On Behalf of all WBA Board Members, we would like to thank you for your membership and continued support of the WBA, its events, and programs! 

Please do reach out to any of the above WBA Board members if you have any questions regarding membership or any of our upcoming events/programs.  You can also send any questions or concerns to info@washingtonbar.org.

2023 – 2024 WBA Membership Dues!!

The Washington Bar Association, Inc. (WBA) welcomes you to the 2023-2024 bar year. Membership dues should be submitted via Member 365 platform.

You may create your WBA Member365 profile and/or pay your dues for the 2023-2024 year by clicking the appropriate membership category link below. Although the form you’ll complete is labeled as an “Application”, it should be used for new memberships, renewals, and logging into your membership profile.

  • Current Life Members should be sure to select the “EXISTING Life member” category below (WBA verification of current life memberships will be required before these profiles are accepted).
  • Current Members should sign into the platform using their login information. Please let us know whether you need assistance logging into your profile.

If you know others who may be interested in establishing or renewing membership in the WBA, please forward this email to them.

We look forward to working with you throughout the year. Questions? Please contact us at info@washingtonbar.org

Thanks for your Support!

Thank you for attending our WBAEF’s Annual Wine Tasting & Scholarship Reception at Meta DC Headquarters

It was a great evening of networking and celebration of our law students. We definitely missed you if you were unable to attend and hope to see you at an upcoming WBA event.

WBA Upcoming Events

In Honor of Women’s History Month

The WBA presents Presidential Fireside Chat with the Chief Judges: Honorable Anna Blackburne-Rigsby and Honorable Anita Josey-Herring

When: March 13, 2024 (6pm-8pm)

Where: Goodwin Procter, LLP

(1900 N Street N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036)

In honor of Women’s History Month, please join us for an insightful program featuring two dynamic women at the helm of their respective Courts – the Honorable Anna Blackburne-Rigsby and the Honorable Anita Josey-Herring. They will share their unique journeys, challenges, and triumphs.

RSVP Below

The Washington Bar Association, Inc. is partnering with the DC Bar Pro Bono Center’s Advice & Referral Clinic

Volunteer to assist with providing free legal advice on D.C. and federal civil matters.

Saturday, March 23, 2024

Bread for the City

700 Marion Barry Avenue SE, Washington, D.C. 20020

10:00AM – 12:00PM

The only requirement is that the lawyer be licensed and in good standing in at least 1 U.S. jurisdiction.

Save the Date!

2024 Annual Law Day Dinner

Saturday, May 4, 2024
6:30PM – 10:00PM
Salamander Washington D.C.

Please join the Washington Bar Association, Inc. (WBA) and the Washington Bar Association Educational Foundation, Inc. (WBAEF) for our signature black-tie event – the Annual Law Day Dinner – on Saturday, May 4, 2024, at the Salamander Washington D.C., located at 1330 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20024, beginning at 6:30 in the evening.

The highlight of the Annual Law Day Dinner is the conferral of the highly coveted Charles Hamilton Houston Medallion of Merit – the Washington Bar Association, Inc.’s highest honor – on the prestigious honorees of the evening, who, through their life’s work, have consistently demonstrated a commitment to Houstonian principles.

Our 2024 recipients of the prestigious Charles Hamilton Houston Medallion of Merit are Valerie Jarrett, former Senior Advisor to United States President Barack H. Obama, Chief Executive Officer and Board Member of the Barack Obama Foundation, Board Chair of Civic Nation, and Co-Chair of the United States of Women, and another surprise history-making honoree. These remarkable trailblazers have distinguished careers that have exemplified stellar leadership, a firm commitment to diversity and inclusion in the legal profession, and dedication to our organization’s mission of “Equal Justice Under Law.”

The 2024 Law Day Dinner promises to be an incredible evening of legal excellence that you will not want to miss. The event will begin with a VIP cocktail reception for sponsors, dignitaries, and other distinguished guests. The program and a formal dinner will follow, and the event will conclude with our much-anticipated dessert reception and live entertainment.

Sponsorships and individual tickets may be purchased at the link below or the WBA’s website (www.washingtonbar.org). If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the 2024 Law Day Dinner Chair, Henry E. Floyd, Jr., at HFloydEsq@gmail.com.

Thank you for your support of the Washington Bar Association, Inc. and the Washington Bar Association Educational Foundation, Inc. We look forward to seeing you at the Salamander on Saturday, May 4, 2024, at 6:30 p.m.

2024 Annual Conference

WBAEF Announcements and Events

Additional Opportunities

DRI 2024 Law Student Diversity Scholarship Program

DRI is the largest international membership organization of attorneys defending the interests of business and individuals in civil litigation. Membership in DRI provides access to resources and tools for attorneys who strive to provide high-quality, balanced, and excellent service to their clients and corporations.

The scholarship’s goal is to provide financial assistance to three worthy law students from ABA-accredited law schools in order to promote, in a tangible way.

One scholarship in the amount of $10,000 and two scholarships in the amount of $5,000 each will be awarded. The recipients will be announced at the DRI Diversity for Success Seminar in Nashville, Tennessee, in June 2024.

This scholarship is open to rising (2024-2025) second- and third-year law students who come from historically marginalized groups, including those who identify as:

  • African American
  • Hispanic
  • Asian
  • Native American
  • LGBTQ+
  • Multiracial
  • Second- and third-year female law students, regardless of race or ethnicity
  • Any other second- and third-year law students who come from backgrounds that would add to the cause of diversity, regardless of race or gender

To qualify for these scholarships, a candidate must be a full-time student. Evening students qualify for consideration if they have completed one-third or more of the total credit hours required for a degree by the applicant’s law school.

Students who are a member of the American Association for Justice (AAJ), law school, or law student members of AAJ, or students otherwise affiliated with or employed by AAJ, are not eligible for DRI’s Law Student Diversity Scholarships.

Applications and all other requested materials must be received by March 31, 2024. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

John Payton Leadership Academy – Spring 2024

Unlock your leadership potential through the John Payton Leadership Academy Spring 2024—an exclusive opportunity for D.C. Bar members to enhance skills and leave a lasting impact in the legal community. The immersive experience covers essential leadership skills, from self-awareness to effective team building and navigating change. Imagine applying these skills in your professional and community engagements.

Designed for any D.C. Bar member keen on elevating their leadership skills—whether a new associate or a seasoned attorney. The 2024 class is limited to 24 participants, ensuring diverse representation in backgrounds, practice settings, and areas.

Don’t miss this chance to refine your leadership skills and join a community of dynamic leaders shaping the future of the legal profession.

ABA Litigation Section 2024 Conference

The ABA Litigation Section is hosting the 2024 Section Annual Conference on May 1-3. 2024 at the Capital Hilton in Washington, DC.

The 2024 Conference will present a unique opportunity to learn and network with a host of litigation practitioners, including in-house counsel, outside counsel, academics, government employees, and judges.

The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF) Applications for its 2024 Scholarships and Summer Internship Programs!

Since 1988, the CBCF have upheld their commitment to nurturing the next generation of Black leaders through academic financial support and professional development opportunities. The scholarship programs provide vital resources to deserving students, while the summer internships offer hands-on experience in the heart of policymaking on Capitol Hill.

2024 Scholarship Program

Scholarships:

  • The Ally Financial Public Policy Scholarship*
  • CBC Spouses Education Scholarship
  • CBC Spouses Essay Contest Scholarship
  • CBC Spouses Performing Arts Scholarship
  • CBC Spouses Visual Arts Scholarship
  • HBCU National Racial Equity Initiative for Social Justice Scholarship
  • The Tracking Foundation Multi-Year Scholarship
  • The Tracking Foundation Scholars Scholarship
  • CBCF Reducing the Financial Barrier Scholarship (Need-based)

Application Deadlines:

  • Phase 1 – March 31, 2024
  • Phase 2 – April 27, 2024

Summer 2024 Internship Program

Program Options:

  • Pathways to the C-Suite Internship Program
  • Congressional Internship Program

Program Dates: May 27 – July 26, 2024

Benefits:

  1. Bi-weekly stipend
  2. Washington, D.C. housing
  3. CBC Member office placement
  4. Professional development training
  5. Exclusive networking opportunities

Application Deadline: March 29, 2024

Requirements:

  • 2.5 GPA (Congressional), 3.0 GPA (C-Suite)
  • Permanent or university residence in a CBC Member district
  • Rising college sophomore, junior, senior, or recent graduate (24 months) by program start date (Congressional)

NBA Upcoming Events

Join the NBA, as they convene in the south of France and enjoy the rich culture of the French Riviera. After the 10 day excursion in Nice and Marseille (May 8-18, 2024), take part in the optional getaway to Barcelona and Ibiza (May 18-24, 2024).

Join the National Bar Association from March 7, 2024- March 10, 2024 for the 4rth Annual Mid-Year Conference and Gertrude E. Rush Awards Dinner in Houston, Texas!

This event pays homage to two of our most devoted civil rights leaders, Gertrude E. Rush and Heman Sweatt.

DC Refers

DC Refers was created to increase access to justice for people of modest means in the District of Columbia. Many people in the District of Columbia earn too much to qualify for free legal services from pro bono lawyers or nonprofit legal aid providers, but do not earn enough to afford the rates that most lawyers charge for their services. People whose income falls between 200-400% of the federal poverty guidelines often have limited or no option to obtain legal assistance. We seek to fill that justice gap.

DC Refers invites lawyers with at least two years of experience in their practice area to apply to join our online directory of reduced fee lawyers. Attorneys who join our directory are not required to accept any particular client referral. But if they do accept a client who qualifies for a reduced rate, the lawyer may not charge the client more than $150 per hour. Of course, clients who do not qualify for a reduced rate may be charged the attorney’s normal rate.

If you know someone who would benefit from our services, please share our fliers in English or Spanish.

To learn more about DC Refers or join our directory visit our website https://dcrefers.org/ or follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Linkedin,

Thank you to our sponsors!

The Washington Bar Association, Inc. (WBA) extends its appreciation and heartfelt THANK YOU to the following sponsors:

Webster & Frederickson, PLLC

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MAKE A DIFFERENCE. DONATE NOW!

Every donation – no matter the amount – is extremely valuable to the Washington Bar Association. Your contribution will help the WBA support professional development and address the related needs of Black lawyers in the District of Columbia, while furthering our commitment to social justice and advocacy efforts on behalf of the Black community.