The COVID-19 outbreak continues to evolve and is having a devastating impact on the lives of people around the world. At Legal Aid, we believe it is our role and responsibility during this time to prioritize protecting the health and well-being of our staff, volunteers, and visitors while providing the highest level of service to our clients possible and zealously advocating for the needs of our client community.

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Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, in order to protect our clients, staff, and volunteers, Legal Aid’s Northwest and Southeast offices are closed to the public. We are open for telephone or online intake.

If you have a legal problem, please call (202) 628-1161 or visit https://www.legalaiddc.org/online-intake/

For the latest information from the DC Courts, please visit https://www.dccourts.gov/coronavirus

For information about available community resources during the COVID-19 outbreak, please see our Non-Legal Resource Guide

For the latest information from the District government, please visit https://coronavirus.dc.gov/

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Did you provide 50 hours or more of pro bono service in 2019?  If so, the District of Columbia Courts want to honor you for your contribution. Applications to be included on the 2019 Capital Pro Bono Honor Roll are due Monday, March 2, 2020, so submit your application today!  Participating attorneys will be recognized on the Courts’ website. Read more →

Last week, the District of Columbia Court of Appeals issued an important ruling that ensures free counsel for children from indigent families in certain hearings before the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services.  Once a child is adjudicated delinquent, the Superior Court may commit the child to the custody of the Department, which makes decisions as significant as where the child will be housed (in a secure facility or in the community) and the services the child will receive.  At Team Decision Making Meetings, the Department reviews the child’s progress toward rehabilitation and decides whether changes should be made to the child’s placement or services.  At Community Status Review Hearings, the Department determines whether to revoke a child’s community placement if the child is alleged to have violated the conditions of release.  The Court of Appeals ruled that children are entitled to free counsel at both of these types of hearings.

For more information on this ruling, please see the press releases of Open City Advocates, which won the appeal, and the National Coalition for a Civil Right to Counsel.

This week, Jim Sandman announced he will be stepping down as President of Legal Services Corporation, the largest funder of civil legal aid for low-income people in the country. Legal Aid is grateful for Jim’s contributions to making justice a reality for so many Americans and for his tireless advocacy for access to justice issues. Read more →