Celebrate Pro Bono Excellence

On April 16, Counsel for Justice is shining a spotlight on its remarkable volunteers at a special cocktail reception and awards ceremony. Held on the beautiful rooftop of the Jonathan Club, this event is a tribute to the attorneys and law firms whose pro bono efforts have been pivotal for CFJ's legal service projects.

The evening culminates in the presentation of the CFJ President’s Award to Susan Sullivan for her outstanding commitment to CFJ. Don't miss this opportunity to meet our honorees and connect with fellow LACBA members who are making a significant impact. Secure your spot now and join us in celebrating the spirit of volunteerism that drives our mission towards a more just Los Angeles.

2024 Community Impact Awards Honorees

President’s Award

Susan Sullivan has been an active supporter of Counsel for Justice since law school, when she committed her time by volunteering at CFJ’s Domestic Violence Project, assisting individuals petitioning for domestic violence restraining orders against intimate partners and family members. Susan soon thereafter joined the CFJ’s Board of Director and has remained on it for almost 25 years. Susan has been a stalwart member of the CFJ Board, serving two separate terms as President, along with serving on numerous CFJ committees throughout her tenure, including the Executive Committee, Nominating Committee, and Bylaws Committee. Susan has also actively fundraised for and contributed individually to CFJ’s mission, including seeking matching funds through her spouse’s matching gift program. While serving as Partner, Susan’s firm, Clyde and Co, has sponsored numerous CFJ project campaigns and fundraising events through Susan’s tireless efforts as an advocate of CFJ and its mission. We greatly appreciate Susan and Clyde and Co.’s continued involvement and support of CFJ.

Domestic Violence Project

Kate Stutz is an associate at O’Melveny. She’s been volunteering since Spring 2022. Kate provides quality work to our litigants and is always willing to change her shifts around when there are gaps to fill. Litigants have only good things to say about Kate, specifically mentioning that she explains things in ways they understand. Kate is dependable and an asset to DVP volunteers.

 

Gibson Dunn is a powerhouse for DVP volunteers. Their pro bono team approached DVP about hosting a special training session for interested associates in May 2023. In 7 short months, GD associates (4 in particular) have contributed about 10% of our total pro bono hours for 2023. These few associates are always willing to take on more complicated matters (like working with interpreters or working with abused kids). They provide astounding services to our litigants with warmth that makes litigants feel at ease.

Immigration Project

Angela Milstein is a sole practitioner and is new to immigration law. Angela has volunteered with us since 2022. She consistently gives us one entire day a week. She is wonderful with clients because she is patient and always tries to find an answer. She is very hands on. She is a strong researcher and advocate. If it was up to her, we would be helping everyone with everything. She has a great heart but also knows the challenges clients face in the immigration system.

 

Anastasia Alen is at Davis Wright Tremaine LLP. She volunteers remotely for one hour. She headed the call when we needed attorneys who spoke Russian and stuck around even though we don’t have as many individuals needing the translation. She is more than a translator because she asks questions beyond the translation. She puts herself in the shoes of the client to try and understand the process. It is more like a conversation instead of a strict translation. She gives us less time than Angela but we have been grateful for her work.

Veterans Project

Nigel Baker, a sole practitioner specializing in Workers Compensation, has been an instrumental volunteer for the Veterans Project since the fall of 2021. For nearly two years, Nigel has consistently staffed VLSP’s in-person weekly office hours at the U.S.Vets office in Bob Hope Patriotic Hall, providing critical legal information, support and referrals to veterans in need of assistance. Nigel is always there to answer the call when attorney assistance is needed for current clinics and new programs and is an asset to the VLSP team. This year alone, he has volunteered over 80 hours, assisting with our record clearing program and staffing our office hours at Patriotic Hall.

DLA Piper and firm volunteers have been a pillar of support for the Veterans Project prior to and throughout the pandemic. Since 2019 DLA has generously sponsored VLSP programs and has provided a steady supply of volunteers to assist in a variety of service areas including Record Clearing, LEAP, and Military Discharge Upgrades. In 2023, DLA Piper sponsored and headlined the July and December Record Clearing Clinics, and will to support the program again this year.

AIDS Project

David Stanley is a partner at Reed Smith. David has been a powerhouse at the ALSP assisting with a substantial volume of U-Visa cases for clients who have endured the trauma of violent crimes. David took a case in 2016 for a client who had been a victim of a violent robbery. After years of tireless advocacy and work, the client was finally granted his U-Visa in the fall of 2023. David’s commitment to assisting and advocating for our clients is truly commendable, embodying the essence of compassion and resilience in the legal profession.