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WASHINGTON LAWYERS COMMITTEE FOR CIVIL RIGHTS & URBAN AFFAIRS

EIN 52-1784938 WASHINGTON, DC

Revenue 2024
$4,066,633
Expenses 2024
$5,049,868

Program services were 62.6% of total expenses calculated — Part IX's program-services column over total expenses, both as filed.

As filed

Subsection
03
NTEE code
T99Z
Classification
1000
Street
700 14TH ST NW STE 400

These codes are the IRS's own and are shown exactly as filed. What each one means is in the Business Master File documentation (opens in a new tab).

Mission and programs · 2024

Mission

TO PROTECT, THROUGH LITIGATION AND LEGAL REPRESENTATION, THE CIVIL RIGHTS OF PERSONS WHO HAVE HISTORICALLY BEEN SUBJECT TO DISCRIMINATION AND POVERTY. THE COMMITTEE PROVIDES PRO BONO SERVICES BY MOBILIZING THE RESOURCES OF VOLUNTEER LAWYERS AND LAW FIRMS IN THE DC METRO AREA.

Activities or mission (Part I)

TO PROTECT, THROUGH LITIGATION AND LEGAL REPRESENTATION, THE CIVIL RIGHTS OF PERSONS WHO HAVE HISTORICALLY BEEN SUBJECT TO DISCRIMINATION AND POVERTY.

  • WLC engages in litigation, public policy advocacy, client counseling and community education to address racial and other forms of discrimination. The Committee works on matters that affect the District of Columbia and the surrounding region and on cases outside of the region that may have an impact on local residents. We work closely with the private bar to expand the capacity of our staff and rely heavily on firm pro bono partners. Our project priorities include:(1) Creating Equal Opportunity to Economic Stability for Individuals and Families; People of color, women, children and persons with disabilities who are disproportionately forced to live in poverty. The inequities in the social and legal systems have created circumstances in which social mobility is extremely limited and the gap between rich and poor is expanding. Inequality and immobility is significantly worse in communities of color. Poverty has become as much an inheritance as wealth. Work has become a key element of reducing poverty since welfare "reform," making access to employment, fair wages and stability in work critical.(2) Challenging the Conditions that Force Racial and Economic Segregation and that Limit Options for Safe, Decent and Affordable Housing Based on Race and National Origin; Housing segregation is itself inherently unequal and contributes to diminished opportunities for education, work and recreation. Racial segregation in housing is increasing in the District and the region driven by economic development, the effects of discrimination in the criminal legal system and other structural and economic factors. The forces of segregation in the District have deprived low income and many communities of color access to safe, decent and affordable housing.(3) Reducing Barriers to Public Services and Public Accommodations; The ability to access public services or participate in the economy are essential to be full members of society. Everyone, regardless of race, gender, disability or language should be free from discrimination in civic participation, economic activity and social engagement.(4) Creating Equal Opportunity for an Education; One of the great unfinished projects of the civil rights movement is addressing inequality in education. Schools are increasingly segregated, separate and unequal. Children of color, with disabilities and English language learners are much more frequently denied the opportunity to thrive and achieve their aspirations. Education reform in the District and in the region, has had some effect, but it is limited.(5) Reducing the Impact of an Unfair Criminal System; The criminal system is a prime driver of inequality. Work to address these issues will include:(A) A continued strong emphasis on addressing conditions of incarceration. Persons confined to prisons, jails, immigration detention and other criminal system institutions are confronted with a unique and particularly cruel form of state power. As long as mass incarceration is a fact, the need for prisoners rights advocacy will be essential.(B) Strategies to reduce unnecessary and discriminatory contact with the criminal justice system and that reduces the effects of such contact. Race bias is deeply imbedded in each criminal system component, including the writing of laws, police, prosecutors, courts, prisons and the effects of collateral consequences. These effects are significant whether they result in long-term incarceration, crushing court imposed financial obligations (debtors prisons) or barriers to employment, education or housing after a period of incarceration.

    Expenses $3,161,136

As filed on the 2024 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here.

Officers and directors · 2024

As listed in Part VII of the 2024 return, in the order the filer printed them. Each return names its own; this is not a roster the organization keeps with us.

  • JOANNE C LIN

    EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $210,982
    From this org
    $199,596
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $11,386
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $199,596
    Bonus
    not reported
    Other
    not reported
    Deferred
    $5,988
    Nontaxable benefits
    $5,398
    Filer's total
    $210,982

  • KAITLIN BANNER

    DEPUTY LEGAL DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $195,126
    From this org
    $161,530
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $33,596
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $161,530
    Bonus
    not reported
    Other
    not reported
    Deferred
    $9,692
    Nontaxable benefits
    $23,904
    Filer's total
    $195,126

  • JOANNA KAROLINA WASIK

    SUPERVISING COUNSEL

    Total calculated
    $191,331
    From this org
    $160,678
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $30,653
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $160,678
    Bonus
    not reported
    Other
    not reported
    Deferred
    $9,641
    Nontaxable benefits
    $21,012
    Filer's total
    $191,331

  • Tanya Edelin

    Chief Operating Officer

    Total calculated
    $183,336
    From this org
    $166,416
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $16,920
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $166,416
    Bonus
    not reported
    Other
    not reported
    Deferred
    not reported
    Nontaxable benefits
    $16,920
    Filer's total
    $183,336

  • Ryan Downer

    Legal Director

    Total calculated
    $173,142
    From this org
    $171,824
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $1,318
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $171,824
    Bonus
    not reported
    Other
    not reported
    Deferred
    not reported
    Nontaxable benefits
    $1,318
    Filer's total
    $173,142

  • Melissa Nussbaum

    DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $159,920
    From this org
    $158,200
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $1,720
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $158,200
    Bonus
    not reported
    Other
    not reported
    Deferred
    not reported
    Nontaxable benefits
    $1,720
    Filer's total
    $159,920

  • ROCHELLE D JONES

    CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

    Total calculated
    $141,242
    From this org
    $118,715
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $22,527
    Hours/week
    40

  • John A Freedman

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Jennifer G Levy

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Kevin H Metz

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • George D Ruttinger

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Thomas G Allen

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Douglas W Baruch

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Joseph G Davis

    CO-CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • David L Douglass

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Joseph D Edmondson

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • J David Folds

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Jamie S Gardner

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Emily P Grim

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Mark P Guerrera

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Stephen J Harburg

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Maureen D Hardwick

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Matthew S Hellman

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Howard S Hogan

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Steven P Hollman

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

The first 25 listed. Compensation is as filed in Part VII: reportable pay from this organization and from related organizations, other compensation, and hours per week. The total, marked calculated, is our sum of the three dollar columns, with a blank column counted as $0; the form itself has no total. On a Form 990-EZ the columns are Part IV's instead, and on a Form 990-PF Part VIII's — compensation, contributions to benefit plans, and expense account — and the total sums those. A Schedule J breakdown is as filed: base pay, bonus, other, deferred compensation and nontaxable benefits from this organization, with any from related organizations beside each, and the filer's own total. It is shown with the Part VII listing of the same name on the same return. The form gives no key between the two, so that pairing is ours, and is marked matched by us. Earlier years are each on their own filing page.

Filings

  • 2024
    Revenue
    $4,066,633
    Expenses
    $5,049,868
    Contributions
    $3,049,646
    Grants paid
    $0
  • 2023
    Revenue
    $4,622,436
    Expenses
    $5,304,359
    Contributions
    $4,073,815
    Grants paid
    $0
  • 2022
    Revenue
    $3,611,993
    Expenses
    $4,551,784
    Contributions
    $3,170,236
    Grants paid
    $9,454

The four totals the IRS asks for on Part I of the Form 990, as filed. A dash means the figure was not present on the return — not that it was zero.

Other returns filed

  • 2021 · 990

    Revenue
    $7,098,758
    Expenses
    $4,179,092
    Assets (EOY)
    $6,938,100

  • 2020 · 990

    Revenue
    $3,322,526
    Expenses
    $4,240,248
    Assets (EOY)
    $4,212,387

  • 2019 · 990

    Revenue
    $3,324,846
    Expenses
    $4,626,344
    Assets (EOY)
    $5,098,343

  • 2018 · 990

    Revenue
    $5,431,941
    Expenses
    $4,107,730
    Assets (EOY)
    $4,777,121

  • 2017 · 990

    Revenue
    $4,744,623
    Expenses
    $3,679,923
    Assets (EOY)
    $3,627,802

  • 2016 · 990

    Revenue
    $5,013,948
    Expenses
    $3,537,107
    Assets (EOY)
    $3,232,156

  • 2015 · 990

    Revenue
    $2,946,130
    Expenses
    $2,799,785
    Assets (EOY)
    $1,717,444

  • 2014 · 990

    Revenue
    $2,484,546
    Expenses
    $2,690,245
    Assets (EOY)
    $1,384,897

  • 2013 · 990

    Revenue
    $2,806,694
    Expenses
    $2,689,263
    Assets (EOY)
    $2,168,657

  • 2012 · 990

    Revenue
    not reported
    Expenses
    $3,078,482
    Assets (EOY)
    $2,062,319

Nonprofiteer parses Forms 990, 990-EZ and 990-PF, in a window of recent tax years. These returns are recorded from the IRS e-file index, so their figures were extracted by that index rather than read from the return here — treat them as a different source from the filings above, not as more of the same record. A dash means the index carries no figure; Form 990-T listings carry none at all. Showing the 10 most recent; the API carries the rest.

Grants made

No itemized grants to organizations. Schedule I is filed only by organizations that granted more than $5,000 to a recipient, so most filers have none.

Grants received

The 10 largest by cash amount. The API serves every itemized grant.

Other IRS files

Auto-Revocation List

Not listed. The IRS publishes this list for organizations whose exemption was automatically revoked for failing to file for three consecutive years.

Publication 78

Listed as of 13 October 2026, under deductibility PC.

These are two separate IRS files on two separate schedules, shown as published and not reconciled with each other. Neither is a statement about whether a contribution is deductible today: 19,245 organizations appear in Publication 78 while the IRS's own revocation file lists them as currently revoked, more than half of those revoked before 2019. Absence from Publication 78 is evidence of nothing, and presence is not evidence either. Verify current status with the IRS before relying on it.

What this page reflects

The registration facts above come from the IRS Business Master File published 13 October 2026 and read 26 October 2026, for every organization at once. Returns through tax year 2024, the newest we have parsed for this organization.