D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center's Presidents Reception Honors Community Leaders
The D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center, renowned for its commitment to providing essential legal services, will be hosting its Annual Presidents Reception on June 26, 2025. This prestigious event will take place from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM at the Westin DC Downtown located at 999 9th Street NW. The gathering serves to honor Sadina Montani, the incoming D.C. Bar President, a role that she will assume during the Celebration of Leadership Annual Meeting and Awards Dinner that follows the reception.
Montani, a partner at Crowell & Moring, is a well-respected figure within the D.C. Bar community, boasting over a decade of dedicated service. She was recognized as a participant in the inaugural John Payton Leadership Academy back in 2013 and has since held influential positions across various bar organizations, legal service providers, and local nonprofits. Notably, she served as president of the Women's Bar Association of the District of Columbia during the 2020-2021 term.
At Crowell & Moring, Montani specializes in complex litigation and compliance for clients, leading internal investigations into sensitive workplace issues, including misconduct and sexual harassment allegations. Furthermore, she dedicates her expertise to offer pro bono counsel to various nonprofits that focus on education, environmental issues, and social services. "Providing pro bono support to nonprofit organizations that, in turn, support critical legal and social services in the D.C. area has been one of the most fulfilling aspects of my career," noted Montani. She expressed that she continues to work with organizations that she began supporting during her early years as a second-year associate.
The Presidents Reception stands as the largest fundraising event for the Pro Bono Center, which is the foremost provider of pro bono legal services in the District, assisting over 21,000 individuals and 5,000 nonprofits and small businesses every year. Guests attending the reception will be treated to a cocktail gathering, an excellent opportunity to network with prominent figures in the legal landscape, and hear brief discussions regarding the importance of pro bono work in the community. Tickets for this event are priced at $125, and those interested in sponsorship can find additional information at www.dcbar.org/news-events/signature-events/presidents-reception.
It's important to note that the Presidents Reception and the Celebration of Leadership are distinct events. While the former focuses on introducing the new D.C. Bar President and his/her vision, the latter serves as the annual meeting celebrating achievements within the legal profession. This evening is an occasion to acknowledge the contributions of Bar members and to highlight the transition in Bar leadership, as well as the presentation of esteemed honors and awards.
Crowell & Moring LLP, the presenting sponsor for the event, is an international law firm that operates across the United States, Europe, MENA, and Asia. With its profound governmental, business, industry, and legal expertise, the firm supports clients in navigating intricate litigation, arbitration, regulatory policy, and corporate transactions. Notably, Crowell & Moring has been acknowledged for their dedication to pro bono work, establishing a legacy more than 30 years ago by being the first law firm to appoint a full-time public service counsel who would go on to become a partner in public service, an initiative led by former D.C. Bar President Susie Hoffman.
All in all, the D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center's Annual Presidents Reception is not just a gathering; it's a significant milestone that represents the ongoing efforts and achievements in providing essential services within the legal community while celebrating the new leadership steering the D.C. Bar's commitments forward.