Our Mission
DC Affordable Law Firm delivers accessible justice to modest-income DC residents who do not qualify for traditional sources of free civil legal services and cannot afford standard representation. Our innovative programming expands access to justice by empowering community members with unmet legal needs while also launching the careers of public interest lawyers committed to accessible justice. Through our dignified no-cost and low-cost representation options, DCALF bridges the gap in legal services, changes DC’s legal landscape, and makes accessible justice a reality.
Eliminating the Justice Gap.
THE DCALF MODEL
In the District of Columbia, more than 100,000 residents are on their own when they seek access to justice. They are ineligible for traditional forms of free legal aid and unable to afford private counsel. In turn, 9 out of 10 of those residents are forced to represent themselves in legal proceedings where they can be at risk of losing custody of their children, being deported from this country, or facing other potentially life-altering consequences.
Recognizing the need for accessible legal assistance for residents of the District of Columbia, DCALF was born in 2015 out of a collaboration between Georgetown University Law Center and the law firms of ArentFox Schiff and DLA Piper, and has since expanded to include social justice warriors from The University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law (UDC Law). DCALF’s legal team participates in a custom-designed, simulation-based training program, so DCALF’s lawyers are immediately prepared to provide compassionate and effective representation to their clients.
In sum, DCALF’s vision is twofold – to eliminate inequities in DC’s civil justice system while launching the careers of the next generation of public interest attorneys committed to closing the access to justice gap.
Clients of DCALF finally have advocates fighting alongside them — they no longer have to contend with legal issues and opposing counsel on their own.
Since DCALF’s inception, our organization has excelled in intentionally building a consistent pipeline of passionate, diverse, public interest talent through our distinctive fellowship program. Over the course of our 15-month fellowship, fellows gain invaluable work experience and mentorship from veteran attorneys, all while earning a competitive public interest salary. Fellows start their careers at DCALF with immersive, full-time, simulation-based training steeped in the fundamentals of litigation, client-centered lawyering, and DCALF’s three practice areas. Unlike many post-graduate opportunities or experiences available to first-year associates, DCALF lawyers actually practice law. They work directly with clients, appear in court, negotiate settlements, draft legal documents, and otherwise carry a full and active civil caseload.
Learn More About the DCALF Fellowship Program
DC Affordable Law Firm is proud to announce that we've once again been selected for the Catalogue for Philanthropy's 2022-23 class of nonprofits! Please visit the Catalogue for Philanthropy's website to learn more about this esteemed designation.
