Legal Aid DC opened the doors to its new office in Anacostia on May 21, providing greater access to legal services to residents of Wards 7 and 8. The new street-level space at 1911 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. SE, more than doubles Legal Aid’s footprint in Anacostia.  

“We’re proud to be taking this step to expand access to needed legal services in Anacostia, and we look forward to welcoming clients and community members into the new space,” said Legal Aid DC Executive Director Vikram Swaruup. “It’s now easier than ever for residents to walk through our doors and get the legal help they need.”

In 2025, Legal Aid conducted more than 400 intake interviews at the former Anacostia office, located at the Anacostia Professional Building (“the Big Chair”). The organization expects that number to increase with the increased visibility of a street-level storefront and additional staff at the new office, which contains five private offices and a conference room for community meetings.

The new space will also double as the home of the DC Resource Bridge and brings the District’s entire web of legal services within reach in one place. The DC Resource Bridge provides a one-stop shop for referrals to dozens of legal services organizations, removing the burden on residents of searching for the right help.

The program launched in September 2025 with a phone helpline and has since then made more than 1,800 referrals. Now with a physical space in addition to the phone line and an online form, the DC Resource Bridge will be able to serve residents face-to-face and increase its visibility in the community.

"This is a pivotal moment for the DC Resource Bridge and for the residents we serve," said Amy Mix, Director of the DC Resource Bridge. "Having a permanent, accessible home in the heart of Anacostia means we can grow our reach and get more people connected with legal help. We're excited about what this space will make possible — not just today, but for years to come."

Legal Aid has had a presence in Anacostia since 2010, when it opened a small satellite office in the Anacostia Professional Building (“the Big Chair”). That office is now closed. Legal Aid’s primary office at 1331 H St. NW remains open.

The new office is made possible by the record level of fundraising for Legal Aid DC from individual donors and organizations in the legal community, the DC Bar Foundation’s investment in the DC Resource Bridge, and Access to Justice Initiative funding from the DC Council. Kurt Richter of Cushman & Wakefield and Valerie Kelly of Fried Frank represented Legal Aid DC pro bono to lease the new space, and architectural services were provided by Bruno Grinwis at EMA Architecture & Interiors.  

1911 Martin Luther King. Jr. Ave. SE Hours:  

Legal Aid DC 
Open weekdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.  
Accepting walk-in intakes Mondays and Thursdays, 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.  

DC Resource Bridge 
Accepting walk-in intakes Tuesdays and Fridays, 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. 
202-933-HELP (4357) phone line open weekdays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

A grand opening event at 1911 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. SE is planned for June 4. Members of the press interested in attending should reach out to media@legalaiddc.org.