Perspectives on Poverty Law from the Bench

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Perspectives on Poverty Law from the Bench

When: 10 July 2018, Noon to 1:30 pm
Where: DLA Piper (500 8th Street NW)

At this brown-bag lunch and panel, a trio of D.C. Superior Court judges will discuss their career paths, what it's like to hear cases in a busy urban courthouse, and how pro bono and public-interest lawyers help to ensure that justice is available to all.

Our panel includes D.C. Superior Court Associate Judges Anita Josey-Herring and Robert Okun, and Magistrate Judge Noel Johnson. The panel will be moderated by D.C. Superior Court Associate Judge (and former Legal Aid lawyer) Julie Becker.

The judges will talk about their career paths: what inspired them to become lawyers, and what steps they took to become judges. They also will discuss the challenges of hearing the cases of litigants who seek to to navigate the legal system on their own. Many litigants in D.C. Superior Court proceed without the assistance of a lawyer because they cannot afford one and there are not sufficient legal services lawyers to help everyone. Finally, they will identify strategies to ensure that the cases before them are heard fully and fairly, regardless of the wealth of the parties involved.

The event is free and open to all. Bring your lunch; we'll provide drinks and desserts.

Thanks our cosponsor, The Legal Aid Society of the District of Columbia, and to DLA Piper for hosting.