News

May 04, 2023

D.C. Courts Are Strong, But Justice Advocates Push for D.C. Autonomy

By John Murph

The D.C. Court of Appeals closed more than 1,100 cases in 2021 and 2022 and reduced the median time on appeal in both years. The court still has one judicial vacancy, which has existed for 10 years. Meanwhile, in 2022 D.C. Superior Court disposed of more than 15,000 cases in the Civil Division, approximately 8,000 in the Domestic Violence Division, 9,329 in Family Court, 2,811 in the Probate Division — a 15 percent increase from 2021 — and nearly 10,000 in the Criminal Division.

May 03, 2023

Superior Court Seeks Applicants for Soon-to-Be Reestablished CJA Panel

D.C. Superior Court is reestablishing its Criminal Justice Act Panel in 2024. Attorneys who are members of the District of Columbia Bar and are committed to providing quality representation to indigent persons with matters in the court’s Criminal Division and Domestic Violence Division may apply.

May 03, 2023

Superior Court Issues Orders on Criminal Justice Act Panel

On May 2 the Superior Court of the District of Columbia issued a series of orders regarding the Criminal Justice Act (CJA) Panel.

May 03, 2023

Superior Court Amends Rule of Civil Procedure 7.1

On May 3 the Superior Court of the District of Columbia issued Promulgation Order 23-01.

May 02, 2023

Conference Panel Reiterates Need to Prioritize Access to Justice

By John Funk

At a crucial moment when the need for affordable legal services continues to rise, a panel of the District of Columbia’s top advocates of legal services met to discuss the importance, the challenges, and the future of access to justice in Washington, D.C.

May 02, 2023

District’s Current and Former AGs Weigh the ‘Good and Bad’ of Limited Home Rule

By William Roberts

Six current and former District of Columbia attorneys general and corporation counsel came together for a lively conversation about home rule at the Judicial & Bar Conference on April 28. Moderated by longtime D.C. political reporter Tom Sherwood, the panelists discussed “the good, the bad, and the funny” of serving as chief legal officer of the District government.

May 01, 2023

At Judicial & Bar Conference, Advocates Paint Uncertain Future of Criminal Code Reform Efforts

By Jeremy Conrad

Approximately 600 members of the D.C. legal community gathered at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center on April 28 for the biennial Judicial & Bar Conference, featuring D.C. Courts judges, former District mayors and attorneys general, members of the D.C. Council, and Bar leaders as speakers.

April 28, 2023

New ABA Survey Shows Declining Civility, Increased Support for Compromise

By Jeremy Conrad

An overwhelming majority of U.S. residents believe civility is worse than it was 10 years ago, blaming social media and general media for the decline, according to the American Bar Association’s (ABA) fifth annual Survey of Civic Literacy released on April 27 in advance of Law Day, May 1.

April 24, 2023

D.C. Bar Announces 2023 Annual Award Winners

By Jeremy Conrad

The District of Columbia Bar congratulates the winners of its 2023 Annual Awards honoring individuals and organizations whose outstanding work and exceptional projects benefited Bar membership, enriched the legal community, and expanded access to justice. The following awardees made important contributions to the advancement of public policy and provided critical assistance for the District’s vulnerable populations.

April 19, 2023

ArentFox Schiff’s Jon Bouker Wins 2023 Brennan Award for Access to Justice Work

By John Murph

The D.C. Bar has named Jon S. Bouker, a partner and government relations practice co-leader at ArentFox Schiff LLP, as the recipient of its 2023 William J. Brennan Jr. Award for his tireless advocacy for access to justice, especially for the District’s most vulnerable population. Bouker will be honored at the Bar’s annual Celebration of Leadership on June 22.