Legal Aid DC raised $4.69 million over the course of this year’s Making Justice Real Campaign, thanks to 4,500 individual donations. 

Seventy-seven law firms rallied colleagues and friends between June 22 and July 31 to support Legal Aid’s work and surpass last year’s total by $420,000. The Making Justice Real Campaign makes up more than a quarter of Legal Aid’s budget, and the record-breaking year will ensure that more DC residents can get the free legal services they need.  

“The Making Justice Real Campaign demonstrates what’s possible when the DC legal community comes together with a shared commitment to justice,” said Legal Aid DC Executive Director Vikram Swaruup. “The inspiring generosity of this year’s donors will allow us to expand our impact across the District.”

The Making Justice Real Campaign brings law firm colleagues together and sparks some friendly but fierce competition. Latham & Watkins raised the most out of any firm for the 12th consecutive year with a record total of $429,000, followed by Williams & Connolly at $370,000.

“At Latham & Watkins, we are proud to support Legal Aid DC and grateful for the opportunity to make a difference year after year,” said David Brown, a partner at Latham & Watkins who has served on Legal Aid’s Board of Trustees since 2023. “I also want to recognize the DC legal community for coming together and helping this incredible nonprofit, which does so much good for so many, to exceed its fundraising goals.”

See below for the full list of rankings by firm size.

At law firm offices around the District, coordinators mobilized their colleagues and got them engaged in the campaign through challenges and events, including ice cream socials, lunches, happy hours that put firm partners behind the bar, and silent auctions.

Honorary Chairs Dana Rosenfeld, Paul Rosenthal and Christie Grymes Thompson of Kelley Drye & Warren took the firm’s famous “Pie-a-Partner” event to the next level, involving other offices throughout the country for the first time on their way to raising a record $153,000, the most raised among firms with 100-124 attorneys.

“We are honored to support Legal Aid’s work and to join so many firms across the legal community in advancing access to justice,” said Christie Thompson, who is also a member of Legal Aid’s Board of Trustees. “The enthusiasm and commitment shown by our colleagues across the firm made this record-breaking result possible, and we are grateful to be part of a campaign that has such a meaningful impact on the lives of DC residents.” 

Legal Aid is incredibly grateful for every donor who contributed to the 2026 Making Justice Real Campaign and for all the firms that participated!