Legal Network
The Catholic Charities Legal Network offers pro bono civil legal services, providing general information, access to volunteer attorneys and law firms, and referrals to other appropriate legal service organizations.
About the Program
The Catholic Charities Legal Network serves low-income families and individuals whose earnings are equal to or less than 250 percent of the U.S. federal poverty guidelines. The Legal Network serves residents of the District of Columbia and surrounding Maryland counties of Montgomery, Prince George’s, Calvert, Charles and St. Mary’s.
Civil law areas covered by the network include:
- Consumer debt and bankruptcy
- Employment
- Family law (including child custody and domestic violence)
- Landlord-tenant and housing issues
- Public benefits (Social Security, Disability)
- Estate planning: Wills, advanced health care directives and power of attorney
The Legal Network does not handle criminal, fee-generating or immigration cases. Find more information on Immigration Legal Services.
Requests for legal assistance: Call our hotline at 202-350-4305 during the listed hours to go through a prescreen process. If eligible for our services, callers will receive an intake appointment with a volunteer to determine if the program can accept a caller’s matter. Since we cannot guarantee placement of all matters with a volunteer attorney, callers may receive referrals and general information.
For a list of legal resources and referrals in the District of Columbia, visit Law Help DC.
Contact Information
- James D. Bishop, Esq., Director
Additional Information
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Monday: 9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. & 2– 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday: 9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. & 2 – 4:30 p.m.
Wednesday: 9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. & 2 – 7 p.m.
Thursday: 9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. & 2 – 7 p.m.
Friday: 9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. & 2 – 4:30 p.m.
A proud member of the D.C. Consortium of Legal Service Providers
The generous support of the DC Bar Foundation and individual, corporate and law firm donors enables our Catholic Charities Legal Network team to continue to offer the highest quality pro bono civil legal services to our clients. Thank you on our behalf and on behalf of the clients we serve.
Legal Network Advisory Council
Andrew N. Cook, Esq., chairperson, K&L Gates LLP
Michael J. Francese, Esq., immediate past chairperson, Covington & Burling LLP
James P. Gillespie, Esq., ex officio council member, Kirkland & Ellis LLP (ex officio Council member)
John E. McCarthy Jr., Esq., chairperson emeritus, Crowell & Moring LLP (ex officio Council member)
Christopher Anzidei, Esq., general counsel of the Archdiocese of Washington (ex officio Council member)
Brian W. Stolarz, Esq., senior counsel, Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP (ex officio Council member)
Msgr. Peter J. Vaghi, Esq., Church of the Little Flower (chaplain, John Carroll Society, ex officio Council member)
James D. Bishop, Esq., director, Catholic Charities Legal Network
Daniel Archuleta, Esq., Troutman Pepper Hamilton Sanders LLP, council member
Miguel Eaton, Esq., Jones Day, council member
The Honorable Leo E. Green Jr., council member
Andrea Halverson Harper, Esq., assistant general counsel, Pepco Holdings, an Exelon Company, council member
Victoria D. Kelley, Esq., corporate counsel at standard solar, Foley and Lardner LLP, council member
Thomas J. Kelly, Esq., Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLPC, council member
Timothy F. Maloney, Esq., Joseph Greenwald & Laake, PA, council member
Kristine Dunne Maher, Esq., council member
Denis C. Mitchell, Esq., Stein Mitchell Beato & Missner LLP, council member
Stephen J. Obermeier, Esq., Wiley Rein LLP, council member
Bridget K. O’Connor, Esq., Jones Day, council member
Kate O’Scannlain, vice president and assistant general counsel at The Boeing Company, council member
Caroline S. Pinkston, Esq., Hewlett Packard Enterprise, council member
Robert F. Shaffer, Esq., O’Melveny & Myers LLP, council member
Carine S. Stoick, Esq., Hogan Lovells US LLP, council member
Jason N. Workmaster, Esq., Miller & Chevalier Chartered, council member
Support Pro Bono Civil Legal Services
Catholic Charities’ Legal Network hosts activities throughout the year, including an annual golf tournament to be held Sept. 23, 2024, at Bretton Woods, and a tennis and pickleball tournament. Support of these events allows us to provide legal services to low-income individuals and families.
Annual Reports
2020 Annual Report
2019 Annual Report
2018 Annual Report
2017 Annual Report
Newsletters
2024 Spring Newsletter
2023 Fall Newsletter
2022 Summer Newsletter
2021 Fall Newsletter
2020 Fall Newsletter
2020 Summer Newsletter
2018 Fall Newsletter
Get Involved
Volunteer
It is only through the generosity and time given from more than 500 attorneys that we can help families in need work through their civil legal matters. If you are a licensed lawyer in Washington or Maryland, please consider taking on a case or volunteering during intake. Contact Nam Mee Cho, staff attorney, at 202-519-2064 or by email.
Donate
Your gift will give low-income individuals and families access to civil legal help.
Need Help? We Are Here For You
Our services are available to anyone regardless of race, religion, orientation or status. We offer access to food, a warm place to rest and attention to physical and mental needs through eight areas of care:
Care for Families & Children
Every child deserves the opportunity to grow and learn.
Developmental Disabilities Services
Each person has the potential to participate in their community.
Empowerment for Individuals
Access to professional services and mentors allows individuals to thrive.
Food Services
We believe no one should go hungry.
Health Care Mental Health Services
We offer treatment and a path to a healthy lifestyle.
Housing & Shelter
Having secure housing options is crucial to one’s success.
Immigrant & Refugee Services
Starting a new life begins with connecting to the community.
Job Training & Employment Services
Education is central to securing better employment.
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