About Us
CLADC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, non-partisan, Christian legal services organization incorporated in 2007.
Money should not be the “price” of justice, but in a less-than-perfect world, it often is.
Washington, DC, has one of the highest poverty and unemployment rates in the nation, which means that many residents cannot afford typical attorney fees of $300-600 per hour to settle their legal matters.[1] They struggle to move past old criminal records, negotiate with negligent landlords, file for Social Security benefits, and manage inheritances.
Many cases have poor outcomes. Injustice persists — all for want of an expensive attorney.
Christian Legal Aid of DC steps in to resolve this inequity.
We provide free legal advice and services to low-income residents in the District by organizing legal clinics and connecting them to attorneys so they don’t have to navigate the legal system alone.
In 2022 alone, we provided legal aid to more than 400 individuals at no cost to them. Learn more about how the work of CLADC helps to fill the Justice Gap.
With our free legal services, our clients get access to the justice that would otherwise be denied them because they can’t afford an attorney.
CLADC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, non-partisan, Christian legal services organization incorporated in 2007.
Money should not be the “price” of justice, but in a less-than-perfect world, it often is.
Washington, DC, has one of the highest poverty and unemployment rates in the nation, which means that many residents cannot afford typical attorney fees of $300-600 per hour to settle their legal matters.[1] They struggle to move past old criminal records, negotiate with negligent landlords, file for Social Security benefits, and manage inheritances.
Many cases have poor outcomes. Injustice persists — all for want of an expensive attorney.
Christian Legal Aid of DC steps in to resolve this inequity.
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Putting our Christian faith in action
Here are some of the ways we work out our faith at CLADC.
“Learn to do good; seek justice, rebuke the oppressor; defend the fatherless, plead for the widow.” — Isaiah 1:17

We are present.
Everyone who calls CLADC asking for legal help is treated with the respect all people are due as God’s image bearers. We listen to their stories and connect clients to our legal aid or another legal service when the situation is outside of our expertise.

We pray.
The staff and volunteers pray for every client’s situation during times of private and team prayer. Sometimes clients want to pray with us during their consultations. We are glad to do so and consistently offer to pray together.

We provide personal relationships.
Our clinics and follow-up consultations are opportunities for our clients to be heard and receive guidance. Rather than feel limited by their poverty, they receive empathy and practical help.

We partner with fellow Christians.
Though CLADC does not exclusively aid Christians, many of our clients are rich in faith as brothers and sisters in Christ. As we mutually encourage and pray for one another, we “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2).
Who We Are
Staff
Whitney King
Executive Director
About
Nicole Wargel
Legal Assistant
About
Julia Williams
Program Coordinator
About
Although Julia does not currently practice law, she is passionate about helping people access legal services and is excited to be working to advance CLADC’s mission. In her free time, Julia enjoys reading, exploring DC, and traveling. She and her husband attend Fourth Presbyterian Church in Bethesda.
Sheily Virella
Pro Bono Manager
About
She is passionate about serving others and creating opportunities for access to legal services. She has volunteered with DC Central Kitchen, Atlas Performing Arts Center, among other international and legal organizations. As a Christian, she is honored to work in advancing CLADC’s mission.
David Pasti
Staff Attorney
About
Dave joins CLADC in this part-time role as he still manages his own practice. Dave is very excited to use the skills God has given him for such a noble cause.
Advisors
Jeremy McClain
Ministry Advisor
About
Jeremy is married to his wonderful wife, Tiffany, and the Lord has blessed them with four wonderful children.
Kathlyn Scott
Probate Advisor
About
Before private practice, Kathlyn worked as in-house counsel for Fortune 100 corporations and what is currently known as the United States International Development Finance Corporation.
Matthew Degioia
Social Security Benefits Advisor
About
Matthew DeGioia grew up in Queens, New York, before moving to Washington, DC to attend The George Washington University and later The George Washington University Law School, where he is a recent J.D. graduate.
Matthew has multiple years of experience assisting on disability benefits claims. In addition to SSDI and SSI cases, he also has experience working on FERS disability retirement claims for federal employees, ERISA short-term disability and long-term disability insurance claims, and disability retirement claims through the State of Maryland.
Matthew currently works at a small firm in Silver Spring, MD that specializes in disability benefits law, family law, collections, and other areas of civil litigation. He also serves as a Court Appointed Special Advocate through CASA for Children of DC., which provides support for children who have open abuse and neglect cases in DC Family Court.
Robert Rose
Expungement Advisor
About
From 2013-17, he served on the board of directors for Jim White Community Fitness Foundation, a nonprofit that provides fitness and nutrition services to homeless and other underprivileged people in Hampton Roads. He is a member of Christ Our Shepherd Church in SE DC. In his spare time, he enjoys reading, playing basketball, and going for long runs.
Board of Directors
Karen Wu
Board Chair
About
From 2009-17, Karen served on the Board of Directors of Open Hands Legal Services, a Christian legal aid ministry serving low income New Yorkers. Karen and her family attend Emmanuel Presbyterian Church in Arlington, Virginia.
Hannah Akintoye
Board Member
About
Sam Logan
Board Member
About
Sam has served on the CLADC Board since 2007. During that time, he has also served as clinic director at the Central Union Mission clinic and as a volunteer. Sam is currently Chief Legal Officer for an artificial intelligence company headquartered in Washington, DC. Previously, Sam was Vice President and Deputy General Counsel for a global education technology company. From 2005-2010, Sam worked in the Washington, DC office of a large law firm. At the firm, he represented clients across the communications, education, healthcare, aerospace and defense industries. Sam received his J.D. with honors in 2005 from Georgetown University Law Center. Sam lives in the Washington, DC metro region with his artist wife and their two children.
Join Our Team
Join us in providing access to justice for the most vulnerable.
God calls on all of us to have compassion for those who are vulnerable and oppressed, and show our love by taking action (1 John 3:17). We are committing to showing Christ’s love to our neighbors in DC by securing justice for them. If you want to work out your faith alongside us, please come join our group of passionate volunteers!
* Sources
Edelman, Peter B. (2019). Delivering Justice: Addressing Civil Legal Needs in the District of Columbia. Washington, DC: D.C. Access to Justice Commission, p. 1.