during the pandemic.

Attorneys wishing to volunteer should contact clinic@washlaw.org.

To schedule an intake with our Clinic, call (202) 319-1000 ext. 118. For Spanish please call (202) 319-1000 ext. 123.