John first joined Neighborhood Legal Services Program in September of 2018 as a Howard C. Westwood Fellow. After his Fellowship with NLSP, John worked for just under two years at a sister legal services organization in the District on the rights of consumers and victims of economic crime. John returned to NLSP in April of 2022 to work in the Brief Services and Economic Security Units.

John has a long-time commitment to advocacy and service around the issues impacting people living in poverty. John earned his J.D. from The University of The District of Columbia, David A. Clarke School of Law, where he graduated magna cum laude. During his time there, he was selected as a Dean’s Fellow, received the Earl H. Davis Award as an Olender Scholar, and was a recipient of the Dean’s Cup for his commitment to service and scholarship. John received his B.A. in Public Administration & American Government from The University of Montana. John is an alum of the AmeriCorps State & National Justice For Montanans Program, where he worked with Montana Legal Services Association to increase access to civil legal services. Before law school John worked as a long-time organizer, activist, and nonprofit administrator, on the rights of racial minorities, LGBTQIA people, and women.

John can be reached by phone at 202-269-5128, or via email at jblake@nlsp.org.