Summer is almost here and so is our annual Summer Pro Bono & Public Interest Forum. Each year, we encourage summer associates and summer interns to make pro bono or public-interest work a part of their legal careers. Through an introduction in a variety of public-interest practice, we hope to inspire attendees to follow their passions and uplift their communities!

Graphic: Summer Forum Keynote Speaker Nicole Austin-Hillery

Our events feature many exciting topics, including an all new Environmental Law panel!

Here’s a preview of what you have to look forward to…

  • June 8 – Non-Litigation Pro Bono – 12:00-1:15 pm ET
  • June 8 – Environmental Justice – 1:15-2:30 pm ET
  • June 15 – Poverty Law – 12:00-1:15 pm ET
  • June 15 – Criminal Law & Death Penalty – 1:15 – 2:30 pm ET
  • June 22 – Civil Rights & Civil Liberties – 12:00-1:15 pm ET
  • June 22 – Immigration & Human Rights – 1:15 – 2:30 pm ET

Take a look at these upcoming panels to see the incredible leaders that are speaking and the nuanced topics they are tackling!

The impact of environmental law is felt by a variety of communities and interest areas. Traverse this wide reaching area of law with our panel of experts. Delve into the research and analysis that informs the community on pressing environmental and natural resource issues in the U.S. and globally with John Pendergrass, Senior Vice President at the Environmental Law Institute. Dig into the roots of experiential learning and climate justice advocacy with Christine Appah, Adjunct Professor of Environmental Justice Law at Cardozo School of Law and Adjunct Assistant Professor of Climate at the Columbia Climate School. Discover the connection between business and environmental justice with Stacey Sublett Halliday of Beveridge & Diamond.  Learn more about these incredible leaders here

Graphic: Summer Forum 2023 Environmental Justice
Graphic: Summer Forum 2023 Poverty Law Panel

Join us as we explore the wide-ranging legal issues individuals living in poverty face and what pro bono opportunities are available in D.C. and across the country. Uncover the impact that poverty has on survivors of domestic violence with Aida Vindell, Co-Legal Director of the Domestic Violence Program at DC Volunteer Lawyers Project. Explore the interconnected nature of poverty and the issues faced by seniors in our community with Sébastien Monzón Rueda a Staff Attorney with the AARP Foundation Litigation. Unlock the diverse knowledge of Harmony Jones, Pro Bono Counsel, at Steptoe & Johnson. Bring to light the benefits of the Healthy Together medical-legal partnership that works to find and fix the root causes of a child’s health problem with Tracy Goodman the leader of the Healthy Together program at Children’s Law Center. 

Learn more about these fantastic panelists here

Connect all month long on social media using the hashtag #SumFo23 to let us know your thoughts on these important topics!