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
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.
Previous Events
2022 John Burke Pro Bono Breakfast
The Washington Lawyers’ Committee gathered with its partners and supporters on November 16, 2022 to hear from our clients, co-counsel, volunteers, and staff about some the crucial pro bono work that you help make possible. The breakfast is named in memory of John L. Burke, Jr. For over 20 years, John served with distinction as […] Read More.
2022 Wiley A. Branton Awards Luncheon
Thank you to everyone who joined us in celebrating our award winners and their organizations in their commitment to dismantle injustice and pursue lasting change. Read our full program book here! Read More.
2022 Founders’ Reception
The Washington Lawyers’ Committee invites you to join our past and present Co-Chairs, Board Members, and Trustees at the 2022 Founders’ Reception. Monday, April 25, 2022 5:30pm-7:30pm Home of Tersh Boasberg 3136 Newark Street NW, Washington D.C. Read More.
A Conversation with Congressman Jamie Raskin
On Monday, May 9, 2022, we gathered for a conversation with Congressman Jamie Raskin about his recent book Unthinkable: Trauma, Truth, and the Trials of American Democracy, sponsored by our Associate Trustees. In the book Congressman Raskin weaves together the remarkable life of his son, who died by suicide, and the insurrection of the Capitol […] Read More.
2021 John Burke Pro Bono Breakfast
The Washington Lawyers’ Committee gathered with our partners and supporters December 1, 2021 hear more about our focus to dismantle injustice based on racial discrimination and to repair the damage of historical racial inequity. Presentations by clients, community members, co-counsel and staff will highlight the crucial work that you help make possible. Participation is free […] Read More.
2021 Virtual Founders’ Reception
Thank you for joining our past and present Co-Chairs, Board Members and Trustees at the Committee’s 2021 Virtual Founders Reception! The discussion was led by guests Avis Buchanan, former WLC alumna and head of PDS & Ben Wilson, former Co-Chair of the Board, current Member and leadership at Beveridge & Diamond. Ben and Avis have […] Read More.
2020 John Burke Pro Bono Breakfast
The Washington Lawyers’ Committee cordially invites our supporters to join us to hear more about our renewed focus to dismantle injustice based on racial discrimination and to repair the damage of historical racial inequity. Presentations by clients, co-counsel and staff will highlight the crucial work that you help make possible. Participation is free and open […] Read More.
2020 Wiley A. Branton Awards Luncheon – Canceled
I regret to announce that the Washington Lawyers’ Committee is forced to cancel the Wiley A. Branton Awards Luncheon, which was scheduled for June 17. After much discussion, we realized that it will be impossible to reschedule the event this year. Read More.
2019 John Burke Pro Bono Breakfast
The Washington Lawyers’ Committee came together on November 8, 2019 to share more about our renewed focus to dismantle injustice based on racial discrimination and to repair the damage of historical racial inequity. Presentations by clients, co-counsel and staff highlighted the crucial work that you help make possible. The breakfast is named in memory of […] Read More.
2019 Wiley A. Branton Awards Luncheon
On Wednesday, June 26th, the Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights & Urban Affairs convened with the legal and corporate supporters to celebrate the last year and honor those that have made an important difference in the cause of civil rights. Read More.
50th Anniversary Articles Symposium
The Washington Lawyers’ Committee is pleased to announce that the set of articles prepared in connection with the Committee’s 50th Anniversary have just been published by the Howard Law Journal. Please join us for a special program featuring a discussion of these articles and presentations by the authors and several guest commentators. In addition to a review of the Committee’s accomplishments over its first five decades, the articles also suggest important areas for future engagement. Read More.
Representing Dr. Christine Blasey Ford
On Tuesday, April 24, 2019, The Associate Trustees of the Washington Lawyers’ Committee hosted a conversation with Debra Katz and Michael R. Bromwich about their representation of Dr. Christine Blasey Ford during her testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee. The conversation was moderated by Susan M. Hoffman of Crowell & Moring LLP and DC Bar President-Elect.
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2018 Wiley A. Branton Awards Dinner
It is easy to look at injustice and equality today and despair about what has not been accomplished. Our 50th Anniversary Wiley A. Branton Awards Dinner showed why that would be a mistake. Read More.
50th Anniversary Reunion
On June 5th, we gathered together as community to celebrate 50 years of the Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs. We had great representation at the event of people from all periods of the Committee’s existence – from founders to current law clerks and future civil rights warriors. The energy in the room was terrific. Read More.
A Discussion with Richard Rothstein
On Monday, March 19, 2018, the Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs hosted an evening with Richard Rothstein discussing his best-selling and award winning book The Color of Law. This thoroughly researched and richly documented book traces the history of government policy that created and enforced racial segregation in housing in urban America. Read More.
2018 Civil Rights Scavenger Hunt
The inaugural Civil Rights Scavenger Hunt was a remarkable event that engaged scores of summer associates, associates, partners and office staff from law firms and other nonprofits from across the city. Some of our city’s civil rights history is obvious, but many landmarks are hidden or have been forgotten Read More.