Wiley Accepts 2023 Pro Bono Law Firm Award from DC KinCare

November 7, 2023

​On October 17, Wiley attorneys Mary E. Borja and Lisa Rechden attended DC KinCare's annual fundraiser event, where they accepted DC KinCare's 2023 Pro Bono Law Firm of the Year Award on behalf of Wiley.

DC KinCare Alliance works to support the caregivers who raise DC's most vulnerable and at-risk children, when their parents are not able to care for them for reasons of incarceration, homelessness, abuse or neglect, among others. As part of their services, DC KinCare provides legal representation, advocacy, information, and education to its caregivers. Earlier in 2023, Pro Bono Partner Theodore A. Howard and associate Lisa Rechden represented DC KinCare in a dispute with the D.C. Housing Authority, in which the parties were able to successfully reach a settlement, under which DCHA will modify its regulations to prevent discrimination against certain non-parental care providers residing in public housing.

The program included the co-founder and Executive Director of DC KinCare, Marla Spindel, giving a powerful presentation about the impact that the organization has on the needs of children and the successes in changing DC laws to help support the families – grandmothers, aunts, godparents, and others – who raise children in our community. Additionally, acclaimed DC-based pianist and composer, Trey Walton III performed.