Washington, D.C.—On Saturday, October 18, the DC Bar Foundation Young Lawyers Network hosted more than 300 young lawyers and others in its second annual gala event, “Go Formal for Justice,” to raise almost $64,000 for the Foundation, topping last year’s proceeds by $9,000.
DCBF executive director, Kirra L. Jarratt said, “The Young Lawyers Network did a phenomenal job creating a signature event to benefit DC’s legal services providers. We are so thankful for the guests, sponsors, and auction donors who helped make this year’s event such a success.”
The black tie event, held in the dazzling lobby at Mayer Brown LLP’s K Street office, included entertainment from Crazy in Stereo; spirits tastings by Leopold Brothers, Green Hat Gin, and Virginia Distillery Company; craft beer and liquor from Devils Backbone, Green Hat Gin, Copper Fox, Lyon Distillery Company, Virginia Distillery Company, A. Smith Bowman, and Belmont Farms Distillery; a photo booth; a tarot card reader; and a silent auction featuring a set visit for a taping of “The NFL Today,” a wine weekend in Charlottesville, a private boat trip on the Potomac, and a personalized signed copy of Hillary Clinton’s Hard Choices. An after-party was held at Crepeaway, which donated 20% of their proceeds from 12am to 1am to the Foundation.
The event was chaired by Courtney Weiner of Lewis Baach PLLC and Alison Lima Andersen of Arent Fox LLP. Weiner, also the co-chair of the Young Lawyers Network Leadership Council, said, “We were thrilled to be able to throw a great party that brought young lawyers out to support the Bar Foundation.” DC Bar Foundation president Marc Fleischaker of Arent Fox LLP said, “This is fast becoming a special tradition in the Washington legal community.”
“Go Formal for Justice” coincides with the start of Pro Bono Week, celebrated nationwide from October 19 through 25, which ends with the Foundation’s “Go Casual for Justice” jeans day fundraiser, a city-wide event where employees at participating workplaces donate $5 or more to wear jeans to work. The proceeds of both events benefit the District’s legal aid providers.
The DC Bar Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization established in 1977, is the largest funder of civil legal services in the District. The Bar Foundation’s mission is to fund, support, and improve legal representation of the poor, vulnerable, and otherwise disadvantaged in the District of Columbia, and it is committed to the vision that residents of the District have equal access to justice, regardless of income. The Foundation provides grants and training and technical assistance to local non-profit legal services organizations and awards loans to D.C. poverty lawyers to help with their educational debt.
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