On November 5, 2009, the DC chapter of the Iranian American Bar Association held its first pro bono clinic.  At the first of its monthly meetings, five volunteer attorneys reviewed twelve legal cases in the fields of: landlord/tenant, immigration, foreclosures, family, employment and Social Security law. The process involved intake of the clients pursuant to IABA's national pro bono guidelines, and assigning each prospective client to an attorney with knowledge in the relevant legal field.

Seven of the cases which involved foreclosure and immigration questions were resolved at the clinic. Two cases, involving family and employment law, were taken on privately by two of the volunteer attorneys present at the clinic. The DC Chapter intends to continue with the clinic on a monthly basis, and to eventually expand this program to assist other nationalities/ethnicities in various venues.

In order to foster the program’s success, the DC-IABA pro bono clinic must count on fellow attorneys time and support. DC-IABA encourages any and all members to volunteer time at one of the pro bono clinics in order to help facilitate the program’s goals.  If you are in the Washington, D.C. area and wish to become involved in the DC-IABA pro bono clinic, please contact Salman Elmi at selmi@ashcraftlaw.com.