Capital Pro Bono Honor Roll Sets New Record With 6,000+ Attorneys
April 28, 2026
On April 21 D.C. Court of Appeals Chief Judge Anna Blackburne-Rigsby and D.C. Superior Court Chief Judge Milton C. Lee Jr. released the 15th annual Capital Pro Bono Honor Roll, recognizing the contributions of D.C. Bar members and others who provided 50 hours or more of pro bono service in the past year.
The 2025 Capital Pro Bono Honor Roll set a new record with 6,052 attorneys representing more than 180 law firms, solo practices, government agencies, corporations, associations, nonprofit organizations, and academic institutions providing pro bono work.
Many participants exceeded the 50-hour benchmark by a generous margin, with 57 percent having provided 100 or more pro bono hours, qualifying them for inclusion in the High Honor Roll. Together the honorees contributed a total of 474,350 hours of pro bono legal work to those who cannot afford counsel as well as to disadvantaged small businesses and community-based nonprofits.
"Pro bono participation is simply indispensable to the efficient functioning of our civil justice system. We are encouraged by the record-breaking number of lawyers qualifying for the 2025 Honor Roll and know that more pro bono legal work translates into more District residents receiving much-needed help, as well as increased access to justice in our community," the chief judges said in an open letter.
"Pro bono service changes individual lives, strengthens families and communities, protects fundamental rights, and reinforces public trust in our legal system. Whether assisting clients facing urgent legal challenges, supporting community organizations and small businesses, or contributing to systemic reform efforts, your work has a lasting and profound impact," they added. "Your dedication of time, expertise, and resources to individuals and communities who would otherwise go without legal representation reflects the highest ideals of the legal profession."
Jodi Feldman, pro bono manager of the District of Columbia Courts, expressed the importance of pro bono contributions to the courts' core mission. "The majority of individual civil litigants in the D.C. Courts do not have counsel, simply because they can't afford a lawyer. Increased pro bono representation is a critical piece of the puzzle in fulfilling the D.C. Courts' mission: Open to All, Trusted by All, Justice for All," she said.
Feldman went on to describe various programs that support pro bono efforts, including court tours, pro bono fairs, panel discussions, and other opportunities "for lawyers to learn about the many pro bono needs in our local courts and how they can make a meaningful impact right here in our community."
The Capital Pro Bono Honor Roll, established in 2011, is supported by the D.C. Access to Justice Commission, the D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center, and the D.C. Bar.
"We are deeply grateful to the record-breaking number of attorneys recognized on this year's Honor Roll, whose extraordinary contributions of time, talent, and expertise are especially meaningful at a moment of tremendous need," said Pro Bono Center Executive Director Kelli Neptune. "At a time when so many clients face serious legal challenges and funding pressures continue to strain the legal services system, their service is more important than ever in helping ensure our neighbors can access life-changing legal help when they need it most."
Attorneys interested in contributing pro bono services through the courts can learn more online or by contacting [email protected]. The D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center also makes it easy to get involved by offering a range of opportunities, from brief advice clinics to full-representation matters, all backed by training, mentorship, and ongoing support. Email [email protected] or visit dcbar.org/pro-bono to get started.
Enrollment for the 2026 Capital Pro Bono Honor Roll will open in January 2027.
