Rising for Justice

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Rising for Justice 💜⚖️ Empowering DC residents, strengthening communities, and shaping future justice advocates.

For more than 50 years, Rising for Justice has advanced equity through free legal & social work services. Rising for Justice leverages the collective force of students and experienced advocates to achieve equity and justice for all. Our compendium of programs are designed to designed to create economic stability, keep families in homes, increase health outcomes and employment rates, and ensure that equal justice applies to all regardless of income. Our steady presence in the courts and in the community serves as a vital check on a system that favors people with counsel and resources over people without. Connect with Rising for Justice on our social media:

→ Facebook: www.facebook.com/risingforjustice
→ LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/risingforjustice

“Court efficiency is important, but it cannot come at the expense of due process.” Rising for Justice staff attorney Mas...
10/20/2026

“Court efficiency is important, but it cannot come at the expense of due process.”

Rising for Justice staff attorney Mason Grow brought that message to the DC Council’s Committee on Housing on September 24 while testifying on the proposed Housing Investment Protection Act of 2026.

Drawing on her work representing tenants facing eviction, Mason warned that the bill’s proposed timelines could leave residents with less time to find an attorney, seek rental assistance, and prepare their defenses. Accelerating proceedings could increase the risk of displacement while stretching already scarce court resources even thinner.

RFJ is grateful for our dedicated attorneys who advocate for our clients in the courtroom and before the DC Council. Thank you to Street Sense Media a for covering this legislation and highlighting Mason’s testimony. Read the full article at https://streetsensemedia.org/article/mayors-proposed-housing-bill-faces-scrutiny/

On behalf of the Rising for Justice board and staff, thank you to our 2026 Celebration of Service sponsors, attendees, d...
10/19/2026

On behalf of the Rising for Justice board and staff, thank you to our 2026 Celebration of Service sponsors, attendees, donors, and host committee for making this year’s event such a meaningful success.

Together, we raised more than $310,000 to support RFJ’s legal and social work services, helping DC residents protect their rights, housing, and stability.

It was an honor to recognize Gwendolyn Washington, Pro Bono Counsel at Cleary Gottlieb and a former RFJ student attorney, for her career dedicated to service.

We also celebrated this year’s Donald J. Ridings, Jr. Award for Service recipients, Kirkland & Ellis LLP and Thomas E. Zeno of Miles & Stockbridge, for their outstanding pro bono service through RFJ’s Criminal Record Sealing Program.

If you would like to contribute to this campaign or deepen your impact, there’s still time to contribute: https://secure.givelively.org/donate/rising-for-justice-inc/help-us-raise-350-000-for-a-more-just-dc-34000c81-3093-48ca-b9d2-9b9d8e095ccc


Gwendolyn McDowell Washington Miles & Stockbridge

Tomorrow, we gather for Rising for Justice's 2026 Celebration of Service. Today, we're 86% of the way to our $350,000 fu...
10/07/2026

Tomorrow, we gather for Rising for Justice's 2026 Celebration of Service.

Today, we're 86% of the way to our $350,000 fundraising goal. Will you help us close the gap?

Your gift helps DC residents protect their housing, understand their rights, and access support when they need it most. Each donation helps fund:

✔ Same-day legal services for tenants in DC Courts’ Landlord & Tenant Branch

✔ Clinical education programs that prepare 50 law and social work students each year to serve as the next generation of justice advocates.

✔ Integrated social work services that address challenges affecting our clients' safety and stability

Donate today to help us reach $350,000 and sustain free legal and social work services for more than 6,000 low-income DC residents each year: https://secure.givelively.org/donate/rising-for-justice-inc/celebration-of-service-2026-sponsorships

With your support, we can build a more just Washington, DC for everyone.

Rising for Justice thanks Covington & Burling LLP for their generous sponsorship of the 2026 Celebration of Service. The...
10/07/2026

Rising for Justice thanks Covington & Burling LLP for their generous sponsorship of the 2026 Celebration of Service.

Their support at this level reflects a deep commitment to equal access to justice in DC, and it directly sustains the legal, social work, and student programs that make our work possible throughout the year.

We are proud to count Covington & Burling LLP among our partners in this work.

Rising for Justice thanks Morrison Foerster for their generous sponsorship of the 2026 Celebration of Service. This supp...
10/02/2026

Rising for Justice thanks Morrison Foerster for their generous sponsorship of the 2026 Celebration of Service.

This support sustains the legal defense, social work, and student programs that allow Rising for Justice to serve DC residents facing legal crises year-round.

We are proud to count Morrison Foerster among our partners in this work.

Join Morrison Foerster and our growing community of supporters by donating to Rising for Justice today at https://secure.givelively.org/donate/rising-for-justice-inc/celebration-of-service-2026-sponsorships

Education is one of the most powerful tools in the fight for housing justice. Our Tenant Justice Program team partnered ...
09/29/2026

Education is one of the most powerful tools in the fight for housing justice.

Our Tenant Justice Program team partnered with the CARECEN-Central American Resource Center for a Know Your Rights training on housing and eviction defense. Amad Ross, RFJ's Pro Bono Fellow, led participants through the eviction timeline, available defenses, DC Housing Code protections, and language access rights in court, plus the services offered at DC Courts.

Attendees also had the chance to sit down with RFJ attorneys to ask questions and talk through their individual concerns.

Grateful for partners like CARECEN who make this work possible.

Interested in attending an RFJ x CARECEN Know Your Rights Training? Visit our website to view upcoming sessions: https://www.risingforjustice.org/know-your-rights/

Rising for Justice is proud to present the 2026 Donald J. Ridings, Jr. Award for Service to Kirkland & Ellis LLP in reco...
09/28/2026

Rising for Justice is proud to present the 2026 Donald J. Ridings, Jr. Award for Service to Kirkland & Ellis LLP in recognition of the firm’s outstanding pro bono service and commitment to expanding access to justice.

Named in honor of former RFJ Board President Donald J. Ridings, Jr., the award recognizes attorneys and law firms whose dedication to pro bono service strengthens access to legal support for DC residents with limited incomes.

Join us on October 8 at our Celebration of Service as we honor the firm and its attorneys’ collective commitment to service. Contact [email protected] to reserve your seat.

🌟Can’t join us in person? Help us reach our $350,000 fundraising goal with a donation supporting free legal and social work services: https://secure.givelively.org/donate/rising-for-justice-inc/celebration-of-service-2026-sponsorships

Client-centered lawyering starts with understanding.Rising for Justice brought together staff, student attorneys from Ge...
09/23/2026

Client-centered lawyering starts with understanding.

Rising for Justice brought together staff, student attorneys from Georgetown Law, and community partners for an interactive Community Action Poverty Simulation. Participants assumed the roles of families navigating housing, employment, transportation, caregiving, health care, and unexpected emergencies.

The experience challenged common stereotypes and highlighted the structural barriers that perpetuate poverty. It reinforced the importance of understanding each client’s circumstances and centering their needs, priorities, and goals in effective, empathetic advocacy.

Rising for Justice is grateful to Wilkinson Stekloff for serving as the leading sponsor of the 2026 Celebration of Servi...
09/22/2026

Rising for Justice is grateful to Wilkinson Stekloff for serving as the leading sponsor of the 2026 Celebration of Service.

The firm’s generous sponsorship directly supports RFJ’s legal, social work, and clinical education programs. This investment helps thousands of DC residents protect their rights, overcome barriers, and build greater stability while preparing future public interest advocates to serve their communities.

We extend our sincere appreciation to Wilkinson Stekloff for its commitment to expanding access to justice across DC.

Join Wilkinson Stekloff and our growing community of sponsors by donating to Rising for Justice today: https://secure.givelively.org/donate/rising-for-justice-inc/celebration-of-service-2026-sponsorships

Rising for Justice will present the 2026 Donald J. Ridings, Jr. Award for Service to Thomas E. Zeno of Miles & Stockbrid...
09/17/2026

Rising for Justice will present the 2026 Donald J. Ridings, Jr. Award for Service to Thomas E. Zeno of Miles & Stockbridge in recognition of his outstanding pro bono service throughout DC communities.

The award honors the career of Don Ridings, who began his service as a student attorney in RFJ’s clinical programs and later served as President and a member of our Board of Directors. It recognizes extraordinary attorneys whose pro bono commitment has expanded access to justice for DC residents with limited incomes.

Join us on October 8 as we recognize Thomas E. Zeno and his outstanding commitment to service.

Learn more: https://www.risingforjustice.org/celebration-of-service/

Address

910 4th Street NW
Washington D.C., DC
20001

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 8pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 12pm

Telephone

(202) 638-4798

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