Get Involved
The D.C. chapter is engaged in a variety of progressive legal activities. Here are some ways you can get involved:
Join the Demonstration Support Committee
The Demonstration Support Committee (DSC) is the DC Chapter of the National Lawyers Guild's one standing committee, and it provides legal support for large and small demonstrations in DC. Members of the DSC are law students, lawyers, and legal workers, many of whom are members of the NLG’s Mass Defense Committee. The DSC trains legal observers, advises activists about legal issues, helps activists obtain demonstration permits, visits jailed activists, and provides legal representation. Many times, the DSC can provide attorneys who can advise pro-se activists at their trials. The DSC also holds forums to educate community groups and activists about their rights when dealing with police, and the Courts. The DSC testifies before the DC City Council when legislation is pending that may affect demonstrators' rights, such as when the Council considers legislation to addressing citizen's rights during demonstrations.
The DSC has provided support for large-scale demonstrations involving thousands of demonstrators, including anti-war protests, numerous IMF/World Bank protests, AIDS, Gay and Lesbian demonstrations, and the Immigrant Workers Freedom Ride. The DSC often advises smaller scale gatherings such as ACT-UP demonstrations, anti-war actions, anti-globalization actions, as well as actions by homeless advocates, and protests that support DC Statehood and self-determination.
The DSC has been active since at least the Vietnam war protests in the late 1960's and early 1970's. For over 35 years the DSC has provided legal observers at hundreds of demonstrations and appeared in court for thousands arrested as they marched and rallied for civil rights and reproductive rights or against police misconduct or the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
CONTACT DSC CO-CHAIR ANN WILCOX TO GET INVOLVED WITH THE DSC OR TO REQUEST LEGAL SUPPORT AND/OR LEGAL OBSERVERS FOR YOUR DEMONSTRATION OR POLITICAL ACTION.
Attend a Guild Practitioner Lunch
The Private Practitioner’s Brown Bag Lunch meets monthly and provides an opportunity for NLG members who are private practitioners to meet and share ideas about private practice. These meetings are a great resource for those lawyers who are just starting out, and an opportunity for more experienced members to share their knowledge. Anyone is welcome to attend. If you would like to receive notification of the next practitioner lunch, check out our monthly newsletters or join our list serve.
Be a Mentor or a Mentee
The DC Guild matches practicing guild lawyers with one or more local NLG law students based on the lawyer's area of practice and the student's interest in a year-long mentoring program. Over the course of the year, the students can draw on mentors' advice, professional connections, and experience in developing their careers. If you are a student looking for a Guild mentor, please contact us! Ditto for lawyers who would like to be mentors.
Help Plan or Attend an Event
The DC Guild organizes, co-sponsors, and hosts a variety of events throughout the year. Check our calendar for upcoming events, or suggest an idea for a new event.
Come to a Board Meeting
All members of the Guild are welcome to attend our monthly Board meetings to find out what is happening in the chapter, give input, and help carry out the activities of the Guild. Check our calendar or newsletter for the next Board meeting date.
