Victory celebrations for middle income and working class tenant associations in the District of Columbia are classically few and far between; economic forces are generally overpoweringly unequal between tenants, even if well organized, and their adversaries — typically the buildings’ owners and their well-paid advisers, managers, and attorneys.

For one of the last remaining affordable apartment buildings in the rapidly changing Logan Circle neighborhood, the Norwood Apartments at 1417 N Street, NW, however, both timing and the stars, together with the availability of an ensemble of talented individuals in DC government housing agencies, local advocacy groups and public interest lawyers, plus the generous provision of pro bono legal services by the Hogan Lovells law firm (formerly Hogan and Hartson), came together to set the stage for a dramatic victory resulting in the completion in October, 2011, of a six-year battle by the Norwood Tenants Association to gain control of their building and to complete their purchase.  [Click here to read full article from TheInTowner]