Win for Students with Disabilities!

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

Immunocompromised Students in Virginia Can Ask for Accommodations & Masking in Schools to Keep Them Safe

On Wednesday night, students with disabilities in Virginia were granted a preliminary injunction prohibiting the enforcement of laws that strip school districts of the ability to provide accommodations for immunocompromised students, such as masks in schools.

We are proud to represent these students together with the ACLU of VA, Brown Goldstein & Levy, the disAbility Law Center of Virginia, and Arnold & Porter. Read more about the case here.

DC Sued Over MPD's Withholding of Public Records Related to the MPD Gang Database

For more than 6 months, DC Police have refused to provide public records on their Gang Database, which secretly tracks thousands of almost exclusively Black and Brown DC residents. Last week, we filed suit against DC for MPD's failure to respond to this FOIA submitted by the Chicago Justice Project.

This failure is part of a long history of DC Police obstructing transparency and accountability. Read about our case brought together with Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP here.

Dear Friend,

This is a historic moment. As the nation tuned in for the confirmation hearings of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson this week, we recognize that this week is one of great importance in civil rights and racial justice history. Having the voice and perspective of a Black woman in America at the highest court is invaluable for hundreds of thousands of reasons. The meaning of this moment cannot be overstated.

At the Washington Lawyers' Committee, we also recognize the great importance of having the perspective of a former public defender and practicing lawyer. Outside of Justice Sotomayor, no current justices have tried a single criminal case and very few have spent any time in a Courtroom as an attorney. Understanding of the court from all sides brings crucial understanding that currently does not exist at our nation's highest court.

Judge Jackson's unique perspective is needed on the Supreme Court, which is why the Committee joined a coalition calling for her confirmation. She would bring diversity to the court because of her race, her gender, and her experience.

Jonathan M. Smith
Executive Director

2022 Associates Campaign Leaderboard Large 200+ Attorneys: Venable - $19,121.65, Williams & Connolly - $11,127.50, Arent Fox - $6,207.75; Medium 100-199 Attorneys: Willkie Farr - $7,436.00, Paul Hastings - $2,492.50, Eversheds Sutherland - $1,819.00 Small 1-99 Attorneys: Jenner & Block - $4,880.00, Beveridge & Diamond - $1,998.75, Gilbert - $1,536.25 Keep the Momentum Going!

2022 Associates Campaign

The 2022 Associates Campaign is in full swing with more than 20 firms participating! Help your colleagues and firms reach or stay at the top of the leaderboard and exceed their goal!

The campaign runs through April 30 so there is plenty of opportunity to support the work of the Washington Lawyers’ Committee. You can start a campaign or support your firm here.

Let's keep the momentum going!

Red square with text that reads Washington Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs Save the Date Wiley A. Branton Awards Luncheon June 01, 2022

Save the Date for Branton 2022!

Join us June 1st in celebrating our award winners and their organizations in their commitment to dismantle injustice and pursue lasting change.

JW Marriott • Washington, DC
11:30 am - 12:00 pm • Networking
12:00 pm - 1:45 pm • Program and Lunch

Register and learn about sponsorship opportunities today!

More News

Carlos Andino, Equal Justice Works Fellow, is receiving Elon University’s 2022 Top 10 Under 10 Alumni Award.

Sarah Bessell, Counsel, was quoted by HuffPost on how DC workers can ensure their paycheck is correct.

Raymond Dodd, Paralegal, testified before the DC Council on the importance of employment assistance programs for returning citizens provided by the Department of Employment Services.

With a coalition of more than 45 organizations, the Committee joined a letter calling for Judge Kentaji Brown Jackson's confirmation to the Supreme Court.

The Coalition for DC Public Schools & Communities (C4DC), of which the Committee is a member, argued that strengthening by-right pathways at DCPS is the key to educational equity. Read the full statement in the DC Line here.

The Committee’s DC Jail conditions testimony and 2015 report were referenced in The Washington Post and The Georgetown Voice.

Jonathan Smith, Executive Director, submitted testimony on conditions at the DC Jail to the DC Council’s Committee on the Judiciary & Public Safety’s Department of Corrections Oversight Hearing.

The Washington Post quoted Jonathan Smith about the hate-crimes trial of Ahmaud Arbery’s murderers.

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.