Behind the cases, there are faces.

Behind the cases, there are faces.
Law Foundation of Silicon Valley
Annual Report 2008|2009
“I am so grateful to have had Fair Housing and everyone to help prevent
future people from being discriminated against.” – FHLP client. “I am
not only satisfied, I’m impressed.” – HLS Client. “I cannot explain how
much my clients have benefited from your services over the past year. I
do hope that we have other cases that cross paths in the future.” – San
Mateo County Social Worker. “My advocate helped me to see the support
Table of Contents
Message from the President 2
Law Foundation of Silicon Valley
4
get my questions answered” – MHAP Client. “You and PILF may not
2008/2009 Board of Directors/President’s Advisory Council 6
think inmates notice your hard work and kindness, but we do...and I’ve
Past Presidents
8
been exceedingly grateful for wonderful people like yourself who haven’t
Tribute to Kerstin Arusha
9
Fair Housing Law Project
10
Health Legal Services
14
Legal Advocates for Children & Youth
18
Mental Health Advocacy Project 22
service. Thank you.” – HLS Client. “The vast amount of knowledge at my
Public Interest Law Firm
26
attorney’s fingertips was astounding and her support unending. There
Pro Bono Program
30
Volunteers
34
Events
35
– LACY Client. “The advocate quickly and easily moved me into a freer
The Albert J. Ruffo Endowment
36
and more self-controlled experience...she filled in all the gaps in my
Donors 2008/2009
37
understanding of the process.” – MHAP Client. “I was glad to see [PILF]
Staff
40
New Office Location
45
Financials 46
that’s out there in the community, to know that I have options and to
forgotten simple people like myself.” – PILF Client. “We believe that your
mere presence in our community made a difference.” – FHLP Client. “I
was pleased to have legal representation available with such professional
was not one time when I called for help that I wasn’t fully supported.”
take on this issue, happy to lend my support, and very pleased you were
able to resolve it so nicely as well.” – PILF Community Partner. “Since
everything was handled with courteous professionalism there is nothing
that can be improved upon.” – FHLP Client. “I found someone I can trust
and depend on at [HLS].” – HLS Client. “Public Interest Law Firm is
coordinating Poll Watching on Election Day here in Santa Clara County.
This is a very good thing for our County!” – PILF Community Partner.
We make a living by
what we do, we make
a life by what we give.
Message from the President
> David M. Shannon
Dear Friends, Colleagues and Supporters of the Law Foundation:
The 1960s in the United States were an exciting and turbulent time to be sure. Many of us were caught up in the
dreams of our leaders such as Martin Luther King, the Reverend Ralph Abernathy, Robert F. Kennedy, and Hubert
Humphrey. Their vision of a society not premised on color or other identifier, and with equal civil rights and access
to justice for all, shaped an entire generation and inspired many of us to join the legal profession.
Yet, decades later, many in our society still cannot afford legal representation and are thus denied an effective
voice for their basic needs and exercise of their civil rights. The Law Foundation of Silicon Valley steps forward and
provides this segment of our society with a strong voice and world-class legal representation and support. Over the
past 35 years, the Law Foundation has served more than 100,000 clients through its five programs. These clients
include those at the beginning of life—children; those in the twilight of life—the aged; and those in the shadows of
life—the sick and challenged.
This past year has seen tremendous financial turmoil that impacted all of us. Those less fortunate often suffer
most and are at risk of being pushed to the margins of our society. It is during these times that they, and the Law
Foundation which serves them, need our help most of all. Your support of the Law Foundation, through donations
of money, pro bono assistance, or volunteering your time, ensures the continued viability of the Law Foundation and
its noble goals, and immeasurably improves the lives of thousands in our community who need our help.
This last year, though turbulent, was in many ways a tremendous year at the Law Foundation. Despite a deep
recession, through tough choices, significant sacrifices and good planning, the Law Foundation has weathered much
of the current financial storm, and our level of legal service to the local community grew in both quantity and quality.
Some key decisions and accomplishments from the last year include:
– We served more than 7,500 clients at a cost of under $5 million.
– Law Foundation management and staff took substantial voluntary pay cuts to maintain services.
– Management, staff, the Board and Executive Committee spent months reviewing, negotiating for, and winning approval of the Santa Clara County Juvenile Dependency Contract, adding 2,100 foster youth clients to the Law Foundation annually and increasing the size of the organization by 40%.
– Both the Annual Dinner and the LACY Honors luncheon were well attended, and the funds raised allowed us to maintain our vital programs in our community.
A good year in a tough climate to be sure. But there is always more we can and should do. I call on each of you
to continue to choose the Law Foundation as the primary beneficiary of your generosity.
My sincere thanks to the Law Foundation management, attorneys and staff, and my fellow Board members for
making the last year manageable and always fun.
2
Source: Sir Winston Churchill
Law Foundation of Silicon Valley
c L I E N T sto r y
Since 1974, the Law Foundation of Silicon Valley has provided free legal services to low-
Sarah contacted Health Legal Services (HLS) about her three-year-old
income and underrepresented individuals. As the Law Foundation has sought to meet the
son, Charlie, when she received notice from the Social Services Agency
profound need for such services, it has grown to include its current five programs, through
that he was being terminated from Food Stamps and Medi-Cal due to
which it serves thousands of low-income Silicon Valley residents every year. Each story is
his immigration status. Both Sarah and Charlie are HIV-positive and
unique, but the following pages will allow you to glimpse what a few clients faced and how
immigrated to the Bay Area from Sierra Leone—via a long stay in Senegal—in 2006. Charlie’s
the Law Foundation was able to change their lives.
medical providers were extremely worried about the threatened loss of Medi-Cal, as Charlie needs
ongoing medical care for his HIV. Sarah has been working to support herself and Charlie but would
O u r H isto r y
be unable to afford expensive HIV medications. HLS researched the situation and discovered
In 1974, a forward-looking group of Santa Clara County Bar Association leaders recognized
that Charlie still should have been eligible for full-scope Medi-Cal under a specific immigration
that the community needed to empower traditionally underrepresented individuals and groups
category and worked with the Social Services Agency to have his health insurance restored. HLS
to achieve their potential by protecting their human rights through multi-lingual advocacy,
also counseled Sarah about options for adjusting Charlie’s immigration status. Charlie now is able
education, counseling, and free access to the legal system. To help make this dream a reality,
to access life-sustaining medical care from Stanford Hospital, and his prognosis is good. Sarah is
these leaders founded the Law Foundation in May 1974. Initially, the Law Foundation’s sole
taking college courses and hopes to attend medical school.
project was Public Interest Law Firm, but the organization’s scope soon expanded to offer a
variety of services. Today, the Law Foundation of Silicon Valley provides free legal services
to individuals in need in Silicon Valley through five programs: Fair Housing Law Project,
Health Legal Services, Legal Advocates for Children & Youth (LACY), Mental Health Advocacy
Project, and Public Interest Law Firm. In July 2009, LACY was awarded a new state contract
to represent over 2,000 foster youth clients in Dependency Court, leading to the addition of
sixteen new staff attorneys and three new social workers. With the Law Foundation’s expansion
of services has come a greater diversification of the organization’s sources of financial support,
which now include special events; federal, state, and local governments; foundations; other
non-profit organizations; and corporate and individual donors.
O u r M issio n
The Law Foundation’s mission is to secure justice and protect human rights by providing
legal advocacy, counseling, and access to the legal system for those who would otherwise be
underrepresented.
4
5
2008/2009 Board of Directors/President’s Advisory Council
2008/2009 Board of Directors
E x ec u tive office r s
David M. Shannon
President NVIDIA Corporation
Darryl P. Rains
President-Elect
Morrison & Foerster LLP
Eric Jensen
Secretary
Cooley Godward
Kronish LLP
Richard J. Ostiller
Treasurer
Navigant Consulting, Inc.
B oa r d of D i r ecto r s
Edward V. Anderson – Sidley Austin LLP
Montgomery Kersten – Community Leader
Norman J. Blears – Hogan & Hartson LLP
Mark Linder – City of Cupertino
Brian E. Cabrera – Synopsys, Inc.
Scott Maples – Microsoft Corporation
Neel Chatterjee – Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP
Larry Marshall – Stanford Law School
Howard Clowes – DLA Piper LLP
Jay Monahan – Vuze, Inc.
Alexis S. Coll-Very – Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP
Laura M. Owen – Spirent Communications, Inc.
Charles T. C. Compton – Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati
Elizabeth Pipkin – McManis Faulkner
Janet Craycroft – Intel Corporation
Virginia K. DeMarchi – Fenwick & West LLP
Peter N. Detkin – Intellectual Ventures
James J. Elacqua – Dechert LLP
Frederick Gonzalez – SonicWall, Inc.
Vernon H. Granneman – Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP
John Schultz – Hewlett-Packard Company
Vicki S. Veenker – Shearman & Sterling LLP
Melanie D. Vinson – Community Leader
Bernard J. Vogel, III – Silicon Valley Law Group
Toni P. Wise – Greenberg Traurig LLP
Debra L. Zumwalt – Stanford University
James K. Bower – Executive Director,
Law Foundation of Silicon Valley
P r eside n t ’ s A dviso r y C o u n cil
Honorable Read Ambler (Ret.) – JAMS
Harry B. Bremond – Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati
Honorable John Flaherty (Ret.) – JAMS
John W. (Jay) Fowler – Bergeson, LLP
Steve Hallgrimson – Berliner Cohen
Allen J. Ruby – Ruby & Schofield
6
From Left to Right
First Row:
Edward V. Anderson, Norman J. Blears, Richard J. Ostiller, Toni P. Wise,
Vernon H. Granneman, Virginia K. DeMarchi, Montgomery Kersten, Elizabeth Pipkin, James J. Elacqua, Neel Chatterjee
Second Row: John Schultz, Darryl P. Rains, Vicki S. Veenker, Charles T. C. Compton,
Eric Jensen, Melanie D. Vinson, David M. Shannon, James K. Bower
Professor Edward H. Steinman – Santa Clara University School of Law
Lawrence Stone – Santa Clara County Assessor
Richard Williams – Realize Consulting Group
James T. Danaher – In Memoriam
Albert J. Ruffo – In Memoriam
7
Past Presidents
Kerstin Arusha
Our past presidents are leaders who have built a foundation for our success.
2008 Neel Chatterjee
2007 Melanie D. Vinson
2006 Peter Detkin
2005 Richard J. Ostiller
2004 Stuart J. Nichols
2003 Toni P. Wise
2002 Roberta S. Hayashi
2001 Norman J. Blears
J u n e 2 5 , 1 9 7 0 – A p r il 1 5 , 2 0 0 8
2000 Bernard J. Vogel, III
We continue to honor the work of our dear colleague and friend, Kerstin Arusha, who died
1999 Bernard J. Vogel, III
of pancreatic cancer in April 2008. Kerstin was the directing attorney of Fair Housing Law
1998 Charles T. C. Compton
Project (FHLP) and worked at the Law Foundation for over 11 years. She built FHLP into
1997 Hon. Patrick E. Tondreau
one of the finest fair housing and anti-predatory lending firms in the country. Kerstin led
1996 James H. McManis
groundbreaking litigation in protecting tenants with disabilities, home child-care providers,
1995 Hon. Randolf J. Rice
and many others. Well before the mortgage lending crisis hit, Kerstin became an expert in
1994 Mary Dean
protecting borrowers whose loans were unfair and misleading, and her work in this area
1993 Mary Dean
has been spotlighted by multiple national media outlets.
1992 Philip P. Berelson
As a litigator, Kerstin was fearless and tenacious, with a unique ability to achieve
1991 Harry B. Bremond
exceptionally generous outcomes for her clients. As a leader, she was brilliant, creative,
1990 Harry B. Bremond
inspirational, and dedicated to self-improvement. As a colleague and friend, she was loyal
1989 Hon. Alden E. Danner
and devoted. Yet foremost in Kerstin’s life was her steadfast commitment to her family:
1988 Gerald Uelmen
husband Ari and twins Kaja and Tavi always came first.
1987 John W. Fowler
1986 Philip H. Pennypacker
1985 Hon. Jack Komar
1984 Richard Alexander
Kerstin has left an enormous impact on our community and in our hearts; we miss her
greatly. You may join Kerstin’s family, colleagues, and friends in learning more about and
paying tribute to her important work by visiting www.lawfoundation.org/kerstin.
1983 Phillip M. Sims
1982 John Marshall Collins
1981 Victor H. Beauzay
1980 Nordin F. Blacker
1979 Philip L. Hammer
1978 Hon. Alden E. Danner
1977 Hon. Conrad Rushing
8
9
Fair Housing Law Project
Fair Housing Law Project (FHLP) was founded in 1998 in response
to the need for increased enforcement of fair housing laws. Despite
the existence of strong fair housing laws, discrimination continues
to influence who finds and keeps housing and who does not.
FHLP has expanded its practice to combat discrimination not
The good we secure for
ourselves is precarious
and uncertain until it is
secured for all of us and
incorporated into our
common life.
only in rental housing but also in predatory mortgage lending and
foreclosure practices.
10
Source: Jane Addams
Fair Housing Law Project
E victed T e n a n t Ret u r n s H ome
O u r M issio n
Nancy was struck with a serious infection that led to multiple-organ failure
The mission of Fair Housing Law Project (FHLP) is to ensure that all people may freely choose
and several days of unconsciousness in the hospital. Because of her
a place to live without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, ancestry,
precarious health situation during this time, her daughter on two different
sexual preference, marital status, source of income or disability; whether they operate a
occasions notified Nancy’s landlord that she would be late with her rent payment for the following
licensed daycare facility; or whether they have children in their family.
month. At no time did the landlord formally demand payment, so Nancy’s daughter believed that
she had obtained an extension. Nevertheless, when Nancy returned home after several weeks in the
O u r S e r vices
hospital and rehabilitation, she was evicted for non-payment of rent, despite the fact that she tendered
Legal Representation Through direct representation and individual counseling, FHLP provides
her rent check immediately upon her return to her apartment and subsequently submitted a formal
free legal services to people who have experienced discrimination in acquiring or keeping
written request for the landlord to dismiss the unlawful detainer as a reasonable accommodation of
housing in Santa Clara County. FHLP is a client-driven program, which means that each client’s
her disabilities. As a result, Nancy was forced to move from her affordable one-bedroom apartment,
preference about his or her legal enforcement options is critical. FHLP’s 5.5 attorneys represent
which was near her family and her job, to a much more expensive studio apartment in a far-away
victims of housing discrimination at every stage of the process, including early advocacy,
neighborhood. FHLP and co-counsel Brancart & Brancart settled Nancy’s claims with an agreement
investigation, administrative complaints, mediation, and, when necessary, federal and state
that she could return to an apartment in the same complex from which she had been evicted, with
court litigation. Any resolution must include policy changes and education in conformity with
a very reasonable rental rate for a five-year term. The landlord also paid $32,000 to cover Nancy’s
the fair housing laws. FHLP also addresses issues of broad impact through legislative and
moving costs and attorney fees and agreed to attend fair housing training.
regulatory advocacy. Statutory attorney fees received through resolved lawsuits augment grant
funding and donations, enabling FHLP to expand its reach and number of people helped.
Education
An important component of FHLP’s mission is informing members of the community
Family Settles Housing Discrimination Case.
FHLP, together with the Department of Fair
about their housing rights and responsibilities by reaching out to school programs, neighborhood
Employment and Housing, settled a state court case on behalf of the Arevalo family and Project
boards, community centers, churches, and social services organizations. In the past year,
Sentinel against a landlord for discriminating against families with children by imposing overly
educational seminars were attended by hundreds of individuals, and even more people were
restrictive rules and creating a hostile environment for children. The settlement came after a
educated through informational brochures and posters. Thanks to our bilingual outreach
two-year-long battle that included a special motion to strike by the defendant, based on the
coordinator and attorneys, many presentations are given in both English and Spanish.
spurious allegation that the lawsuit was a strategic attempt to limit the defendant’s right to
participate in public debate (anti-SLAPP motion). Eventually, the defendant paid $125,000,
which included damages to the plaintiffs and attorney fees.
SUCCESS STORIES
Lawsuit over Elder Abuse and Predatory Lending Settles.
FHLP sued in federal court on
behalf of Dominic Concetti, an 85-year-old legally blind and functionally deaf man who also
was experiencing cognitive impairments. FHLP sued his mortgage brokers and his lender after
they conned him into refinancing his home of 50 years, with a loan that he could never afford
and under which he would surely lose his home. With the help of volunteer attorney Kevin
Hunsaker and pro bono partner McDermitt Will & Emery, FHLP negotiated with the defendants
to acquire a $285,000 principal pay-down and a 30-year mortgage with far superior terms.
Additionally, the defendant mortgage brokers and lender, IMPAC Funding, paid monetary
damages to Mr. Concetti and attorney fees to FHLP.
12
13
Health Legal Services
(formerly AIDS Legal Services & the Diabetes Law Collaborative)
In November 2009, AIDS Legal Services (ALS) changed its name to
Health Legal Services (HLS) to reflect an expansion of its services.
ALS was founded in 1988 to respond to the critical need for legal
assistance for people with HIV and AIDS who would otherwise go
As medical-legal partnerships
train doctors to screen for the
social determinants of health
and encourage lawyers to
practice preventive law, we are
simultaneously transforming
how healthcare is delivered
and the legal service delivery
model for vulnerable individuals
and families.
without representation in the legal system. In March 2009, ALS
and Santa Clara Valley Medical Center launched a new program to
serve the legal needs of low-income residents living with diabetes:
the Diabetes Law Collaborative at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center.
This collaborative grew out of the Law Foundation’s 2007 strategic
plan, in which ALS expanded its model of providing free, holistic
legal services for low-income individuals living with HIV/AIDS to
include those living with other chronic illnesses such as diabetes.
The new name—Health Legal Services—reflects this expansion
of focus. HLS remains steadfast in its commitment to the rights of
persons living with HIV/AIDS while expanding strategically to serve
other populations in need.
14
Source: National Center for Medical-Legal Partnership
Health Legal Services
(formerly AIDS Legal Services & the Diabetes Law Collaborative)
L eah ’ s S to r y
O u r M issio n
Leah came to HLS because she was worried about affording health
In November 2009, AIDS Legal Services and the Diabetes Law Collaborative officially became
care. She had been working as an in-home care worker through Santa
Health Legal Services (HLS).
Clara County for her father. However, in February 2009, her father
The mission of AIDS Legal Services has been to secure justice and the protection of human
rights for people with HIV/AIDS through the development, delivery, and sponsorship of
specialized legal services.
passed away. Leah not only lost her father and her income; she was also told that, to keep her health
insurance through COBRA, she would need to pay $472 each month. She could not afford this
premium and did not think she would be able to see her doctors or obtain her diabetes medications
without insurance. HLS spoke to Leah’s COBRA administrator and discovered that she was eligible
The mission of the Diabetes Law Collaborative has been to improve health stability for low-
for help paying her COBRA premiums through the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
income adults living with diabetes by providing holistic direct legal services and systemic
Leah was able to afford the reduced premium of $165 and was reinstated on her insurance.
advocacy through a medical-legal partnership model.
O u r S e r vices
HLS is the only legal assistance program in Santa Clara County specializing in HIV/AIDS
she was entitled. Teresa had been living with her husband, who also received SSI; thus, her
and diabetes-related law. HLS has a staff of three attorneys, assisted by a part-time intake
benefits were based on one half of the couple’s combined benefits, a lesser amount than she
worker, a volunteer, and law students, who provide direct legal services to individuals living
would receive as an individual. However, her husband had left the marriage the previous
with HIV/AIDS and diabetes in Santa Clara County. HLS staff provide assistance in a wide
month and was not providing Teresa with any support. Meanwhile, she also had received a
range of practice areas by assisting clients with disputes involving private and public benefits
notice that her SSI would end altogether because her husband’s income had increased when
and insurance, advocating for clients in housing and consumer matters, assisting clients with
he began to receive other federal benefits. HLS appealed the Social Security Administration’s
simple estate planning, representing clients in employment discrimination and reasonable
calculations, explaining that Teresa’s husband had left her and that her benefits should be
accommodation matters, representing clients with breach-of-confidentiality issues, and
calculated based solely on her own income. The Social Security Administration recalculated
providing representation or referrals on other legal issues.
Teresa’s eligibility and restored her income.
HLS’s Diabetes Law Collaborative is the first program in the country dedicated to providing
Samuel came to HLS with over $75,000 in uninsured medical bills resulting from a car
legal services to individuals living with diabetes through a medical-legal partnership model. To
accident. He was working and trying to make payments on the bills, but they were piling
address obstacles to health stability that clients living with diabetes face, an HLS staff attorney
up, causing him anxiety and jeopardizing his ability to pay for his housing, food, and other
holds weekly office hours at Valley Medical Center to meet with new clients and provides
necessities. HLS was able to negotiate settlements on almost all of Samuel’s bills that allowed
ongoing legal representation in areas such as employment law, public and private benefits,
him to pay a fraction of what he owed. The final victory in this case occurred when HLS
and housing. HLS also develops legal trainings for medical providers and joins the hospital’s
secured a charity care waiver from a private hospital for Samuel’s $60,000 bill.
diabetes education efforts, as appropriate.
In Jody’s case, HLS intervened in her eviction from an apartment she had shared with her
husband. Jody and her husband had separated, and he left the apartment without paying
16
SUCCESS STORIES
his share of the rent. Since Jody received only a small monthly amount in disability benefits,
Teresa contacted HLS with a number of questions about house payments, property tax,
she could not afford to pay the rest of the rent and was served with an eviction notice. HLS
assistance with utility bills, and access to mental health services. Discussions with Teresa and
negotiated a settlement that allowed Jody more time to move, dismissed the eviction case,
referring agencies revealed that she was receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and
and sealed the court file so that the eviction action will not appear on Jody’s credit report and
Social Security Disability Insurance but that she was not receiving the full amount to which
endanger her ability to find future housing.
17
Legal Advocates for Children & Youth
Children and youth are among the most underrepresented people in
the country. Legal Advocates for Children & Youth (LACY) gives its
clients—each with his or her own unique challenges, needs, and
circumstances—a voice when they need it most. In the last year,
LACY provided free legal representation, advocacy, and information
To safeguard children’s best
interests in dependency court
proceedings, children must
have a direct voice in court,
effective representation, and
the timely input of those
who care about them.
to approximately 3,500 children and youth in Silicon Valley and
educated several hundred children, teens, caregivers, service
providers, and attorneys on legal issues facing children and youth.
In July 2009, LACY was awarded a contract to represent over 2,000
foster children in Santa Clara County, more than doubling the number
of children and youth served.
18
Source: The Pew Commission on Children in Foster Care
Legal Advocates for Children & Youth
M atthew ’ s S to r y
O u r M issio n
Matthew is a 17-year-old youth who has learning and emotional challenges.
Legal Advocates for Children & Youth (LACY) advances the legal rights of children and youth,
When Matthew was eight years old, he and his mother came to LACY for
empowering them to lead healthy and productive lives. We listen to, advise, and advocate for
assistance after his behavior resulted in multiple suspensions from his
our clients to ensure their voices are heard and their rights are protected.
fourth-grade class. LACY was able to help Matthew stabilize his educational placement and receive
appropriate academic and behavioral support to continue to make progress in school. Matthew’s LACY
attorney has worked closely with Matthew and his mother throughout Matthew’s middle school and high
O u r S e r vices
Educational Empowerment Project The Educational Empowerment Project assists students
and their caregivers in school enrollment, school discipline, and special education matters.
Since 2002, LACY has collaborated with the Department of Family & Children’s Services,
Juvenile Probation, and Morrissey Compton Educational Center through Project YEA! to
school years, offering support and legal advice and representation. Matthew is now a senior and is on track
to complete high school. Matthew has developed into a talented artist, and his educational placement
supports his love of art while still helping him remain academically on track. Matthew’s art has been
featured on mugs, t-shirts, and holiday cards.
provide educational advocacy for youth in foster care or in the juvenile justice system. LACY
staff also conduct trainings for parents, social workers, probation officers, and attorneys about
the special education process.
Emancipation Project
The Emancipation Project seeks to educate minors, parents, and
service providers on the realities of emancipation. LACY represents minors who qualify for
emancipation in the court process.
Fostering the Future
LACY provides legal assistance and representation to foster youth
and kinship youth in Silicon Valley transitioning out of the foster care system or reaching
adulthood. Services have included educational advocacy and training, as well as advice and
representation in areas such as health care, housing, and public benefits.
Guardianship Project LACY helps children stabilize their lives by seeking legal guardianships.
LACY accepts referrals from service providers and the community to help establish
guardianships and prevent minors from entering the foster care system. Moreover, local courts
have recognized our expertise in this area by regularly appointing LACY to represent children
in contested guardianship proceedings.
Homeless & Runaway Youth Project LACY provides legal representation, advice, and education
Juvenile Dependency Project Through a competitive bidding process, LACY was recently
awarded the contract to represent over 2,000 children in the Santa Clara County foster care
system who have suffered abuse and neglect. LACY hired an additional team of attorneys,
social workers, supervisors, and administrative staff to provide multi-disciplinary and
holistic services to this population.
Legal Clinics LACY opened a medical-legal partnership clinic at Valley Medical Center in
the pediatric clinic, providing children and families with on-site legal services on a weekly
basis. LACY also continues to operate a school-based legal clinic at Andrew Hill High School.
Safe Families Project The Safe Families Project provides representation and education for
pregnant and parenting teens in paternity, child custody and support, and visitation matters.
A collaboration with community organizations led to a network of holistic services designed
to protect teen victims involved in unhealthy relationships. Through this program, LACY
staff provide legal advice and representation to obtain restraining orders, as well as case
management and safety planning. In addition, LACY attorneys are regularly appointed to
represent children in high-conflict family law proceedings.
to homeless children and young adults in our community. LACY attorneys and social workers
advise youth on their rights and help them legalize stable living arrangements.
20
21
Mental Health Advocacy Project
Over the past year, Mental Health Advocacy Project (MHAP)
provided free legal services to individuals with mental health and
developmental disabilities in Santa Clara County in over 4,000
new matters. MHAP works to enforce and expand the rights and
promote the social dignity of its clients by representing them in legal
Until the great mass of
people shall be filled with
the sense of responsibility
for each other’s welfare,
social justice can never be
attained.
matters; by participating in the reform of the political, economic,
and social structures that affect their lives; and by increasing public
awareness of the social problems they experience and remedies for
those problems.
22
Source: Helen Keller
Mental Health Advocacy Project
M r . C ha n g ’ s S to r y
O u r M issio n
Before becoming permanently disabled by his mental illness of bipolar
The mission of Mental Health Advocacy Project (MHAP) is to empower people with mental
disorder, Mr. Chang worked for 17 years as a senior computer analyst for the
health and developmental disabilities to live more independent, secure, and satisfying lives
County of Los Angeles. In 2002, Mr. Chang became unable to function at
through the enforcement of their legal rights and the advancement of their social and economic
his job and was forced to leave and apply for long-term disability benefits
well being.
provided by his employer’s private insurer.
However, after two years, Mr. Chang’s benefits were terminated prematurely due to his alleged “lack of
O u r S e r vices
compliance” with the insurer’s program reporting rules. Mr. Chang had attempted to comply with the
Economic Rights Unit provides assistance with public benefits, including Supplemental
numerous requests made of him, but he did not know where or how to locate the information demanded
Security Income, Social Security Disability Insurance, Medi-Cal, Medicare, CalWORKs,
by the insurer. As a result, Mr. Chang was forced to live without any income for three years, and he became
Healthy Families, General Assistance, and Unemployment Benefits.
completely dependent on his children for financial support.
Housing Rights Unit
addresses issues of housing and homelessness by defending against
Mr. Chang came to MHAP in 2008, three years after his long-term disability benefits were terminated,
evictions and subsidy terminations and assisting with housing complaints, including complaints
seeking assistance with his appeal of the decision to terminate his benefits. MHAP succeeded in getting
about discrimination, abuse and neglect, landlord/tenant conflicts, and habitability problems.
Mr. Chang’s long-term disability benefits reinstated. He was awarded $180,000 in retroactive pay as well
as approximately $4,000 a month for the next ten years until he becomes eligible for retirement benefits.
Patients’ Rights Unit
works on both individual and systemic levels to ensure compliance
Mr. Chang is now living independently and was able to repay his children for their years of support.
with laws governing mental health patients’ rights in psychiatric facilities and programs. It also
represents clients at hearings regarding involuntary hospitalization and medication.
SUCCESS STORIES
Tanya is a young woman with major depression and post-traumatic
space. The landlord then sued to evict Frances for hoarding and cluttering and not residing in
stress disorder as a consequence of a childhood of abuse at the hands of her stepfather, as
the apartment, even though its own actions had made it impossible for Frances to live there.
well as a long-term relationship with a violent partner. She had applied for Supplemental
MHAP advocated for reasonable accommodations and eventually negotiated a substantial
Security Income (SSI) but had been denied. Tanya came to MHAP after a private attorney
monetary settlement that enabled Frances to find a healthy and safe place to live.
Economic Rights Unit
representing her dropped her case due to her inability to maintain her mental health treatment
after Santa Clara County stopped providing most mental health services to uninsured people.
MHAP took on her case and won a favorable decision to secure for Tanya both SSI benefits
and accompanying Medi-Cal coverage. She has been able to stay in her housing now that she
can pay rent, and she has been able to restart her psychiatric treatment.
Housing Rights Unit Frances lives with an anxiety disorder, the effects of a traumatic brain
Patients’ Rights Unit Michael is a mental health patient whose mental health care provider
discontinued his care, claiming that the controversial medication with which he was being
treated was subject to abuse—ignoring his long history of successful treatment with it.
MHAP represented Michael at a hearing before the County Mental Health Department, which
determined that Michael had been improperly denied mental health care and transferred him
to another provider for appropriate care and treatment.
injury, and multiple chemical sensitivities. Even though she—and her MHAP attorney—asked
her landlord not to renovate her apartment because she could not tolerate the chemical fumes,
the company did so anyway, and then rejected her request to be moved to a suitable living
24
25
Public Interest Law Firm
Justice is conscience, not
a personal conscience
but the conscience of
the whole of humanity.
Public Interest Law Firm (PILF) was formed in 1974 to provide
legal representation through class action and impact litigation to
individuals and groups whose civil and constitutional rights were
threatened. PILF focuses its efforts on assisting elders, youth,
individuals with disabilities, those who are frequent victims of illegal
discrimination, and those who are poor. PILF believes in providing
the highest quality of legal representation to its clients and pursuing
litigation only when it is the most effective solution to their legal
problems. In 1987, the firm expanded its ability to provide such
representation though the development of Public Interest Counsel,
a panel of law firms committed to co-counseling with PILF on a pro
bono basis.
26
Source: Inaugural speech of President Woodrow Wilson (March 14, 1913)
Public Interest Law Firm
New L aw E n s u r es A ccess to A pp r op r iate H o u si n g
O u r M issio n
fo r S e n io r s with M e n tal H ealth D isabilities
The mission of Public Interest Law Firm (PILF) is to protect the human rights of individuals
PILF, along with co-counsel Simpson Thacher & Bartlett and Mental Health
and groups in the Silicon Valley area who face barriers to adequate representation in the civil
Advocacy Project, negotiated a groundbreaking settlement that will benefit
justice system. PILF accomplishes its mission by leveraging the skills and resources of pro
seniors with disabilities throughout California. The suit, filed on behalf
bono attorneys to provide high-quality representation in class action and impact litigation;
of the non-profit California Association of Mental Health Patients’ Rights Advocates, alleged that the
advocacy to federal, state, and local governments; and litigation support to local legal
California Department of Social Services’ regulation barring people over 59 years of age from being
services programs.
admitted to adult residential facilities discriminated against individuals with mental health disabilities
whose needs would be best served in those facilities. The complaint alleged that this discriminatory
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
PILF has a wide-ranging litigation and advocacy docket in the areas of civil rights; fair, habitable,
and affordable housing; consumer protection; disability access; education and other youth
rights; and rights of individuals in institutions.
In addition to pursuing its own active litigation docket, PILF provides litigation support to local
regulation forced seniors with mental disabilities to languish in housing environments—including locked
facilities—that were not suited to their health needs. It also alleged that the regulation forced seniors
with mental health disabilities to face eviction from homes that had met their critical residential care
needs for years. The settlement removes the regulatory barrier and protects the rights of seniors to live
in the most appropriate housing environment based on their needs. The regulatory change went into
effect throughout the state on September 1, 2009.
legal services agencies (including other Law Foundation programs) by helping to formulate
litigation strategies, co-counseling cases, and drafting and reviewing pleadings and briefs.
Through these litigation support activities, we seek to increase the capacity of these local
and the California Elections Code, county election officials must provide language assistance
agencies to conduct affirmative litigation in their areas of expertise.
in a number of ways, including translated voting guides, translated ballots and signs, bilingual
PILF also provides information, referrals, training, technical assistance, and written materials
to groups and individuals who seek to protect the human rights of, and secure justice for,
underrepresented residents of the Silicon Valley area.
poll workers, and voter hotlines staffed by bilingual operators. PILF’s comprehensive June
2009 report on this poll-monitoring effort outlined the problems that poll monitors observed
on Election Day, citing significant concerns with the multilingual written materials for voters,
a lack of bilingual election officers, inadequate election officer training materials, misleading
PILF leverages its resources by working with co-counsel on many of its matters. This year,
provisional ballots, and numerous other problems. PILF is in the process of working with the
the following firms and organizations served as PILF’s co-counsel: Bay Area Legal Aid; Child
Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters to ensure that these problems do not prevent voters from
Care Law Center; Cooley Godward Kronish LLP; Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund;
casting ballots in future elections.
Fenwick & West LLP; Howrey LLP; McManis Faulkner; Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP; Relman
& Dane, PLLC; Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP; Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP;
and Youth Law Center.
Report Leads to Anti-Payday Lending Policy Advocacy.
In May 2009, PILF completed a report
commissioned by the Silicon Valley Community Foundation on the status of payday lending laws
and practices in California. Payday loans are lending transactions where a borrower provides a
lender with a post-dated check for the principal loan amount, plus any interest and fees charged
I M PA C T W O R K
by the lender, and receives immediate cash from the lender. With few alternatives to consider,
Election Day Poll-Monitoring Effort Highlights Voting Access Problems. PILF led an
low-income borrowers fall victim to the predatory practices of payday lenders. In California,
unprecedented coordinated effort to monitor 150 polling places in Santa Clara County
a 14-day loan has an average annual percentage rate (APR) of more than 400%. Following
during the November 4, 2008, Presidential Election. PILF led a team of volunteer poll
publication of its report, PILF received a grant to lead a coalition of community partners to
monitors who were trained to identify problems encountered by voters, focusing on any lack
establish broad community support—through education and outreach—for payday lending
of translated voting materials or bilingual poll workers. Under the federal Voting Rights Act
reform that would address the over-proliferation of payday lenders and check cashers in lowand middle-income neighborhoods in San Jose. PILF began work on this project in October.
28
29
Pro Bono Program
In the end, service binds us
to each other—and to our
communities and our country—
in a way that nothing else can.
The Law Foundation could not fulfill its mission to secure justice for
disadvantaged members of our community without the partnership of
private attorneys and law firms that donate their time and expertise.
In FY 2008/2009, thanks to the generosity of volunteer attorneys
and other legal staff, pro bono contributions to the Law Foundation
exceeded 12,700 hours and were valued at over $3,700,000.
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP and Skadden, Arps, Slate,
Meagher & Flom LLP together provided pro bono services valued at
$2,815,800.
30
Source: Barack Obama
Pro Bono Program – Opportunities at the Law Foundation
M a r ia’ s S T O R Y
D I R E C T P R O B O N O R E P R E S E N TAT I O N
In 2006, Maria Argentina Garvin purchased a home in San Jose but
The Law Foundation’s three direct-services projects—Health Legal Services, Legal Advocates
immediately realized something was wrong when she was coerced into taking
for Children & Youth, and Mental Health Advocacy Project­­—have opportunities for lawyers
out a third loan that cost her over $30,000 in fees. Her loan payments
who would like to make a difference in someone’s life by providing direct pro bono services to
were several thousand dollars more than she had been told. Mrs. Garvin sought help from FHLP, which
individual clients in need of free legal representation.
discovered that her mortgage broker, real estate agent, and lender had lied both to her and to the lending
You could help an MHAP client whose disability prevents him from working and who needs to
appeal a denial of disability benefits so that he can pay for basic necessities of life, like food,
clothing, and shelter. Through LACY, you could help a child stay out of foster care by obtaining
a guardianship with her grandparents. Or you could help an HLS client who has suddenly
suffered a serious health decline and needs immediate assistance with drafting a simple will
and durable power of attorney for health care.
banks, selling her a home she could never have afforded nor qualified for. FHLP found that Mrs. Garvin
was one of several dozen victims of this scheme in Santa Clara County in 2006 alone. With the pro bono
assistance of Greenberg Traurig LLP, FHLP filed suit in 2006, representing nine victim families, four of
whom have lost their homes. Greenberg Traurig has been a zealous partner throughout litigation and even
sponsored the 2008 holiday season for all the plaintiffs, donating beds, heaters, clothes, blankets and toys.
Plaintiffs have obtained a partial summary judgment against the lender and look forward to trial in June.
C O - C O UN S E L I N G W I T H T H E L A W F O UN D AT I O N
What is the time commitment?
Another pro bono avenue is for law firms to co-counsel with one of our litigation programs, Fair
one case or providing ten hours of pro bono work per year.
Housing Law Project and Public Interest Law Firm. In the past, firms have worked with FHLP
and PILF on matters ranging from predatory lending to discrimination in primary education
to inmates’ constitutional rights; they have reported great satisfaction with the litigation
experience and hands-on client contact that these cases have offered.
Fair Housing Law Project has co-counseling opportunities in cases helping victims of predatory
home loans. FHLP’s clients, often elderly or monolingual Spanish-speaking, are targeted by
“Loan a Lawyer”
We ask that pro bono attorneys commit to taking at least
The Law Foundation invites law firms to consider offering the services of
an attorney for a period of two to six months to work in-house with our staff.
Whom should you contact about these opportunities? If you are or your firm is interested
in a pro bono opportunity with the Law Foundation, please contact Kyra Kazantzis at
(408) 280-2401 or [email protected].
unscrupulous brokers and lenders who charge enormous fees and establish loans unaffordable
Many local law firms have generously contributed their time and resources on behalf of Law
to the clients. These clients often are given misleading information about their loans, pressured
Foundation clients as co-counsel on our cases.
to sign quickly, and threatened with legal action if they do not follow through. As a result of
these predatory loans, clients lose their equity and often the home itself.
Public Interest Law Firm works with private pro bono co-counsel on most of its impact
litigation matters, which are wide-ranging. PILF’s cases involve civil rights; fair, habitable, and
affordable housing; consumer protection; disability rights; education and other youth issues;
and rights of individuals in institutions.
MORE ABOUT HOW YOU CAN HELP
What training does the Law Foundation offer?
Law Foundation programs provide legal
training in practice areas such as guardianships, Social Security claims, consumer rights,
restraining orders, and will/estate preparation. Upcoming trainings are posted on our website,
P r o B o n o D o n atio n s i n F iscal Y ea r J u n e 2 0 0 8 – J u ly 2 0 0 9
These outstanding co-counsel each donated:
Over 1,000 hours: Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP
Over 200 hours:
Greenberg Traurig, LLP
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher
& Flom LLP Over 100 hours:
Fenwick & West, LLP
Howrey LLP
Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati
4,720 hours Value: $2,695,565
361 hours
Value: $112,429
232 hours
Value: $120,231
www.lawfoundation.org, under “Get Involved: Pro Bono Opportunities.”
32
33
Volunteers
34
Events
Chuck Adams
Marvin Dunson III
H. Hutchinson
John Mazzei
Carla Rosenberg
In May 2009, the Law Foundation hosted the 35th Annual Celebration of Justice, a gala event
Blanca Aguirre
Rolayne Edwards
Ping Hwung
Valerie McConnell
Karen Rosenthal
bringing together the Silicon Valley legal and corporate communities to honor local individuals,
Desiree Almendral
Connie F. Elfenbein
Erika Izquierdo
Katherine McCormack
Jennifer L. Ryan
organizations and law firms that have made a commitment and significant contribution to justice
Edward Anderson
James Elacqua
Brad Jacklin
Elizabeth McCrillis
A. Scheley
during the past year. At this year’s event, we had the pleasure of presenting the Equal Justice Award
N. Anderson
Julie Emede
Eric Jensen
Dominic McKeown
John Schultz
for Pro Bono Service to the law firm of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP for its key co-counseling
Jacqueline Anderson
Alicia Farquhar
Guinevere Jobson
Richard McPalmer
Lisette Sell
work on California Association of Mental Health Patients’ Rights Advocates v. Allenby. Over 700
S. Banola
C. Floridia
Kyle Johnston
M. Miller
David Shannon
judges, attorneys, and corporate and government leaders attended the evening’s celebration,
Andy Banquer
J. Franklin
Deanne Katz
Robert Miller
Judy Shie
which included a live auction, entertainment from our master of ceremonies, Star 101.3’s Don
Norman Blears
David Gable
M. Kemmerling
Jay Monahan
Krista Shoquist
Bleu, and a keynote speech from Dan Abrams, NBC News chief legal correspondent. We were
Claudia Bluer
Eric S. Geffon
Amanda Kennedy
P. Montfort
Jim Simon
pleased to nearly achieve our fundraising goal in very challenging economic times by raising
M.N. Bogomolyny
Sharon Godbolt
Montgomery Kersten
J. Mull
Jason Soccol
$1,241,200 for equal access to justice in our community!
J. Brandt
Erika Gonzales
P. King
Don Nathe
Tina Soriano
Mashael Brown
Frederick Gonzalez
Terry Koch
Alan Nolley
Pascal Stang
Elizabeth M. Burke
Robert Greeley
Molly Knobler
W. Noori
Jeanna Steele and
Brian Cabrera
Matthew Greinert
Heidi Koh
Liz Neumann
Associates
Constance Carpenter
Vernon Granneman
Dao Lam
Daniell Newman
Nicholas W. Stevens
J. Carpio-Aguilar
Ben Griebe
S. Lane
Michael Nguyen
T. Stout
Lisa Chapman
Raechel Groom-Ferreira Terry LaPorte
Shawna Nourzaie
Shirley Taboda
Neel Chatterjee
Kara Hagen
J. Law
A. Oles
S. Takacs
Howard Clowes
Jyllian Halliburton
Laura Lee
Richard Ostiller
Ruth Silver Taube
Marc Cohen
Cindy L. Hamilton
Rachel Leff-Kich
Laura Owen
Malia Vella
Deborah Collins
Karen Hammes
H. Lelaind
Tracy Petznick
Vicki Veenker
Alexis Coll-Very
Jin W. Han
Mark Linder
Elizabeth Pipkin
J. Villicana
Other events benefiting Law Foundation programs include Walk for AIDS Silicon Valley and a
Charles T.C. Compton
Sheryl Heckmann
Rebecca Lynch
Whitney Pope
Melanie Vinson
Macy’s Passport event. Walk for AIDS is a 10K walk held in downtown San Jose. It is hosted by
Andrew Coven
M. Hendershot
K. Mack
Carla Rabuy
Bernard J. Vogel, III
AIDS Coalition Silicon Valley, of which Health Legal Services is a member. A portion of the proceeds
Sarah E. Cravern
Jose Hernandez
Tatiana Magana
Darryl Rains
Christopher Walton
from these events benefits Health Legal Services. Both annual events are held in the fall.
Janet Craycroft
Fred Herold
David Makman
Margot Rawlins
Elizabeth Ward
Michael Davis-Wilson
Katherine Heyns
Scott Maples
Shiri Regev
Kari F. Weiler
Sandra Davidowitz
C. Hioureas
Mike Marcellini
Shawna Reeves
Sara Wilcox
Virginia DeMarchi
R. Hoberg
Elliot Margolies
N. Rey
Toni Wise
ShannonDeNatale
Randal J. Holderfield
Sarah Marinelli
Saundra Riley
Suzanne Yang
Stephen Dekovich
Jong Hong
Larry Marshall
Daniel Ritchert
Ismat Yassin
Peter Detkin
Whitney Houston
Ed Massey
Kelly Rodriguez
Yuriy Yepishin
Annie Distefano
Eric Hu
Mary Mastrobattista
Michael Rome
I. Young
Cathleen Donohoe
Darren Hutchins
Scott Maurer
Giselle S. Roohparvar
Debra Zumwalt
Every fall we host LACY Honors, an inspiring luncheon celebration honoring one individual and
one organization that have made significant commitments and contributions to youth and families
in our community. In November 2008, we were honored to recognize Teresa Malekzadeh and
Somos Mayfair. Ms. Malekzadeh is the program director and special education supervisor of the
Beacon School in San Jose. Under her caring and expert leadership, Beacon provides countless
students with a safe and supportive environment that fosters independent living skills, academic
achievement, and the opportunity to be successful in daily living. Somos Mayfair was recognized
for its creative and effective community outreach programs, including its “Promontores” Family
Support community educators and its theatrical performances and workshops using drama,
humor, and traditional Mexican culture to promote healthy lives and families.
Through all of these events, we invite participants and sponsors to become involved in our
mission to provide equal access to justice by donating the precious gifts of time or money that
allow our organization to succeed. For more information about how to sponsor one or more of our
events, please contact Jim Bower at (408) 280-2419 or [email protected].
35
The Albert J. Ruffo Endowment
In 2003, the Law Foundation established the Albert J. Ruffo Endowment to ensure equal
access to justice for underrepresented people in both good and bad economic times. The
Donors 2008/2009
We acknowledge and thank the following individuals, companies, and organizations for their gifts of $100 or
more between July 1, 2008, and June 30, 2009.
endowment provides security for the Law Foundation in the form of unrestricted income and
$70,000+
Sidley Austin LLP
Julie Bussgang and Rich Bernius
helps demonstrate the organization’s stability and maturity to the community. If you would like
Cooley Godward Kronish LLP
Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP
your donation to be earmarked for the endowment, contact Jim Bower at (408) 280-2419.
DLA Piper LLP
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
LexisNexis
L aw S chool L oa n Repayme n t P r og r am
Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP
$18,000–$24,999
The Ruffo Endowment will be dedicated to addressing one of the most pressing challenges in
Silicon Valley Community Foundation
Apple Inc.
our profession: the effect of spiraling law school tuition costs on the ability of young lawyers
to choose public interest law as a career. While associates at large law firms are able to defray
the costs of their legal educations with starting salaries up to $160,000, our dedicated staff
Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati Foundation
attorneys have starting salaries of less than one third of that amount. At the same time, there
$50,000–$69,999
is an increasing need for public interest lawyers, with two thirds of the legal needs of those
Blakely Sokoloff Taylor & Zafman LLP
living in poverty going unmet.
Michelle & Peter Detkin
Equal Justice Works
H O W T O D O N AT E
NVIDIA
In addition to supporting the Endowment, we welcome your donation via any of the
Silicon Valley Campaign for
Legal Services
following methods:
Synopsys, Inc.
•Make an unrestricted cash donation online at www.lawfoundation.org or via check
payable to: The Law Foundation of Silicon Valley.
•Designate the Law Foundation as the recipient of a cy pres award.
•Donate stock or other securities.
•Make a bequest in your estate plan.
•Donate to the Kerstin Arusha Tribute Fund.
•Donate a vehicle, in any condition, through Vehicles for Charity at
www.vehiclesforcharity.com, selecting the Law Foundation as your charity.
•Sign up for eScrip so that a percentage of your regular purchases at a variety of
stores goes to the Law Foundation. Get more information at www.escrip.com.
$35,000–$49,999
Fenwick & West, LLP
McManis Faulkner
Merrill Corporation
Morrison & Foerster LLP
Perkins Coie LLP
Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw
Pittman LLP
Bingham McCutchen LLP
James Elacqua
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP
Greenberg Traurig LLP
Sheryl Heckmann
Eric Jensen
Montgomery Kersten
Kirkland & Ellis LLP
Ropes & Gray LLP
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP
Townsend and Townsend and
Crew LLP
Heritage Bank of Commerce
Huron Consulting Group
Intellectual Ventures
IPotential
JAMS
Keker & Van Nest LLP
Latham & Watkins LLP
Life Generations Health Care
Littler Mendelson
Manatt Phelps & Phillips LLP
McDermott Will & Emery LLP
McGrane Greenfield LLP
James McManis
Navigant Consulting, Inc.
Greg Novak
Novak Druce + Quigg LLP
$12,000–$17,999
Olander Family Foundation, Inc.
Edward Anderson
The Recorder
Neel Chatterjee
Rick Ostiller
Dechert LLP
Rutan & Tucker LLP
Hon. Ron Del Pozzo
David Shannon
Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP
Shearman & Sterling LLP
Hogan & Hartson LLP
Stella B. Gross Trust
Innovation Management Sciences
$25,000–$34,999
Morgan Lewis & Bockius LLP
Tides Foundation – DSJJ
Fund Grant
Howard Clowes
Murabito, Hao and Barnes LLP
Stephanie M. Tombrello
Fish & Richardson P.C.
Rambus Inc.
Urbanek Family Foundation
Hewlett-Packard Company
Sonnenschein, Nath & Rosenthal LLP
Wells Fargo Foundation
Howrey LLP
Lucile Packard Children’s Foundation
Microsoft Corporation
36
Altos Foundation
GCA Law Partners LLP
White & Case LLP
WilmerHale
$5,000–$11,999
Association of Corporate Counsel
John D. Wilson
Winston & Strawn LLP
37
Donors 2008/2009
$1,000–$4,999
K&L Gates LLP
Bernard J. Vogel III
AIDS Coalition Silicon Valley
Rubina H. Kazi
Kenyon & Kenyon LLP
Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP
Hon. Read Ambler
Gregory H. Kisor
Melissa A. Kosciusko
Frank A. Argenbright, Jr.
Ilja Bedner
Frank Bernstein
Norman Blears
The Lanier Law Firm
Jeffrey J. Lederman
J. Michael Di Pretoro
Lawrence A. Bennett
Jeffrey N. Hyman
Richard Siegel
Project Sentinel
Ashlie Beringer
Jamie Jacobs-May
Susan Silverman
Erik Edwards
David Pursley
Virginia Biddle
Masha Khazan
Philip Simpkins
Suzanne Yang
Noemi C. Espinosa
Lilanthi Ravushankar
Jim and Nancy Bower
Sallie Kim
Jonathan Simpson
Debra Zumwalt
John F. Font, Ph.D., Associates
Magan Ray
Justin Boyce
Hon. Lucy H. Koh
Theresa Sutton
$250–$999
Kimberly Fullerton
Michael Reedy
Karen Burgess
Nicole Lavallee
Symantec
Mabell Aguilar-Fabela
David Furbush
Kent Richardson
Gina Chang
Jenny Lee
Michael R. Tyler
Craig Y. Allison
Greg Galasso
Timothy K. Roake
Ivan Chaperot
Joan Leis
Vicki Veenker
Eva Almirantearena
Gregory M. Gallo
Lilia Rose
Michael Charlson
William Leitsch
Mary Jane Wallace
Applied Materials
Sarah Good
Mike Rosendin
Cammie Chen
Mary Jo Levinger
Lawrence A. Weiss
Elizabeth Roth
Elizabeth Chien-Hale
Michael J. Lopez
Brianna Wilcox
Mark Rowland
Frederick S. Chung
Ed Massey
Warren S. Wolfeld
Jose Ruiz
Maren Clouse
Phil McCabe
Renee Wong
Jennifer Shepherd
Christopher Cobey
Sally McKenna
Hon. Erica R. Yew
Joseph Siino
Shirley K. Cohen
Tom McNeil
Kesa Louise Yorozo
Kunwar Singh
Megan R. Comport
Sachin Mehta
Chien-Ying Yu
John Slafsky
Kimberly Culp
Christopher Minunni
Ellen Zucker
Mark Smith
Elizabeth Dean
Ane Murphy
Andrea Gilbert Stern
Emilynne De Vera
Tahir J. Naim
Robert Stone
Corina Del Pozzo
Leslie Nichols
Paul S. Taylor
Christina Dixon
Lisa Olle
David Tsai
Gal Dor
Jeffrey M. Ota
Masoud Vakli
Merlin Dorfman
Julie Park
Cooley Godward Kronish LLP
Jim Valentine
Mary Dotz
Saswati Paul
Fenwick & West LLP
Sarah Wager
Mark Edmond
Minh Phan
LexisNexis
Garrett Waltzer
Chuck Farrell
Richard A. Pimentel
Merrill Corporation
Sara Wilcox
Daniel Feldstein
Mark Pitchford
Microsoft Corporation
Toni Wise
Christopher Field
Sanjay Prasad
Marcus Wong
Robert M. Foley
Luther C. Pugh
Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP
Jonathan Zucker
Diana Forsyth
Stanley R. Rawn Jr.
Robert R. Ghoorah
Kathi Rawnsley
Miye A. Goishi
Jeff Risher
Gordon & Rees, LLP
Walter J. Robinson
Shannon Guzzetta
Diana M. Rutowski
Nels Hansen
Robert Schlossman
Mark Haynes
Sandra Selvi
Donna Hill
Bryan Shaner
Christina Hioureas
Sayuri Sharper
Dolores A. Carr
Mark Linder
Lorraine Casto
Alec Chang
Louis & Lillian Detkin Foundation
Alexis S. Coll-Very
Lowenstein Sandler LLP
Hilary Armstrong
Seth Gottlieb
Daniel Cooper
MacKenzie Partners, Inc.
Debra Baker
Ava Hahn
Covington & Burling LLP
Macy’s West, Inc.
Joseph M. Barbeau
Russell Hansen
Virginia DeMarchi
Scott Maples
Bergeson, LLP
Nancy Harris
Equal Justice America
Samantha Merton
Sara Brody
Dar Hay
Ian Feinberg
Jay Monahan
Daniel Bromberg
Linda Justice
Robert Feldman
Morgan Duffy-Smith and Tidalgo LLP
George H. Brown
Kenton J. King
Sonia Brunner
Matthew Larrabee
Quy Bach Nguyen
Brian E. Cabrera
Norton Levine
Flicker, Kerin, Kruger & Bissada LLP
Stuart J. Nichols
Constance Carpenter
Justin Lichterman
Chris Ottenweller
Laurie Chambers
Samuel G. Liversidge
Jay Fowler
Laura Owen
Rena Su Ling Chng
Patricia M. Lucas
Robert E. Freitas
Mark Parnes
Chris Scott Graham
Quinn Emanuel Urquhart Oliver & Hedges, LLP
Community Health
Partnership
Kurtis MacFerrin
Fremont Bank Foundation
Charles T.C. Compton
June Melger
Vern Granneman
Darryl Rains
Monte Cooper
Mark J. Mihanovic
Haynes and Boone LLP
Kristine L. Riley
John Crittenden
Katharine Moir
Haynes Beffel & Wolfeld LLP
Robert Half International
Christopher Croft
Alicia Jayne Moore
Kathryn Schlepphorst
Scott Darling
David Healey
Angela Moore
Chad Skinner
Gregory T. Davidson
Hoge Fenton Jones & Appel, Inc.
Donelle C. Morgan
Spirent Communications, Inc.
Dario De Ghetaldi
Antoinette L. Morris
Howard Rice Nemerovski Canady Falk & Rabkin, P.C.
Philip Decker
$100–$249
Thomas Stout
Gil Ohana
Moses Diaz
Nicole Aeschleman
Scott Switze
Amy S. Park
Dean Dierschow
Laura D. Attardi
Lynn Pasahow
Dana Ditmore
Georgia E. Bacil
Trucker Huss, APC
Christine E. Peek
Sanjeet Dutta
Janet Banerjee
Melanie Vinson
James Pooley
John Dwyer
Christopher Banys
Matthew Poppe
Ernest Beffel Jr.
Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund
Jason P. Hunter
Deborah Johnson
38
Larry R. Langdon
Edgewood Center for Children & Families
Andrew Neil Thomases
Stewart L. McDowell
IN-KIND
D O N AT I O Ns
American Business Equipment
Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP
The Recorder
San Jose/Silicon Valley Business Journal
Spirent Communication
Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati Foundation
Yuriy Yepishin
39
Fair Housing Law Project
Law Foundation of Silicon Valley
On behalf of the Law Foundation’s clients and dedicated staff, thank you for
caring! Over the past 35 years, the Law Foundation has served over 100,000
clients. This year we grew significantly, from 50 to over 70 staff members, in
order to represent the foster children and youth of Santa Clara County through an
innovative and focused approach. Through the severe recession, our entire team
made significant financial sacrifices to maintain services to the community and
save jobs. I continue to be in awe of the quality and dedication of our talented
attorneys, social workers, and staff who choose this honorable work.
This year, our amazing Board members significantly increased their personal
Kyra Kazantzis
Directing Attorney
Diana Castillo
Senior Attorney
Jessica Fry
Staff Attorney
Nuemi Guzman
Annette Kirkham
Jessa Barnard
Marlene Bennett
Legal Assistant/Predatory
Lending
Senior Attorney
giving, continued to share our client stories, and served many hours of thoughtful
and compassionate governance. To meet the growing needs of our low- and-veryJim Bower
low-income residents, we ask members of the community, especially attorneys,
Executive Director
to increase their personal contributions as government, corporate, and firm
support is reduced.
The Law Foundation family has weathered a very challenging year. Please join
us in our campaign to bring equal justice to the vulnerable, the disabled, and
victims of abuse, discrimination, and poverty.
Melissa Morris
Senior Attorney
Accounting/Administrative
Assistant
Eva Fong
Senior Accountant
Senior Attorney
James Zahradka
Senior Attorney
Health Legal Services
Executive Staff
Carrie Chung
Kim Pederson
Laura Hayward
Controller
Sheryl Heckmann
Volunteer Annual Dinner
Coordinator
Eunice Kramer
Chief Operating Officer/
Chief Financial Officer
Alison Brunner
Directing Attorney
Chuck Adams
Volunteer Legal Assistant
Hilary Armstrong
Supervising Attorney
Staff Attorney/Equal Justice
Works Fellow
Staff Attorney
Photo
Not
Available
Monica Medel
Receptionist
40
Matthew Hamilton
Volunteer
˜
Rachel Mino
Intake Worker
41
Legal Advocates for Children & Youth
Legal Advocates for Children & Youth
Jennifer Kelleher
Tiffany Acosta
Roxanna Alavi
Lisa Arieta-Hayes
Allison Barnum
Patricia Jimenez
Social Worker
Amanda Kennedy
Heidi Koh
Chantal Kurpiewski Karie Lew
Senior Attorney
Roy Bennett Cathy Brown
Andrew Cain
Carla Cox
Corina Del Pozzo
Jennifer Luczkowiak
Staff Attorney/Equal Justice
Works Fellow
Jezette Luster
Gladys Machain
Kate Haas Manning
Patti Massey
Paralegal
Ben Ebert
Rachel Fightmaster
Jeanine McKelvey
Directing Attorney
Senior Attorney
Social Worker
Legal Secretary
Staff Attorney
Supervising Attorney
Supervising Social Worker
Staff Attorney
Staff Attorney
Senior Attorney
Staff Attorney
Legal Secretary
Office Manager/Contracts
Coordinator
Senior Attorney
Senior Attorney
Senior Attorney
Photo
Not
Available
Adelina Del Real
Legal Assistant/Paralegal
Steve Goetze
Senior Social Worker/Staff
Attorney
42
Rita Duarte
Social Worker
Amy Guy
Senior Attorney
Molly Dunn
Supervising Attorney
Bob Hale
Senior Social Worker
Staff Attorney
Crisanne Hazen
Senior Attorney
Staff Attorney
Maighna Jain
Staff Attorney
Senior Attorney
Nathan Thomas
Social Worker
Candice Saadian
Tamara Schane
Vanji Unruh
Suzanne Yang
Contract Attorney
Senior Attorney
Senior Attorney
Daniel Szrom
Staff Attorney
Bulmaro Tamayo
Senior Social Worker
Staff Attorney
43
Mental Health Advocacy Project
Alison Brunner
Craig Acorn
Susana Angulo
Supervising Attorney
Administrative Assistant
Seth Fisher
Naomi Gould
Anne Hadreas
Senior Economic Rights
Attorney
Patients’ Rights Attorney
Tina Pham
Jim Raphael
Directing Attorney
JV/Economic Rights
Advocate
Jane Mostue
JV/Housing Rights
Advocate
Peer Outreach Specialist
Senior Patients’ Rights
Advocate
New Offices
Ilsa Branch
Molly Brennan
Senior Economic Rights
Attorney
Contract Attorney
Michael Kentz
Trisha Luciano
Athena McMahon
Patients’ Rights Attorney
Economic Rights Advocate,
JD
Charmaine Stanec
Deborah Thrope
JV/Patients’ Rights
Advocate
Maria Sferrazza
Intake Worker
Contracts Coordinator
Katie Dunn
Patients’ Rights Attorney
Housing Rights Attorney
Public Interest Law Firm
The Law Foundation moved to new offices at 152 North Third Street, 3rd Floor, San Jose, California
95112, as of November 1, 2009.
Kyra Kazantzis
Directing Attorney
44
Leslie Cook
Investigator/Paralegal
David Gable
Volunteer
Teresa Magaña
Senior Office Manager
Melissa Morris
Senior Attorney
James Zahradka
Senior Attorney
45
Financials
INCOME 2004/05 2005/06 2006/07 2007/08 2008/2009
ACTUALS ACTUALS ACTUALS ACTUALS ACTUALS
Contributions $
Cy Pres Awards
151,663 $
– 180,174
$
102,581
260,376
$ 269,234$
196,173
19,515
INCOME
238,904
1% Other
10% Individuals
-
40% Government
Contracts
Special Events 1,245,503 1,340,284 1,591,225 1,624,230 1,364,084
Government Contracts 1,047,165 1,057,582 1,252,398 1,355,493 1,692,703
United Way 15,000 15,000
12,000
- -
Legal Services Trust Fund 40,822 67,976
81,200
94,085
111,214
Grants 125,040 198,319
361,186
367,849
427,177
312,015 154,233
306,022
851,720
372,947
16,417 23,488
52,781
45,104
23,833
Attorney Fee Awards Miscellaneous 27% Corporations
TOTAL INCOME
$ 2,953,625 $ 3,139,637
$ 4,113,360
$ 4,627,230$ 4,230,861
$ 2,345,208
$ 3,008,152
$ 3,442,356$ 3,706,031
EXPENDITURES
Attorneys & Staff
$ 2,123,947 Operating Expenses 404,487 437,570
539,974
571,273
799,940
Special Events 196,606 163,669
220,577
239,297
218,506
Development 97,982 74,855
76,301
77,892
19,662
Miscellaneous 9,970 8,101
13,539
77,054
55,939
5% State Bar
8% Grants
9% Fee Awards
TOTAL EXPENSES $ 2,832,992 $ 3,029,403
$ 3,858,542
$ 4,407,872$4,800,078
DIFFERENCE $
$
$
$
120,633
110,234
254,818
219,358
$ (569,217)
EXPENSES
94% Programs
vol u n tee r i n - ki n d
BALANCE SHEET
HOURS
VALUE
Attorney
5,977
Law Student
2,893 259,526
Paralegal
Clerical
TOTAL VOLUNTEER IN-KIND $3,254,782
861 171,979
3,011
12,742
65,865
$ 3,752,152
as of June 30, 2009
5% Special Events
ASSETS
Cash
$
996,331
Accounts Receivable
511,391 Total Fixed Assets
86,223 Total Other Assets
TOTAL ASSETS
1% Fundraising
106,037
$ 1,699,982
LIABILITIES
Accounts Payable
46
$
19,409
Other Liabilities
352,815 TOTAL LIABILITIES
$
372,224
TOTAL EQUITY
$ 1,327,758
TOTAL LIABILITIES
& EQUITY
$ 1,699,982
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Law Foundation of Silicon
Valley as of June 30, 2009, and the changes in its net assets and its cash flows for the year then ended in conformity with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States of America.
~ Harrington Group Certified Public Accountants, October 10, 2009
47
“I am so grateful to have had Fair Housing and everyone to help prevent
future people from being discriminated against.” – FHLP client. “I am
not only satisfied, I’m impressed.” – HLS Client. “I cannot explain how
much my clients have benefited from your services over the past year. I
Law Foundation Staff
do hope that we have other cases that cross paths in the future.” – San
Mateo County Social Worker. “My advocate helped me to see the support
that’s out there in the community, to know that I have options and to
get my questions answered.” – MHAP Client. “You and PILF may not
think inmates notice your hard work and kindness, but we do, and I’ve
been exceedingly grateful for wonderful people like yourself who haven’t
forgotten simple people like myself.” – PILF Client. “We believe that your
mere presence in our community made a difference.” – FHLP Client. “I
was pleased to have legal representation available with such professional
service. Thank you.” – HLS Client. “The vast amount of knowledge at my
attorney’s fingertips was astounding and her support unending. There
was not one time when I called for help that I wasn’t fully supported.”
– LACY Client. “The advocate quickly and easily moved me into a freer
and more self-controlled experience...she filled in all the gaps in my
understanding of the process.” – MHAP Client. “I was glad to see [PILF]
The Law Foundation would like to thank the following contributors to the Annual Report.
Printing donated by:
Concept, design, and layout by:
Original photography by:
take on this issue, happy to lend my support, and very pleased you were
able to resolve it so nicely as well.” – PILF Community Partner. “Since
1731 Embarcadero Road
30 E. Santa Clara Street, Suite 240
560 4th Street
Palo Alto, CA 94303
San Jose, CA 95113
San Francisco, CA 94107
650.493.1400
408.297.7800
www.melphoto.com
www.merrillcorporation.com
www.purematter.com
© 2009 Mel Lindstrom Photography
Most photographs are of actual Law
Foundation clients. Some names have
been changed to protect clients’ privacy.
48
everything was handled with courteous professionalism there is nothing
that can be improved upon.” – FHLP Client. “I found someone I can trust
and depend on at [HLS].” – HLS Client. “Public Interest Law Firm is
coordinating Poll Watching on Election Day here in Santa Clara County.
This is a very good thing for our County!” – PILF Community Partner.
Law Foundation of Silicon Valley
152 NORTH Third Street, 3RD Floor
San Jose, California 95112
408.293.4790 telephone
408.293.0106 fax
www.lawfoundation.org