Catherine DiSarno, DC Resource Bridge Program Manager

Catherine joined the DC Bar Foundation in 2025 as the DC Resource Bridge Program Manager with more than ten years of experience in criminal defense and public interest law. She manages the implementation of the DC Resource Bridge and fosters strong working relationships with DC’s civil legal services providers. Catherine’s mission is to ensure that DC residents have access to justice regardless of income.

As a practicing attorney, Catherine zealously advocated for the rights of clients at every level of the justice system. While completing her JD at Gonzaga Law, she focused her efforts on juvenile justice and received the CALI Excellence for the Future Award. Catherine volunteered with the Washington State Bar Association Moderate Means Program, conducting intakes and referrals for low-income residents seeking legal services. In DC, she spent two years as a guardian ad litem with Volunteer Legal Advocates and was a member of the 2018 Capitol Pro Bono Honor Roll with over 100 hours of pro bono service. Immediately prior to joining the DC Bar Foundation, Catherine worked as a public defender for the Department of Assigned Counsel in Tacoma, Washington. She specialized in representing clients experiencing mental health issues.

Catherine’s most transformative years were spent volunteering and working for the Jesuit Volunteer Corps. As a Jesuit Volunteer, Catherine taught elementary students in one of New Orleans’ most underserved communities and witnessed the many ways in which society’s most vulnerable are negatively impacted by overincarceration and underinvestment. This experience affirmed Catherine’s belief in the goodness of people and fostered a passion for advocacy that drives her forward today.

Outside of work, Catherine enjoys spending time with family and friends. She deeply appreciates her husband who does the majority of the cooking, and long walks with her dog. Catherine loves to travel, read, and share new experiences with her bright, adventurous daughter.