Children’s Law Center is pleased to recognize Fish & Richardson P.C. as its 2020 Pro Bono Champion. For more than a decade, Fish & Richardson has partnered with Children’s Law Center to support the District’s children and families in need. The firm has taken over fifty pro bono cases with Children’s Law Center since 2009, taking on more cases each year to help us reach even more children and families. Fish & Richardson has provided critical legal assistance on matters impacting a child’s family, health, and education. Fish & Richardson attorneys have represented caregivers seeking to provide children with stable homes and have served as guardians ad litem for children caught in high conflict custody disputes. The firm’s attorneys have also assisted with securing necessary housing repairs to improve a child’s health as well as obtaining special education services for children struggling in school. No matter the issue, Fish & Richardson attorneys lend their time and legal talents to serve our community. We express our sincere appreciation for the firm’s dedication to pro bono and commitment to racial justice. Fish & Richardson’s support is essential to ensuring Children’s Law Center touches the lives of thousands of children each year.
DC children live in poverty – that’s less than $26,200/year for a family of four – and in our poorest neighborhoods where Children’s Law Center’s clients live, the figure is closer to 1 in 2.
DC students have emotional, physical or learning disabilities. Even before the pandemic, less than 10% performed at grade level – and many are unable to get the attention and support they need through virtual learning.
A child with asthma living in a DC neighborhood with more than 96% Black and Brown residents is 20 times more likely to go to the ER than a child living across town in a neighborhood with more than 80% white residents—just one of far too many health disparities that impact the children we work with every day.
We need to raise more than $1.6 million from law firms, corporations and individuals to provide free legal services and advocacy for more than 5,000 children and families in the coming year.
“Our children faced daunting problems before the pandemic. Now they need us even more.” – Judith Sandalow
Learn more about sponsorship opportunities and donate today to ensure all DC children can grow up with a stable family, good health and a quality education.
Judges, pediatricians and families call on us to advocate for children who are abused or neglected, who aren’t learning in school or who have health problems that can’t be solved by medicine alone. Councilmembers, DC government officials and advocates turn to us when the District’s laws and policies are failing children and need to be improved.