Our Programs
Clinical Education
RFJ’s law school clinic equips students with practical litigation skills while they represent low income DC residents in Landlord Tenant Court under the supervision of experienced clinical attorneys.
Housing
RFJ provides same day representation at DC Superior Court, and full representation to help tenants avoid eviction and displacement, preserve affordable housing conditions, and address systemic issues.
Respondent Representation
RFJ serves respondents in Civil Protection Order and Anti Stalking Order matters with same day intake, advice, mediation support, and full representation, improving outcomes and compliance while reducing conflict.
Social Work
RFJ integrates social work with legal services to address clients’ broader needs, and trains Master of Social Work students through clinical placements.
Expungement
RFJ’s Expungement Program helps eligible DC residents seal or expunge criminal records that create barriers to employment, housing, education, and family stability. Services are provided by staff and pro bono attorneys.
Community Empowerment
RFJ provides community legal education and Know Your Rights presentations in trusted spaces, connecting residents to supports and services.
Client Success Stories
Housing and Social Work, Arthur’s Story
Arthur, * a former client of Rising for Justice, returned for assistance with his pending eviction cases. When he came to RFJ’s courthouse office, he had a strong, determined presence, despite the emotional strain of his wife, Mary’s, hospitalization for cancer treatments.
Arthur explained that although both he and Mary were on the lease of their apartment, their landlord had sent eviction notices addressed only to Mary. Since he was dealing with her cancer diagnosis and resulting health crisis, Arthur had not thought to open the nondescript letters. Without Arthur’s knowledge, the eviction hearings had already been held, and default judgments entered. RFJ’s legal team represented Arthur and helped him establish standing to ensure his voice was heard in court. The team filed motions to vacate the judgments as Arthur divided his time between the hospital and courthouse, hoping that he and his wife could remain in their home.
Tragically, as the case was pending, Mary’s health declined rapidly. While Arthur was meeting with his attorney in RFJ’s courthouse office, he received an unexpected call from the hospital. As he took the call, Arthur’s calm, confident demeanor suddenly changed, his shoulders slumped, and his entire body seemed to shrink. With the heartbreaking realization that Arthur was receiving news that Mary was dying, his attorney quietly alerted RFJ’s social work team. When Arthur ended the call, RFJ’s staff were ready to offer their client the comfort and emotional support he needed.
Mary passed a week later, and Arthur’s social work and legal teams continued to rally around him. RFJ’s social work team provided emotional support, understanding, and connections to grief support and assistance with handling her will. RFJ’s legal team successfully vacated the eviction judgment against Arthur and negotiated a move out agreement that waived over $60,000 in back rent. Arthur’s relief was palpable, as he had spent the couple’s entire retirement savings on the medical treatment Mary needed, hoping she would recover. RFJ also helped Arthur find a new home and assisted with moving costs and trash disposal services.
RFJ’s staff were honored to provide Arthur with the timely and compassionate support he needed to cope with his beloved wife’s death and to begin a new life on his own.
*The names of the client and his wife were changed for privacy reasons.
Expungement Program, Jim’s Story
Jim, now an adult who identifies as LGBTQ+, was physically and emotionally abused as a child by his homophobic father and stepmother. As a young man, the abuse eventually drove him out of his childhood home. Jim experienced periodic homelessness and unemployment and while unhoused was a victim of a sexual assault.
During this chaotic and turbulent time, Jim had repeated interactions with the police as he struggled to cope with his traumatic past. While experiencing homelessness, Jim was routinely harassed by law enforcement and was unable to successfully resolve these situations. Once, Jim was assaulted by the police and charged with resisting arrest and assaulting a police officer. The assault charge was based on Jim twisting his body, causing the officer’s flashlight to drop from his own hip and hit his foot. That charge resulted in a criminal conviction.
As he grew older, Jim found a chosen family in his community. Community support, coupled with his own resilience, finally gave him the strength to come to terms with his past trauma, find a job, and lease an apartment. Eventually, he set his sights on pursuing higher education at Howard University. While a student there, Jim became interested in attending law school but worried that his criminal record would prevent him from pursuing his dream.
Jim contacted Rising for Justice for help in sealing his criminal record. RFJ partnered with a pro bono attorney to file motions to set aside Jim’s convictions based on his age at the time of the offenses. His attorney successfully argued that Jim’s conduct was the result of his circumstances and not any inherent criminality. With RFJ’s help, Jim was able to seal his entire record, which meant that on any school or job application he could truthfully say that he had never been arrested or convicted of a crime.
This coming fall, Jim will finally realize his dream of attending a top tier law school. He wants to earn his law degree to help people who have experienced similar struggles. As an attorney, Jim hopes to give back to his community, paying forward the support and compassion he received.
Jim’s story is a shining example of how RFJ’s Expungement Program provides low income DC residents with a chance to set aside their criminal convictions so that they can ultimately learn, grow, and give back to their communities.
*The name of the client has been changed for privacy reasons.
Respondent Representation Program, Carson’s Story
Carson, a 13-year-old middle school student, punched a female classmate in the stomach during recess following an argument. He had never had any disciplinary problems in the past and showed immediate regret when confronted by school staff.
After the incident, school administrators sent Carson home for the day and created a safety plan to prevent any further problems. Carson’s parents took his behavior seriously and disciplined him appropriately. When Carson went back to school the following day, there were no issues. He focused on his classes and did not try to approach the female classmate.
The following week, the school was served with a temporary Civil Protection Order (CPO) that ordered Carson to stay away from his classmate’s school. Her father had filed a petition for the order and lied during the hearing, claiming that his daughter and Carson did not attend the same school. The school had no choice, even though they had gone through an investigation and determined, after speaking to people who knew both Carson and his classmate, that there was no danger to the female student and that Carson had not threatened or come close to her, the school was forced to suspend him to comply with the court order.
Carson’s parents, feeling overwhelmed and unsure of where to turn, called Rising for Justice, the only DC legal services organization that represents respondents in CPO cases, regardless of the charge or allegation. During intake, Carson and his family stated that their priority was to get him back to school as quickly as possible. RFJ’s attorneys took Carson’s case and asked RFJ’s in-house social workers to meet with the school to discuss a solution. This was a moment of relief for Carson’s parents, knowing that they had a team of professionals on their side.
Together, RFJ’s legal and social work teams were able to propose a comprehensive safety plan to the Office of the State Superintendent of Education. This plan ensured the school’s compliance with the court order, the classmate’s safety, and Carson’s ability to return to school. Two days later, Carson was able to continue his education under the protection of this safety plan.
Carson’s story demonstrates how RFJ’s legal and social work services can collaborate to achieve a just and equitable outcome for all parties in a CPO case quickly. The swift resolution of Carson’s case is a testament to the efficiency and effectiveness of RFJ’s services.
*To ensure confidentiality, the name of the client has been changed.
Letter from the Executive Director
Dear Friends,
As we gather today for this year’s Celebration of Service Luncheon, I’m grateful for the opportunity to reflect on what Rising for Justice has accomplished and what lies ahead.
Since 1969, Rising for Justice (formerly DC Law Students in Court) has stood at the forefront of legal access and advocacy in the District. What began as a bold idea from a group of attorneys, judges, and law school deans to ensure legal representation for people navigating the small claims court without counsel has grown into a powerful engine for justice and community resilience.
We remain unwavering in our mission: to provide free legal services and advocacy to DC residents who would otherwise face legal challenges alone while training the next generation of advocates. That mission comes to life every day in our work representing respondents in civil protection order cases, defending tenants in eviction proceedings, and supporting individuals seeking to seal their criminal records.
This year, we’ve served thousands of our neighbors and protected their housing, safety, and dignity. Our social workers, attorneys, and students stand with our clients during some of the most challenging moments in their lives, providing representation grounded in compassion, skill, and integrity.
We could not do this work without you. Your support, presence, and belief in what Rising for Justice stands for make it possible for us to continue fighting for equity and access in the civil justice system.
Thank you for joining us today and for investing in the power of community-based justice. Together, we are building a stronger, fairer DC.
With deep gratitude,
Chijioke Akamigbo
Executive Director
Rising for Justice
