Mark your calendar

Upcoming Events

Both 2026 events are confirmed. Rates, sponsorship tiers and payment terms are set out further down this page.

2026 Judicial Reception

Wednesday, October 7, 2026 · 6:00–8:00 PM
William B. Bryant Annex Atrium, E. Barrett Prettyman US Courthouse, 333 Constitution Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001
Registration open

An evening reception honoring the DC judiciary, celebrating newly appointed judges and those taking senior status or retiring.

Registration is open to members and non-members; BADC membership is not required to attend. Register on Eventbrite, or by returning the registration and sponsorship form. Rates are listed below. Questions: staff@badc.org.

155th BADC Annual Awards Banquet & Gala

Saturday, December 5, 2026 · 6:00–11:00 PM
Capital Hilton, 1001 16th Street NW, Washington, DC
Registration open

BADC's signature black-tie gala, with a cocktail reception, dinner, and the presentation of the Judicial Honoree of the Year, Lawyer of the Year, Hon. Annice M. Wagner Pioneer Award, and Young Lawyer of the Year awards.

Registration is open. The gala is not sold on Eventbrite: register by returning the registration and sponsorship form to staff@badc.org.
2026 Judicial Reception and 155th Gala

Registration, Sponsorship and Payment

Wednesday, October 7, 2026, 6:00–8:00 PM, William B. Bryant Annex Atrium, E. Barrett Prettyman US Courthouse. Registration is handled on Eventbrite, and BADC membership is not required to attend. The 155th Annual Banquet & Awards Gala follows on Saturday, December 5, 2026, 6:00–11:00 PM at the Capital Hilton.

Registration

Judicial reception
  • JudgesComplimentary
  • BADC FellowsComplimentary
  • BADC member$50
  • Law clerk$50
  • Law student$15
  • Government or nonprofit attorney (non-member)$75
  • Non-member$100

Judges, Fellows, law clerks and law students register or request a discount code by emailing staff@badc.org. Eventbrite fees apply to online purchases; to pay by check instead, register on Eventbrite and select pay by check. You can also register for the reception by returning the registration and sponsorship form.

Register on Eventbrite
Annual Banquet & Awards Gala
  • Judge, government or nonprofit lawyer$175
  • BADC member$275
  • Non-member$325
  • Non-sponsored table of 10$3,250

A non-sponsored table seats 10 and carries no sponsor recognition. Gala registration is open, but the gala is not sold on Eventbrite: register by returning the registration and sponsorship form to staff@badc.org.

Sponsorship

Three paths, and only one of them covers both events. The registration and sponsorship form sets out the full terms.

Both events
Cornerstone Partner$4,500

The only sponsorship covering both events. Available only on or before Wednesday, October 7, 2026, the date of the judicial reception, with the form and a pledge or payment received by then; after that date only the gala tiers remain. Includes everything in the $1,000 Star Witness tier and everything in the $5,000 Champion tier: prominent recognition and five guest invitations at the reception, plus eight seats at a prominently placed sponsor table and a full-page ad in the gala program. Bought separately the two sponsorships total $6,000, so this saves $1,500.

Judicial reception only
Star Witness$1,000

Five guest invitations to the judicial reception, and your firm name and logo in the program, on all related materials, in all related publicity and on the BADC website.

Annual Banquet & Awards Gala only
  • Champion, full gala table$5,000
  • Changemaker, half gala table$3,500
  • Proud Advocate, individual seats$1,200

Champion: eight seats at a prominently placed sponsor table and a full-page ad in the gala program. Changemaker: four seats at a sponsored table and a half-page ad. Proud Advocate: two seats at a sponsored table and a quarter-page ad.

Every sponsorship includes your firm name in the program, on the BADC website, on all related materials and in all related publicity.

Deadlines. Judicial reception sponsors: logo and attendee names to staff@badc.org by Friday, October 2, 2026, 5:00 PM. Gala sponsors: ad by Friday, November 13, 2026, and logo and attendee names by Monday, November 23, 2026.

Registration & sponsorship form (PDF) Sponsor on Eventbrite

Payment

  • Checks are payable to the Foundation of the Bar Association of DC (F-BADC) and mailed to BADC headquarters, 1016 16th St NW, Suite 101, Washington, DC 20036.
  • Invoices are available on request.
  • Credit card payments carry a 3.5% processing fee.
Bar Association of the District of Columbia

BADC Events

Receptions, luncheons, galas, and CLE programs that bring the DC legal community together throughout the year.

See the full events calendar
Year-round

Our Annual Traditions

A look at the recurring events BADC members can count on every year.

June

Annual Membership Meeting & Reception

BADC's annual meeting for members, featuring a keynote address and the installation of incoming officers and directors.

June

IP Section Luncheon

The Intellectual Property Section's annual luncheon brings together judges from the Federal Circuit, the International Trade Commission, the Patent Trial and Appeal Board, area district courts, and local IP practitioners.

Spring

Bench & Bar Wellness Summit

The Potomac River Bench and Bar Peak Performance Summit brings judges and practitioners together for a day focused on resilience and wellness in the legal profession.

October

Judicial Reception

An evening reception at the William B. Bryant U.S. Courthouse Annex honoring the DC judiciary, bringing together judges, court staff, and the local bar. In 2026: Wednesday, October 7, 6:00–8:00 PM.

December

Annual Gala & Awards Banquet

BADC's black-tie gala at a premier DC venue, with a cocktail reception, dinner, dancing, and the presentation of the year's award honorees. In 2026: Saturday, December 5, 6:00–11:00 PM.

Looking back

Past Events

Recent BADC events, most recent first. Click through for event details and photos.

Past Event
June 10, 2026

Annual Membership Meeting & Reception

K&L Gates LLP

BADC's annual meeting and reception, hosted by K&L Gates on their rooftop patio, celebrating incoming and outgoing Board members.

Past Event
May 1, 2026

2nd Annual Potomac River Bench & Bar Peak Performance and Resilience Summit

K&L Gates LLP

A day-long summit for judges and practitioners focused on resilience and wellness in the legal profession.

Past Event
February 25, 2026

Ten Photography Lessons for a Dead President

The Corcoan School of the ARts & Design at GW

A town hall-style discussion exploring photography, memory, and public life, hosted with the For Freedoms group.

Past Event
December 6, 2025

154th Annual Banquet & Awards Gala

Four Seasons Hotel Washington, DC

BADC's black-tie gala honoring the year's award recipients, with a cocktail reception, dinner, and dancing.

Past Event
November 20, 2025

Practicing Before the DC Office of Employee Appeals: Webinar

Zoom

A free CLE webinar co-sponsored with the Metropolitan Washington Employment Lawyers Association.

Past Event
October 1, 2025

BADC Annual Judicial Reception

William B. Bryant U.S. Courthouse Annex

An evening reception honoring newly appointed and retiring judges of the DC courts.

Past Event
June 10, 2025

2025 Annual Membership Meeting and Reception

K&L Gates LLP

BADC's annual meeting and reception for members, hosted by K&L Gates.

Past Event
March 21, 2025

2025 Potomac River Bench and Bar Peak Performance and Mental Wellness Summit

K&L Gates LLP

A day-long summit for judges and practitioners focused on mental wellness in the legal profession.

Past Event
December 7, 2024

153rd BADC Awards Banquet

Capital Hilton Hotel

BADC's annual awards banquet and gala, the most anticipated social event of the year for members and friends.

Past Event
September 30, 2024

2024 Judicial Reception

William B. Bryant U.S. Courthouse Annex

An evening networking reception honoring the DC judiciary.

Past Event
June 12, 2024

Annual Meeting

K&L Gates LLP

BADC's annual meeting and reception, celebrating incoming and outgoing Board members.