Legal Aid DC’s 34th annual Servant of Justice Award Dinner

Vikram Swaruupthe executive director of Legal Aid DCfacilitated the 34th annual Servant of Justice Award Dinner on April 9 at the JW Marriott hotel in Northwest in front of scores of people.

Former US Commission on Civil Rights member Debo P. Adegbile as one of the honorees.

The event served as a fundraiser for Legal Aid DC, which helps indigenous and working-class District residents in civil matters such as family law, affordable housing and evidence prevention, public benefits and consumer law, immigration, and appellate advocacy.

Swaruup expressed pride in his co-workers at Legal Aid DC.

“As I conclude my first year as executive director of this more than 90-year-old organization, I am proud that we got to share some of what we accomplished–and the stories of some of the brave clients we worked with along the way –with you tonight,” he said. “I’m particularly proud of the more than 100 people who actually do this hard work alongside our clients: my wonderful Legal Aid colleagues… I have seen first-hand their dedication to their work, sheer legal ability, and commitment to making our city a fairer place.”

Swaruup said the organization accepted 1,300 cases for full representation, a 16% increase from 2022. He noted that within the first three months of this year, “we have accepted 76% more cases than the same time period in 2023.” Swaruup said between the launch of the walk-in intake center in Northwest and community office in the Anacostia neighborhood of Southeast has generated nearly 4,750 clients, a 22% increase from 2022.

However, Swaruup said that the budget District Mayor Muriel Bowser recently submitted to the DC Council is not kind to her organization.

“That’s because just last week the major proposed a 67% cut to legal services in her budget for next year,” he said. “Sadly, this has become an annual fight for basic funding we need to serve our clients.”

Swaruup said the DC government “faces a genuinely challenging budget environment.”

“But we should not–and cannot–be a city that balances its budget by taking housing, food, or the ability to get a lawyer away from people living in poverty.”

Adegbile, who works as a partner with WilmerHale and has served as acting president and director-counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fundwas pleased to receive one of the two Servant of Justice Awards.

“It is such a magnificent honor tonight to be able to live up to the mission of: Legal Aid DC,” he said. “You give hope, make life more tolerable and full. You replace despair with feelings of empowerment. You stand boldly and bravely in cases where advocacy is very hard, and resources are very slim. We all thank you and are inspired by your example.”

Former DC Circuit Court of Appeals Judge David S. Tatel also received the Servant of Justice Award. Attorney Nancy Anderson got the Klepper Prize for Volunteer Excellence and client Magnolia Alvarez Velasquez received The Partnership Award.

DC Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb and former DC Attorney General Karl Racine attended the event.