Washington, D.C. Office Named a “Top Law Firm by Pro Bono Hours” by The Washington Business Journal

Attorneys and paralegals in Ropes & Gray’s Washington, D.C. office collectively committed more than 15,000 hours to pro bono legal service in 2018, earning the firm a spot on The Washington Business Journal’s list of “Top Law Firms by Pro Bono Hours in Greater D.C.” The recognition follows honors from Chambers & Partners, which recognized Ropes & Gray as its “Pro Bono Program of the Year.” In 2018, attorneys from across the firm’s global offices logged approximately 160,000 hours of pro bono service, and within the greater Washington, D.C. area our efforts have contributed to meaningful change. Matters recently led out of our Washington, D.C. office include:

• Working with DC KinCare Alliance, Ropes & Gray recently filed a federal lawsuit against the District of Columbia and the D.C. Child and Family Services Agency for violating the rights of multiple plaintiffs through illegal practices related to kinship diversions for children in need of foster care. The plaintiffs in this case are the relative caregivers who have assumed custody of children, and the children in their care. The matter is being led by litigation & enforcement counsel Samantha Badlam and associate Rebecca Williams.
• Separately, the Children’s Law Center named Ropes & Gray its 2019 Pro Bono Champion in recognition of the firm’s longstanding support for the organization’s mission of helping Washington, D.C.’s most vulnerable children and families. The award honors the work of a pro bono team that led to an innovative first-in-the-nation contract for Medicaid funding of CLC’s legal advocacy around its clients’ health care issues. Health care partner Tom Bulleit and associate Sarah Blumenthal are leading the work.
• In February, Ropes & Gray and The American Bar Association secured a victory for ABA employees and other public servants in a lawsuit against the Department of Education over changes to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF). The suit challenged the department’s decision to retroactively refuse to honor loan forgiveness commitments it made under PSLF. In August, the department began restoring loan forgiveness credits to ABA employees and other similarly situated individuals who had dedicated their careers to public service. The case is American Bar Association v. United States Department of Education in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. Led by litigation & enforcement partner Chong Park, Ropes & Gray’s team includes litigation associate Adam Safadi.

By providing direct representation and partnering with human rights, legal reform and other organizations, Ropes & Gray helps individuals, underserved communities, nonprofits and small businesses.