CSD PROJECTS
Teaching Law
Legal Reasoning Program
For many years, the firm has been city-wide coordinator of the "Introduction to Legal Reasoning" program offered by the
Washington Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs. Local law firms prepare students entering DC-area law schools from groups traditionally under-represented in the practice of law. Firm lawyers and summer associates teach the course by providing a taste of the highly analytical, argumentative style of learning that is necessary for law school. The course also provides a preview of some basic legal jargon and the fundamentals of the American judicial system.
Street Law
Every year, the firm welcomes approximately 15 students enrolled in a "street law" class to our office for a Career Day that includes training in various mock trial techniques.
New York Mentoring Program
For many years, the New York office has mentored high school students in preparing for mock trial and moot court competitions. Since fall 2004, firm lawyers have instructed and coached a class of seniors at the Jane Addams High School, located in the Bronx, New York, on appellate arguments and trial skills as part of their Legal Studies Program.
Community Outreach
Christmas in April
Each year the firm works with
Rebuilding Together to send a team of 50 or more volunteers to refurbish the homes of disabled, elderly and disadvantaged residents living in Washington, D.C. During this day-long event known as "Christmas in April," firm lawyers, legal assistants, staff and family and friends help fix homes by doing painting, carpentry, plumbing, electrical work, gardening and general cleaning.
Gifts for the Homeless
For more than a decade, Hogan & Hartson has collected used clothing and cash donations for Gifts for the Homeless, Inc. (GFTH), a nonprofit organization founded in 1986 by members of the Washington, D.C. legal community. The firm, individual employees, and partners make monetary donations to GFTH. In 2006 Hogan & Hartson collected and contributed more than $55,000 and hundreds of bags of used clothing to the annual campaign. Hogan & Hartson is a recognized leader in donations to GFTH, which is the main source of desperately needed clothing for many area shelters and is run by volunteers from Washington, D.C. law offices.
Hoop Dreams Scholarship Fund and College Bound, Inc.
Firm lawyers provide legal services for these CSD clients, and firm personnel volunteer to act as mentors for District of Columbia Public High School students. Firm lawyers assist students with the rigorous process of applying for college, by coaching them for interviews and assisting them with filling out applications.
Landlord/Tenant Resource Center
Under the auspices of the District of Columbia Superior Court and District of Columbia Bar, the firm has agreed to staff the Landlord/Tenant Resource Center at the Superior Court every second Wednesday. The Resource Center provides information, forms and help to the many unrepresented parties in District of Columbia landlord/tenant matters.
Ten Acts of Giving Back
To mark the firm's ten years in Colorado, attorneys and staff in the Denver, Boulder and Colorado Springs offices donate time and money to local nonprofits through a community service program, "Ten Acts of Giving Back." As a part of the program, the Denver office adopted a Denver public school, Cheltenham Elementary, where attorneys and staff work in the classrooms each week mentoring and tutoring students and have provided financial assistance through activities such as a school supply drive. Other organizations that benefit from the program include Habitat for Humanity Metro Denver, the YWCA of Boulder County, and the Colorado Mountain Reclamation Foundation in Colorado Springs.
Holiday Drive
Each December for the past four years, attorneys and staff in the New York office organize a drive to support one New York-area nonprofit, including New Yorkers For Children, which supports children in New York City’s foster care system; the Food Bank for New York City, which, as the nation’s largest food bank, distributes food to nonprofit community programs throughout New York City; Nazareth Housing, which provides temporary shelter and support services to families at risk of becoming homeless; and Sanctuary for Families, which gives shelter, legal assistance and counseling to families affected by domestic violence. The New York office has collected and contributed more than $20,000, including partial matching gifts from the firm, and boxes of toys, food and clothing for these nonprofits.
Fundraisers
Firm personnel have raised thousands of dollars through their participation in a wide range of community service fundraising projects, including, among others:
Lawyers Have Heart, AIDS Walk Washington, the DC Aids Ride, Race for the Cure, Avon Breast Cancer 3-Day, Lee National Denim Day supporting the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, Leukemia and Lymphoma Light the Night Walk, Help the Homeless Walkathon, Revlon Run/Walk for Women, City Harvest’s Skip Lunch, Fight Hunger program and
American Cancer Society's Daffodil Days. In addition, employees of Hogan & Hartson provided funds for
Bread for the City's Thanksgiving Holiday Helpings program. Bread for the City used these funds to distribute Thanksgiving dinners to needy. The firm also participated in an annual blood drive for the
New York Blood Center.