There’s a good chance you know Renee Brandon. For the past 14 years, Renee has been the first point of contact for WLC’s clients, co-counsel, interns, and staff. When you step off the elevator into WLC’s office, Renee is probably the first person you will see. She’s the one who regularly answers your phone call. She makes sure our office functions every day. But none of that captures what Renee means to us here at the Washington Lawyers’ Committee.

On her first day here several years ago, Rhonda Cunningham Holmes, our Deputy Director, found Renee warm and welcoming. That impression has been validated ever since. “She is kind, respectful and uses great judgment in her interactions with the public. She is unflappable. As our first line of contact with the public she serves an invaluable role in demonstrating the Committee’s commitment to the dignity of all people. We are extremely fortunate she is part of our team.”

“I could not do my job without Renee,” says Deb Golden, WLC’s DC Prisoner Project Director. “Her ability and grace in handling client calls makes sure that I can focus on their legal needs.”

Renee says that some people are surprised by how much she likes her job, but for her it’s simple—she likes helping people. She likes seeing the look on clients’ faces when a case is finally over and they are holding a check compensating them for discrimination they experienced. She is especially touched by cards she receives on holidays from our clients in prison.

We are lucky to have Renee as part of the WLC family. This became especially clear last year when she fell ill for a few months. We are grateful we were able to rally to support her, like she supports us every day.