Throughout the year, the Committee holds annual and special events that bring together staff, supporters and community members as a time to commemorate milestones, recognize supporters and discuss important topics all in the name of dismantling injustice and pursuing lasting change.
Upcoming Events
Previous Events
Defending and Advancing Civil Rights & Immigrants’ Rights in the Nation’s Capital
In 2025, WLC has brought groundbreaking litigation, defended our constitutional rights, and secured landmark victories. Join our panel of experts to hear about: Safeguarding Constitutional Citizenship for Infants Born on US Soil Securing Transfer of Proud Boys Trademark to Historic Black DC Church Suing Meta for Racially Biased Higher Ed Advertising Practices Challenging Indefinite Detention […] Read More.
What to Expect in 2025: Assault on Immigrants’ Rights & Civil Rights in Greater DC
Join us on January 14 at 12:30 pm EST for a virtual webinar, What to Expect in 2025: Assault on Immigrants’ Rights and Civil Rights in the Greater Washington DC Region Our experts will preview the incoming presidency’s plans on: Mass deportations: worksite raids, local police engagement, activation of National Guard units Attacks on DC governance: DC […] Read More.
Presenting WLC’s New Strategic Plan
WLC leadership gathered with supporters and members of our community on Tuesday, Sept. 24 for a brief on our NEW strategic plan, approved in June 2024. Speakers included: Avis Buchanan, Co-Lead of the Board Strategic Planning Committee Joanne Lin, Executive Director Ryan Downer, Legal Director and Co-Lead for the Staff Strategic Planning Committee Read More.
Supreme Court Webinar | City of Grants Pass v. Johnson
Watch a webinar conversation with the Washington Lawyers’ Committee about the SCOTUS decision in City of Grants Pass v. Johnson upholding a set of city ordinances that criminalize homelessness. On April 22, 2024, WLC Board member Kelsi Brown Corkran, the Supreme Court Director for the Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection at Georgetown Law, argued before the […] Read More.
Book Talk with Judge David S. Tatel
On June 25, 2024, we gathered for a book talk with the Honorable Judge David S. Tatel on his upcoming memoir Vision: A Memoir of Blindness and Justice. Judge Tatel served for nearly 30 years on America’s second highest court, the United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, where he championed equal […] Read More.
2024 Wiley A. Branton Luncheon
Thank you for joining us Wednesday, May 29th as we celebrate and honor the commitment of our award winners and their organizations at our 2024 Wiley A. Branton Awards Luncheon! Wiley A. Branton Awards Luncheon May 29, 2024 Networking 11:30 am | Program & Lunch: 12:00–1:30 pm JW Marriott 1331 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, DC […] Read More.
VIRTUAL PANEL: Civil Rights & Liberties affecting Asian Pacific Americans
Join us for a virtual panel on civil rights and liberties affecting Asian Pacific Americans in conversation with: Shoba Wadhia, DHS Officer for Civil Rights and Liberties Joanna Derman, Asian Americans Advancing Justice – AAJC Amandeep Sidhu, Winston & Strawn Joanne Lin, Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs VIRTUAL PANEL: Civil Rights […] Read More.
Workers’ Rights Supreme Court Webinar: Muldrow v. St. Louis
On Wednesday, May 1, 2024, the Washington Lawyers’ Committee and the Metropolitan Washington Employment Lawyers Association hosted a discussion on the latest victory for workers’ rights in the Supreme Court, Muldrow v. City of St. Louis (decided on April 17), holding that an employee challenging a job transfer need only show some (rather than significant) […] Read More.
Immigration Supreme Court Webinar: Wilkinson v. Garland
On Wednesday, March 27, 2024, the Washington Lawyers’ Committee hosted a discussion on the Supreme Court’s latest immigration decision (issued Mar. 19) holding that an Immigration Judge’s hardship determination is reviewable by a federal court. For those of you who missed the Wilkinson v. Garland webinar, please click the link below: Immigration Supreme Court Webinar: […] Read More.
Book Talk with Professor Tricia Rose
On Wednesday, March 20, 2024, the Washington Lawyers’ Committee hosted a book talk with Professor Tricia Rose on her upcoming book Metaracism: How Systemic Racism Devastates Black Lives–And How We Break Free, a bracing and invaluable new account of what systemic racism actually is, how it works, and how we can fight back. Professor Tricia Rose directs the […] Read More.
Bending the Arc: WLC’s 2024 Racial Justice Agenda
Join us for a panel event on WLC’s racial justice strategy for 2024. We will discuss our recently published report on the DC gang database, and our current housing justice and education equity work. The in-person event will be held at Arnold & Porter on February 21st at 12 pm. RSVP below! Bending the Arc: […] Read More.
2023 John Burke Pro Bono Luncheon
On October 18th, 2023, the Washington Lawyers’ Committee’s clients, co-counsel, staff, and partners gather to celebrate civil rights pro bono work! Attendees saw the debut of our new Legal Director, Ryan Downer, and learned about workers’ rights and decarceration. Watch the video below to learn more! Thank you to ArentFox Schiff LLP for hosting us […] Read More.
2023 Wiley A. Branton Awards Luncheon
Thank you to everyone who joined us in celebrating and honoring the commitment of our award winners and their organizations at our 2023 Wiley A. Branton Awards Luncheon! Photos from the 2023 Branton Luncheon are available here. Check out our Outstanding Achievement Award videos featuring our incredible clients, co-counsel, and staff below. A full recording […] Read More.