Rising for Justice is a leader in training social justice advocates and representing low-income clients in matters critical to their wellbeing. We make justice a reality for vulnerable DC residents by providing free, high-quality legal representation in tandem with social work services to promote long-lasting positive outcomes for our clients. Since our founding in 1969, we have protected the rights of over 250,000 DC residents and given thousands of law students hands-on intensive training to prepare them for public interest careers.
Rising for Justice Welcomes Melinda Warner to Its Board of Directors
February 13, 2025
Rising for Justice (RFJ) is excited to announce the appointment of Melinda Warner to its Board of Directors. She brings with her significant legal experience and a long-standing passion for expanding access to legal services for underserved communities.
Ms. Warner is currently an associate at Vinson and Elkins, LLP, where her practice focuses on electricity transmission and energy market regulation. She also served as a Trial Attorney for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, a Staff Attorney at the Children’s Law Center, a Supervising Attorney at Rising for Justice, and a member of the Peace Corps. She holds her LLM in Advocacy from Georgetown University Law Center and her JD from the City University of New York (CUNY) School of Law.
Helen Dooley, RFJ’s Board President, shared, “Melinda’s time as a Supervising Attorney at RFJ brings a unique voice to our Board. Her commitment to justice and dedication to pro bono service aligns perfectly with RFJ’s mission.” RFJ’s Executive Director, Chijioke Akamigbo, echoed Ms. Dooley’s welcome to Ms. Warner in stating, “Her leadership will be a tremendous asset as RFJ continues to advocate for the rights of DC residents across its programs.”
Founded in 1969, RFJ provides free legal and social work services to low-income residents of Washington, DC, who are facing legal challenges in housing, record sealing and expungement of criminal records, and alleged domestic violence. Its direct service programs include Tenant Justice, Expungement, Respondent Representation, and Social Work. In addition, RFJ trains the next generation of public interest advocates by teaching practical lawyering skills to local law students as part of its Housing Advocacy and Litigation Clinic. Its Social Work Program also teaches social work skills to local students pursuing their MSW degrees. In the 56 years that RFJ has served DC residents, it has remained, at its core, an organization committed to ensuring equal access to justice for those who might otherwise have gone unrepresented.
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Our clients depend on us, and we depend on you to make our services available, accessible, and responsive. Because of you, we can make a difference in the lives of thousands of District residents who rely on us for free legal and social work services during times of hardship. Stand with us.
Explore the 2023 Annual Report to hear directly from RFJ clients, students, and partners about the impact Rising for Justice has had on their lives.
Who is Rising for Justice?
Today
To prevent injustices today, we represent individuals who are in grave legal jeopardy.
Tomorrow
To build a better tomorrow, we teach law students to be life-long advocates for justice.
Always
To ensure justice always, we innovate sustainable solutions to justice and equity problems.