Why Attend BADC Events

BADC offers year-round events that play a pivotal role for lawyers in the District of Columbia, providing exceptional opportunities to broaden their professional network. These events facilitate connections with peers, potential clients, and influential figures within the legal community. By nurturing and expanding these connections, individuals can access referrals, new clients, and prospects for collaborative ventures, all of which are essential for thriving in the legal sphere. BADC events cultivate an environment conducive to knowledge exchange and camaraderie among legal professionals. Active participation in these events enables BADC members to expand their network, establish meaningful relationships, acquire new knowledge, and advance their careers.

Upcoming Events

2024 Annual Banquet & Awards Gala

Previous Events

See Full Calendar of Upcoming Events

Annual Convention | April/May

The Annual Convention is an internal trip attended by BADC members, friends and family.

IP Luncheon | June

The BADC’s Intellectual Property Section’s Annual Luncheon brings together judges from the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, judges from the International Trade Commission, judges from the Patent and or Trial and Ap- peal Board, judges from area district courts, and local IP practitioners.

Annual Meeting | July

The BADC Luncheon is an annual event, held every June in a historic location in Washington DC. Agenda includes: Keynote Address and Installation of New Officers/Directors by Chief Judge.

Judicial Reception | October

The BADC NDPI is an annual two-day conference that provides valuable training for lawyers who represent child victims of abuse and neglect and laws and regulations facing •the CCAN practitioner. The agenda includes: Plenaries and breakout sessions, Luncheon with Keynote speaker, Social time (lunch and reception included).

Annual Gala & Awards Banquet| December

The Annual BADC Gala is held at a premier DC venue in December, and typically includes cocktail reception, dinner, dessert, dancing, and an award ceremony. Agenda also includes: Award Ceremony, Judicial Honoree of the Year Award, Lawyer of the Year, Hon. Annice M. Wagner Pioneer Award, and Young Lawyer of the Year Award.

About the Program

The Bar Association of the District of Columbia (“BADC”) Bankruptcy Access to Justice Project (“Bankruptcy ATJ Project”) was formed to increase access to justice in the District of Columbia by forming a panel of qualified bankruptcy attorneys who, depending on household incomes levels, agree to provide free or reduced fee legal services to persons of modest means for Chapter 7 (Liquidation) cases filings, and reduced legal services for Chapter 13 (Reorganization) case filings under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code.

Your case will be filed with the court and proceed from there.

How it Works and Types of Bankruptcy

Chapter 7: Any persons falling below 150% of the federal poverty guideline is eligible for pro bono (free of charge) legal services. Persons above the guideline, but below 250%, are eligible for low bono (reduced cost) Chapter 7 legal representation. 

Chapter 13: Persons filing Chapter 13 will be eligible for a low bono rate. The fees for a Chapter 13 will be in accordance with D.C. Bankruptcy Rule 2016-5, the No Look fee option. Choosing the No Look Fee option AND NOT REQUIRING ANY MONEY DOWN other than  the filing fee qualifies as low bono. Persons filing Chapter 13 will have the ability to pay the Attorney fees through the Chapter 13 plan.

How Do I Qualify for a Free or Reduced Bankruptcy

One of our Bankruptcy ATJ Project Panel members will determine your qualification based on the form you complete. To contact a bankruptcy attorney through the Bankruptcy ATJ Project panel, please follow these steps:

1. Complete the form below. Be prepared to provide personal information about your legal situation (including your income and assets).

2. If your case meets the program requirements, your information will be shared with selected attorneys. A bankruptcy attorney will decide whether or not to accept your case, and you must decide if the bankruptcy attorney is the right person to handle your case. Please use your own best judgment when deciding to hire any attorney. From there, your case will the handled by the attorney you select.

Who Are the Attorneys on the Bankruptcy ATJ Project?

Every panel attorney participating with the BADC ATJ Project has undergone a screening process to ensure that they:

• Are members in good standing of the D.C. Bar or the appropriate Federal Bar (U.S. Bankruptcy Court);
• Maintain legal malpractice insurance; and
• Have the requisite bankruptcy law experience as described by the project.

Each panel lawyer participating in the BADC Bankruptcy ATJ Project is willing to represent individuals who qualify for Chapter 7 cases on a pro bono or low bono basis, and to accept Chapter 13 cases on a low-bono basis.

The BADC Bankruptcy ATJ Project only covers personal bankruptcy cases under either Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. The project does not provide intake or referral services for any other types of civil or criminal law. If you need assistance with any other legal matters outside personal bankruptcy cases, feel free to visit the BADC’s Lawyer Referral Service. 

NOTICE: The BADC does not and cannot guarantee the outcome of any bankruptcy case, or that you will find a bankruptcy lawyer who is a good match for your particular Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 case. The materials related to the Bankruptcy Access to Justice Project on this web site are for provided for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing any legal advice. Use of and access to this website or any of the hyperlinks contained within the website do not create an attorney-client relationship between Bar Association of the District of Columbia (BADC) and the user or browser. The opinions expressed at or through this website are the opinions of the individual author and may not reflect the opinions of the BADC or any individual attorney who participates on the Bankruptcy Access to Justice referral panel.

We welcome feedback about your experience with the BADC Bankruptcy ATJ Project and with the legal services you receive, by contacting staff@badc.org.

About The Program

The BADC lawyer referral service helps you find the right legal assistance by connecting you with a qualified attorney who specializes in the specific area of law relevant to your case. The service is free and saves you time and effort while ensuring you’re paired with someone who can effectively handle your case. We recommend connecting with several different attorneys to find one that is right for your needs. 

Please email LRS@badc.org for more information about the program.