This month, we're bringing you new volunteer opportunities, trainings, the DC Pro Bono Honor Roll, and more ways to get involved. Plus, save the date and secure your sponsorship for our 2026 Annual Benefit! | | If you volunteered with us this past year, make sure your hours are counted! Submit them to the DC Bar Pro Bono Honor Roll by February 20, 2026, and have your impact recognized. Submit your hours here | | Volunteer Opportunities & Updates | | Admitted to the Bar Outside of DC or MD? You’re still covered! If you have active membership in another US state, you may practice in DC under the current Rules of Professional Responsibility and in MD under MD Rule 19-218. | | Use your legal skills to help survivors and children build safe, stable futures. Every Volunteer Legal Advocates pro bono lawyer receives training, resources, and 1:1 support from a Supervising Attorney throughout your case. | | Volunteer at a Legal Clinic | Provide brief legal help to survivors and families in need in community spaces or virtually. Our free weekly walk-in legal clinics are a vital first step for clients seeking safety, stability, and support. Every volunteer receives 1:1 support. | | |
New in Montgomery County: Domestic Violence Legal Forms Clinic
Assist survivors of domestic violence with drafting legal forms associated with their pending family law matter. Volunteer Legal Advocates' supervisors will be available during each shift to provide guidance. Volunteer attorneys must be either barred in Maryland or certified under Rule 1--218. Reserve your spot
Legal Clinic Update
Our 10 AM Friday Legal Clinic, previously held at the Bellevue Library, is now virtual to better meet our clients' needs. Want to volunteer? Reserve your spot
| | | All Volunteer Legal Advocates pro bono attorneys are paired with an experienced Supervising Attorney who co-counsels on every case to provide support and backup. | | |
Serve as Guardian ad Litem for a 5-year-old
Status hearing: 3/13/2026 | 11:00 AM
Advocate for the best interests of a 5-year-old child in this dad v. mom custody modification case. The child resides primarily with his father, with supervised visitation with his mother. Dad alleges that Mom is having unsupervised visits with the child and is smoking PCP during these visits. Both parties are pro se. Mom lives in DC, and Dad lives in MD.
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Civil Protection Order Case of CY
Remote hearing: 2/18/2026
CY is a survivor looking for representation in a civil protection order case against her abuser, and assistance with criminal advocacy in a felony criminal case filed by the government against her abuser. Parties have one adult child in common. CY's abuser threatened to kill her and the child in common. The abuser has been criminally charged. CY would benefit from an attorney who could assist with full representation in her case.
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Civil Protection Order Case of LW
Remote hearing: 2/18/2026
LW is a survivor looking for representation in a civil protection order case against her abuser. Parties have one child in common. The abuser punched the survivor and threatened to kill her. LW would benefit from an attorney who could assist with full representation in her case.
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Volunteer Spotlight: Gideon Levy
Gideon Levy is an Associate at Greenberg Traurig LLP and a dedicated member of our Junior Board.
As a young litigator, Gideon has found Volunteer Legal Advocates to be an exceptional training ground. “It’s given me a lot of great courtroom experience. In my pro bono work with Volunteer Legal Advocates, I’ve helped develop strategy, draft pleadings and motions, and even examine witnesses. If you’re a litigator, it’s invaluable.”
Get to know Gideon
| | | | Upcoming Trainings & Events | | We welcome all current and prospective volunteers to our trainings. Whether you're new to this work or a seasoned litigator, your voice and commitment to justice are vital. For even more opportunities, visit our Online Training Hub for Volunteers! | | |
Volunteer Legal Advocates Montgomery County Lunch & Learn
February 10, 2026 | 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Hosted by Lerch Early Brewer LLP
Learn how Volunteer Legal Advocates provides comprehensive training and case support to volunteer attorneys, ensuring they feel confident and prepared to take on pro bono matters, and how they can provide pro bono legal services to survivors of domestic violence in protective orders and family law matters in Montgomery County.
| | Kudos to our January Volunteers | | We proudly celebrate the volunteer attorneys whose dedication brings justice and support to survivors. Please join us in thanking our January volunteers! | | |
ArentFox Schiff LLP: Meghan Hart
Fried Frank Harris Shriver & Jacobson LLP: Abby Jones, Valeria Komorov, Charles Scharf, and Kate St. Romain
Hogan Lovells LLP: Amanda Allen, Rachel Buff, Blair Decker, Fleming Farrell, Jamie Hannah, Justin Hutchings, David Jonas, Rebecca Wilton, and Sam Yergin
King and Spalding LLP: Thomas Ewing and the King and Spalding team
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Latham & Watkins LLP: Maia McFarlin, Annique Roberts
Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith LLP: Angela Silva
U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: Sarah Barron
U.S. Department of Justice: Matthew Chai
Unaffiliated: Christine Bachman, Hedda Garland, Colleen Robbins, Susan Rubel, and Tracy Zorpette
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Baker & Hostetler LLP: Kaitlyn Toth
Capital One: Nina Schichor
Covington & Burling LLP: Emily Pehrsson
Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP: Thayer Ellis
Hogan Lovells US LLP: Hanson Causbie, Adaugo Chukwu, Ali Morris, Marissa Shaw, Deborah Wei
Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP: Abigail Johansen
Latham & Watkins LLP: Caroline Toman, De Vann Sago, Mary Tursi
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O’Melveny & Meyers LLP: Kimberly Sudakow
Reed Smith LLP: Alexa Chronister
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP: Laura Muñoz
Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young LLP: Alex Reilly
Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP: Amy Gopinathan, Josh Mogil
World Bank Group: New-Doe Kaledzi
Unaffiliated: Jenny Brody, Kathryn Bacharach, Deniz Ergener, Hedda Garland, Dale Harburg, David Kanstoroom, Colleen Robbins, Daphna Sher, Jay Stephens
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