Pro Bono Center Training Program

The D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center hosts training sessions for attorneys and paralegals who wish to undertake pro bono assignments from the Pro Bono Center or another local legal services provider. We recruit expert practitioners to offer comprehensive, issue- or area- specific trainings that focus on the needs of underserved communities in Washington, D.C. Please click on the titles below for more information and to register.

The D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center was the 2022 recipient of The Frederick B. Abramson Award, recognizing a Bar committee or project that has resulted in significant benefit to the Bar and its members.

Upcoming Trainings

Estate Planning for Low-Income DC Residents (2-Parts)
Part 1: Monday, September 8, 2025
Part 2: Monday, September 15, 2025
12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. (In-Person)

Registration

Making the Record for Appeal
Monday, September 15, 2025
12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. (Virtual)

Registration

Client-Centered Lawyering Training
Monday, September 22, 2025
12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. (In-Person)

Registration

Probate for Low-Income DC Residents (2-Parts)
Part 1: Monday, October 27, 2025
Part 2: Monday, November 3, 2025
12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. (In-Person)

Registration

Cross Examination of the Vocational Expert in Social Security ALJ Disability Hearings
TBD (November 2025)
1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. (Virtual)

Registration

Pro Bono Housing Training- Eviction Defense, Housing Conditions Calendar, and Eviction Records Sealing (2-Parts)
Part 1: Monday, December 1, 2025
Part 2: Monday, December 8, 2025
12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. (In-Person)

Registration

Representing Social Security Claimants: Rules of Conduct and Standards of Responsibility for Appointed Representatives
TBD (December 2025)
1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. (Virtual)

Nuts and Bolts of Social Security Disability Law and Practice- The Series
TBD (December 2025)
1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. (Virtual)

Training Requirements

Please note that the eligibility and obligations differ for each training session, based on programming needs and clinical requirements. Participants attending pro bono trainings offered by the D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center are required to perform pro bono legal services for the D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center or one of the sponsoring organizations. This rule may be waived for individuals who are employed by a nonprofit legal service provider. Interns and loaned associates are considered to be “employed by” the organizations with which they are affiliated. Any other pro bono requirement waiver may be obtained on a case-by-case basis. Attorneys who are not licensed in the District of Columbia should review D.C. Court of Appeals Rule 49, which allows non-D.C. attorneys to engage in pro bono work under certain circumstances.

Fee Waivers

The DC Bar Pro Bono Center is committed to ensuring that financial barriers do not prevent participation in our training programs. We offer a limited number of fee waivers for attorneys, legal professionals, law students, and non-legal professionals who demonstrate financial need or lack access to professional development funding. Priority is given to those engaged in pro bono or public interest work. For details on eligibility and the application process, please review our Fee Waiver Policy and submit your request using the Fee Waiver Request Form.

Pro Bono Training Refund Policy

Please note that we are unable to provide refunds. If you have registered for a training with the D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center and are unable to attend, we do permit someone else from your organization/firm to attend the training in your place with 24 hours of prior notice. Registration fees cannot be applied to future trainings.

Questions? Contact us at [email protected].

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