News

July 11, 2022

Superior Court Issues Orders Regarding Access to Juvenile Justice Data

On July 11 the Superior Court of the District of Columbia issued Administrative Orders 22-10 and 22-11 regarding access to juvenile justice data. The first authorizes the Office of the Attorney General of the District of Columbia (OAG) to share case records and law enforcement records of juveniles in the delinquency system with researchers at the Urban Institute for the purposes of evaluating OAG’s restorative justice prosecution program.

July 07, 2022

Meredith Jannsen Joins D.C. Bar as New Director of Marketing & Communications

By Jeremy Conrad

The D.C. Bar has appointed Meredith Jannsen as its new director of Marketing and Communications tasked with overseeing organizational efforts to provide member-centered marketing and communications, drive engagement, and elevate the profile of the Bar and its services.

July 07, 2022

Court Amends Rule 49 to Bring Clarity, Consistency on Unauthorized Practice of Law

By Jeremy Conrad

The District of Columbia Court of Appeals issued Order No. M-277-21 on June 22, adopting amendments to Rule 49 on the unauthorized practice of law (UPL). The revised rule takes effect on August 22.

July 05, 2022

Bar Seeks Candidates for Various Committee and Board Vacancies

The D.C. Bar Board of Governors is seeking candidates for appointment in the fall to the following standing committees: Clients’ Security Fund, Communities, Continuing Legal Education, Global Legal Practice, Judicial Evaluation, Lawyer Assistance, Leadership Development, Nominations, Pro Bono, and Regulations/Rules/Board Procedures.

June 30, 2022

D.C. Circuit Court Seeks Applicants for Federal Public Defender, Invites Comment on Current Officer

The United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit is accepting applications for the position of federal public defender for the District of Columbia. Serving a four-year term beginning September 22, 2022, the federal public defender provides federal criminal defense services to individuals unable to afford counsel.

June 28, 2022

At 2022 D.C. Bar Conference, Speakers Contemplate Challenges & Future of Law

By Jeremy Conrad and John Murph

D.C. Bar members, leaders, and others in the D.C. legal community gathered on June 23 at the Renaissance Washington, DC Downtown Hotel for the Bar’s 2022 Conference celebrating its golden anniversary and envisioning its next 50 years. The event featured panel discussions with past and present leaders of the Bar as well as a fireside chat with high-powered U.S. Supreme Court litigator Neal Katyal.

June 27, 2022

Superior Court Issues New Order on Post-Commitment Juvenile Representation

On June 24 the Superior Court of the District of Columbia issued Administrative Order 22-09 regarding the establishment of post-commitment juvenile attorney panel members. This order supersedes Administrative Order 22-08 issued June 8.

June 27, 2022

D.C. Bar Honors GW Law’s John Whealan With Champion of Intellectual Property Award

By John Murph

On June 22 the D.C. Bar Intellectual Property (IP) Law Community honored John M. Whealan, associate dean for IP law at George Washington University Law School (GW Law), with its Champion of Intellectual Property Award. The ceremony was held in person on the rooftop of the D.C. Bar headquarters.

June 27, 2022

2022 Presidents Reception Raises Record $1.23 Million for Pro Bono Center

By John Murph

The D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center raised a record-breaking $1.23 million for the 2022 Presidents Reception on June 23 at the Renaissance Washington, DC Downtown Hotel. The annual event, hosted by past presidents of the Bar, raises funds to support the Center’s transformative work and in honor of the Bar’s incoming president.

June 27, 2022

Superior Court Enacts Amendments to Civil Procedure Rules

On June 24 the D.C. Superior Court Board of Judges issued Rule Promulgation Order 22-09 approving amendments to Superior Court Rules of Civil Procedure 3-I, 5, 10-I, 39, 40-I, and 79.