Support Your Neighbors

True justice should be impartial and accessible to all, but the sad truth is that justice is often unattainable for those without the resources to afford an attorney. In Washington, DC, typical attorney fees are $300-$600 per hour, an unthinkable sum for the 17.4% of the city’s population living in poverty.[1] Money should never be the “price” of obtaining justice… and that’s where you and we can help.

Give them justice.

With every $1 you give, we provide $3 of free legal services to our neighbors in need.

In 2023, CLADC provided legal aid to more than 650 individuals who could not otherwise afford it. Each client received services valued between $300-$4,000 at no cost to them.

People like you partner with us to cover the costs of administration and legal fees so that CLADC can advocate for justice at no cost to our clients.

“But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just.” — Luke 14:13-14

How You Support Justice

“The generous soul will be made rich, and he who waters will also be watered himself.” — Proverbs 11:25

Legal Service Clinics

Our core practice areas are housing conditions and eviction defense, criminal record sealing (similar to expungement), Social Security benefits, estate planning, and probate (including guardianship issues).

Our attorneys hold one-hour consultations with clients multiple times a month to obtain information and provide legal advice.

legal clinics in 2023 where clients received help for new and ongoing cases

Follow-up Services

For more complex matters, we provide 2-4 hours of legal services including one-on-one consults, research, legal notices, phone calls, letters, and more.

%

of clients received follow-up services

Extended Representation

Attorneys represent clients who need to file motions, appear in court, draft wills, obtain power of attorney, or apply for Social Security.

%

of clients received extended representation to resolve their legal matters

Operating Costs

CLADC is able to provide free services to clients in large part because local attorneys generously give their time to pro bono work. Our operating costs include staff time spent on recruiting attorneys, training volunteers, hosting community legal education workshops, fundraising, paying rent for office space, purchasing legal software, and paying legal fees in some matters for contracted attorneys.

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* 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.