News & Events

Litigation Associates Jonathan Porter and Elliot Weingarten were featured in a Making Justice Real article, the official blog of the Legal Aid Society, titled, “Thank You Emails and Hugs: Jonathan Porter and Elliot Weingarten,” which discusses their work on pro bono eviction cases. Jon’s first case spanned three years, involving two trials and two appeals. The case also created important precedent, which clarified the D.C. retaliation statute, which provides a rebuttable presumption of retaliation when a landlord brings suit to evict a tenant within six months after the tenant exercises her legal rights. This clarification has and will continue to benefit countless tenants in the District.

“After that case, I was hooked,” said Jonathan. “It was an incredible opportunity so early in my career.  I was involved in negotiations and mediation, and gained courtroom and trial experience opportunities that don’t often present themselves for junior associates. But those benefits were ancillary to the reward of achieving a favorable outcome for our client  to see the stress washed away for a single mother who had been worried about losing her home.”

To read the article, please click here.