In late 2023, Zuckerman Spaeder LLP* partnered with Legal Aid DC to protect a critical lifeline for tens of thousands of low-income D.C. residents. After the D.C. Council passed — and the Mayor signed — a law directing excess city revenue toward increased Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, the Administration later announced it would not distribute the mandated funds. Legal Aid DC urged compliance, and when the Administration continued to withhold the benefits, the organization worked with Zuckerman Spaeder to prepare emergency litigation. On the eve of filing, after being notified that a motion for immediate injunctive relief was imminent, the Mayor reversed course and committed to releasing the funds, ensuring that families would receive the food assistance guaranteed to them under D.C. law.
We spoke with Ivano Ventresca, Partner, Zuckerman Spaeder, about this effort and the strength of coordinated advocacy, deep community engagement, and rapid legal action.
1. Please tell us about this project.
In August 2023, the Council of the District of Columbia passed — and the Mayor signed into law — legislation requiring that any excess city revenue from fiscal year 2023, up to $39.6 million, be used to fund additional Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits beginning January 1, 2024. DC’s Chief Financial Officer certified that the funds were available and transferred them to the Department of Human Services (DHS) for disbursement.
Despite this, in December 2023, the Administration announced that it would not distribute the increased benefits. All 13 members of the Council urged the Mayor to comply, and the Office of the Attorney General issued a memorandum concluding that the Administration’s failure to implement the benefits increase was unlawful.
On December 18, 2023, Legal Aid DC sent a letter to the Mayor calling on her to comply with DC law and ensure that excess revenue was directed toward increased food assistance for residents in need. In early January 2024, Legal Aid DC and Zuckerman Spaeder prepared to file suit, along with a motion for immediate injunctive relief requiring DHS to implement the mandated SNAP benefit increase. After preparing the complaint and motion, and as required by court rules, Zuckerman Spaeder notified the Administration of its intent to seek emergency relief. In response, and on the eve of litigation, the Mayor reversed her months-long refusal to release the funds and her office informed Legal Aid DC and Zuckerman Spaeder that D.C. residents would receive their increased benefits.
2. What has been the role of Zuckerman Spaeder volunteers in this project?
Zuckerman Spaeder Partners Ivano Ventresca and Steve Herman, and Counsel David Reiser, served as pro bono counsel to Legal Aid DC in this matter. They provided strategic litigation support and worked closely with Legal Aid DC to prepare for expedited court proceedings. This representation reflects the firm’s long-standing partnership with Legal Aid DC and its commitment to high-impact pro bono advocacy.
3. What organization(s) did the law firm collaborate with for this project? Why are the collaborations with them so important?
Zuckerman Spaeder collaborated with Legal Aid DC on this effort. We have long maintained support for Legal Aid DC’s mission to advocate — both individually and systemically — for tens of thousands of D.C. residents living in poverty. Partnerships like this are critical because they combine Legal Aid DC’s deep engagement with the local communities with additional litigation resources, allowing for swift and effective responses to urgent legal crises affecting vulnerable populations.
4. What is the impact of this pro bono work?
Food insecurity is a significant and growing concern nationwide, particularly amid sustained inflation and rising living costs. SNAP benefits provide critical assistance to tens of thousands of low-income D.C. residents — more than half of whom are families with children. Ensuring the release of these funds had a direct and meaningful impact on the health, stability, and well-being of our community.
5. What would you say is the most challenging part of this type of work?
In these types of cases, acting quickly is critical. The counsel team prepared a complaint and motion for preliminary injunctive relief on a very short timeframe so that the mandated increase in SNAP benefits could be provided without interruption. Getting all the pieces in place to file requires coordination and hard work. Through that work, we could inform the Mayor’s Office that we were ready to seek emergency relief, which then led the Mayor’s Office to reverse its decision and implement the benefits. And here, the need for urgency was heightened, given the real-life consequences for families needing these benefits to feed their children.
6. Is there any advice that you would give to other law firms who want to become more focused on a certain pro bono issue?
We have found it valuable to develop and maintain long-term partnerships with legal services organizations that work in specific areas. Our engagement with organizations takes various forms, including providing financial support, holding board positions, attending fundraising and other events, participating in volunteer opportunities, and, of course, working on pro bono matters. This type of engagement allows our attorneys to develop expertise in specific legal issues and establish deep relationships with the organization. Against that background, the firm can be deployed to provide support and assistance in key areas when specific pro bono needs arise.
| Each year, the signatories to the PBI Law Firm Pro Bono Challenge® and Corporate Pro Bono Challenge® initiatives provide important pro bono services to underserved, disadvantaged, and other individuals or groups unable to secure the legal assistance needed to address critical problems. The PBI Signatory Showcase spotlights some of the amazing work signatories have done to serve those in need. VIEW THE SIGNATORY SHOWCASE |
* denotes a Law Firm Pro Bono Challenge® signatory
** denotes a Corporate Pro Bono Challenge® signatory
† denotes a Law Firm Pro Bono Project® member