Joanne Doddy Fort, Partner

An experienced administrative and regulatory lawyer with a focus on the District of Columbia, Ms. Fort  has represented both private and public clients before local boards and commissions and in litigation.  She  has also assisted clients with legislative and rulemaking matters.  Her practice includes working with government contractors and companies seeking contracts and grants in the District on a variety of issues including joint venture formation, local business certification, contract procurement and compliance, and contract protest actions. 

Ms. Fort has advised and assisted companies with employment law issues, including in litigation and in alternative dispute resolution. She has served as a mediator in private matters involving employment discrimination and in employment discrimination cases for the U.S. District Court's Disputes Resolution Program.  Ms. Fort was an arbitrator under the consent decree in Pigford v. Glickman, a class action brought by African-American farmers against the U.S. Department of Agriculture for discrimination.  She has also served as a neutral fact-finder and independent investigator for employment discrimination matters for a federal agency.

Ms. Fort also works in the area of professional and business ethics.  She has advised lawyers on issues involving professional responsibility and ethics and assisted clients with the preparation and interpretation of codes of ethics.  Ms. Fort has taught professional responsibility as an Adjunct Professor of Law at the Howard University Law School and at American University's Washington College of Law.  Active with the District of Columbia Bar, Ms. Fort served as its General Counsel for a year and co-chaired its Committee on Civility in the Profession.

Prior to joining BR&L in 2006, Ms. Fort was a principal in two small law firms where she handled matters involving banking, municipal finance, and public utility law.  Prior to entering private practice, she served as the Staff Director for Community and Economic Development for the National Governors’ Association and as a research intern for the U.S. Advisory Commission for Intergovernmental Relations.

Professional Affiliations

• Trustee, District of Columbia Bar Foundation
• Commissioner, District of Columbia Access to Justice Commission
• Chair and Member, District of Columbia Court of Appeals Board on Professional Responsibility (Former)
• Chair and Member, District of Columbia Court of Appeals Committee on Admissions (Former)
• Member, American Bar Association’s Standing Committee on Professional Discipline (Former)
• Fellow of the American Bar Foundation