Crucial Funding for Legal Services for Low-Income D.C. Residents
The Access to Justice (ATJ) Initiative funds critical legal services that protect the civil rights of families and communities across Washington, D.C. ATJ is the city’s largest public investment in civil legal services for low- and moderate-income residents.
At the Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs (WLC), we rely on ATJ funding to advance economic justice and civil rights across all eight wards of D.C.
At WLC, the ATJ Initiative supports crucial operations including:
20%
of our annual operating revenue
13
staff positions (about half the total WLC staff)
81
workers’ rights clinics per year
2,266
people served through ATJ in 2024
$1 ⟶ $25
We leverage $25 in legal pro bono support from private law firms for every $1 we receive in ATJ funding
ATJ Benefits All D.C. Residents, in All 8 Wards of the City
ATJ enforces D.C. laws & civil rights.
ATJ funding ensures residents can challenge wage theft, sexual harassment, and inaccessible housing.
ATJ prevents crises, saving D.C. resources.
ATJ keeps families housed, kids in school, and workers employed—reducing pressure on emergency services.
ATJ stabilizes communities.
ATJ supports safe housing, fair pay, and legal protections to build stronger, safer neighborhoods.
ATJ delivers services citywide.
Thanks to ATJ, WLC serves residents in all eight wards—ensuring justice isn’t limited by income or zip code.
ATJ multiplies public investment.
ATJ dollars unlock pro bono partnerships that maximize impact without increasing D.C. spending.
ATJ Funds the Work of the Washington Lawyers’ Committee
Since our founding in 1968, the Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs (WLC) has used strategic litigation to advance workers’ rights, housing justice, disability rights, and other essential civil rights for low-income D.C. residents.
In 2025–2026, ATJ funding has supported our work to:
Protect low-wage workers from exploitative employment practices.
The WLC Workers’ Rights Clinic is the only clinic in D.C. offering comprehensive pro bono legal advice on workers’ rights issues. Volunteers advise workers experiencing wage theft, sexual harassment, and retaliatory termination. WLC operates multiple virtual clinics each month as well as in-person clinics at Bread for the City locations in Anacostia and downtown D.C.
End tenant screening practices that discriminate based on race.
In March 2026, Equal Rights Center, represented by WLC, announced a cooperation agreement with JAG Management Company (JAG) to ensure a fair tenant screening process at JAG properties for all applicants, including renters with housing vouchers, past evictions, and criminal records. The agreement resolves ERC’s allegations that JAG illegally discriminated against prospective tenants at four D.C. properties: J. Coopers Row, Jefferson MarketPlace, J Linea, and Pinnacle. The four-year agreement applies to all multifamily rental properties in D.C. owned, leased, or managed by JAG.
Expand access to housing for people with disabilities.
In March 2026, WLC filed a lawsuit against a major D.C. landlord, alleging unlawful discrimination in the design and construction of a brand new, multi-unit apartment building in Georgetown. There’s an acute shortage of accessible housing in D.C. for people with disabilities. Developers who ignore accessibility requirements perpetuate this shortage and limit housing options for people with disabilities.
Improve public safety for people with disabilities.
In May 2025, WLC filed a class action lawsuit on behalf of the D.C. Council of the Blind and five individuals. The complaint highlights systemic barriers that prevent individuals with disabilities from safely crossing most signalized intersections in D.C., depriving them of equal participation in public life. Read the complaint.
The Access to Justice Initiative is not just a line item—it’s a lifeline. Without this funding, D.C. will lose critical legal protections for those who need them most.
We urge the D.C. Council to continue to fully fund the Access to Justice Initiative.
Preserve this vital resource that strengthens our communities, keeps our city strong, and ensures justice is available to all—not just those who can afford it.