Renewed Commitments to the Promise of Equal Justice

Renewed Commitmentsto the Promise of

Equal Justice

2008 Annual Report

On the cover:

Michelle MendezEqual Justice Works FellowCASA of Maryland, Inc.Baltimore, Maryland

Michelle Mendez provides direct representation to immigrant families, partners with

law fi rms to bring impact litigation cases and collaborates with stakeholders from all

sectors to improve a broken immigration system. In 2007, when Immigration Customs

Enforcement (ICE) offi cers detained 24 men during a controversial raid in Baltimore,

Michelle stepped up in their defense. Since people cannot be detained without

reasonable suspicion, Michelle successfully challenged the agency’s seemingly random

sweep for illegal immigrants, a violation of ICE’s stated procedures. Events like this

take place across the country in cities and towns where immigrants may not know their

rights or have anyone to defend them. Michelle’s work on this case has allowed three

of the raid victims to fi le damage claims against the Department of Homeland Security

and educated the public about the injustices sometimes involved in immigration raids.

Photos by John Harrington

Contents

2 Commitments to the Promise

7 Financial Position and Activities

8 Sponsors and Fellows

12 Institutional Supporters

14 Individual Supporters

15 Board of Directors and National Advisory Committee

16 Staff

17 Equal Justice Works Across America

The mission of Equal Justice Works is to create a just society by mobilizing the next generation of lawyers committed to equal justice.

For more than 20 years, Equal Justice Works has collaborated with the nation’s leading law schools, law fi rms, corporate legal departments, bar foundations and nonprofi t organizations to provide the training and opportunities that enable attorneys to provide effective representation to vulnerable populations.

We help law schools establish and strengthen public interest programs.

We provide public service work experience, professional development and training for students and lawyers.

We build strong support in the legal profession for public service through pro bono work and fi nancial support.

Our organization has a history of innovation and optimism during diffi cult and uncertain times – even during disasters. Take, for example, our Katrina Initiative that sent 19 lawyers to the Gulf Region just weeks after the hurricanes in 2005.

In the current economy, every nonprofi t faces challenges – increased demand for services and fewer resources to meet those needs. Because of strong commitments from our sponsors and donors, and a culture of stewardship in our use of resources, Equal Justice Works is in a far better situation than most nonprofi t organizations. For that we are very thankful and more resolved than ever to enable the next generation of lawyers to work for justice in underserved communities.

In looking at the achievements of 2008 described in this report as well as the challenges of the coming year, we have balanced reduced support in one area with growth in another. Due to the troubled economy, we will be able to support 48 new privately funded fellowships in 2009, down from 54 in 2008. But as private sponsorships plateau or even decline, federally funded national service is on the rise. Our goal is to grow our AmeriCorps Fellowship Program from 35 Fellows to more than 60. If successful, we will have more than 150 lawyers in the fi eld in 2009 and beyond.

Our challenge is to manage existing programs with limited resources while positioning ourselves to launch new initiatives. Some projects in development include an indigent defense fellowship program modeled after Teach for America, student debt relief outreach to keep up with overwhelming demand for more and better information on reducing barriers to public service, and a placement effort to make successful matches between deferred associates and public interest organizations.

As you can see, the diffi cult economic climate has not limited our aspirations, and the need for legal services has never been greater. The foreclosure crisis, job losses and cuts in state funding have placed unprecedented pressures on already underserved communities.

Thank you for joining us in the work to ensure that all Americans have access to quality legal representation. Now more than ever, the promise of equal justice under law matters.

Anastasia D. Kelly David SternChair of the Board of Directors Chief Executive Offi cer

January 2009

Dear Friend of Equal Justice Works,

2 EQUAL JUSTICE WORKS

Creating Opportunities to ServeWe created the Equal Justice Works Fellowship Program 17 years ago to address the shortage of attorneys working on behalf of underserved populations and causes.

In the fall of 2008, 54 new Equal Justice Works Fellows joined an additional 54 already in the fi eld. These 108 entrepreneurial public interest lawyers work in 20 states at 98 nonprofi t organizations.

The ongoing success of our fellowship program – the largest postgraduate legal fellowship program in the nation – is the result of many factors. Every year, hundreds of public interest-minded law students and recent graduates design two-year programs with nonprofi ts that have an intimate knowledge of the most critical needs of the community they serve. This innovative, community-based model for developing programs ensures they address the most timely, critical issues in our communities including foreclosures, homelessness, community economic development, immigration, civil rights, juvenile justice, employment rights, access to health care, consumer fraud and domestic violence.

Commitments to the PromiseBy the summer of 2008, it seemed certain that the economic downturn would have a substantial impact on legal services and the legal business in general. By the fall, despite the excitement and hope of the general election, what we initially hoped would be a short-lived crisis had evolved into a fundamental shift in the structure of the global economy. By the end of the year, law fi rms had laid off 2,000 attorneys and staff, and warned more layoffs would be coming. Even the most stable legal services organizations began to re-evaluate their goals due to dramatic declines in resources.

At Equal Justice Works, the last year was full of unexpected challenges but also record accomplishments in several program areas. With the launch of a West Coast offi ce and the implementation of legislation that provides public service loan forgiveness, we achieved two longstanding strategic goals. Here are program highlights and other achievements for the year.

2008 ANNUAL REPORT 3

Calling in the Recruits

For people in extreme poverty, legal representation

can mean the difference between homelessness

or shelter, between abuse and dignity, and

between education and hopelessness. As an

Equal Justice Works AmeriCorps Legal Fellow,

Carrie Henrichsen engages law students and

attorneys by creating pro bono opportunities in

South Dakota. Carrie recently coordinated a Family

Law Clinic for low-income clients whose cases

had been deemed “non-urgent” and, therefore,

not eligible for legal assistance. Knowing that

equal access to justice often means access to

quality legal help, a team of attorneys and law

students worked together to help clients escape

domestic violence, protect their children and

support their families despite their economic

challenges. In a state where a relatively small

percentage of lawyers participate in pro bono

work, Carrie is having a transformational impact

on legal services in South Dakota.

Pictured above are AmeriCorps Legal Fellows Sam Senft, Carrie Henrichsen, Bethany Hamilton, Jorge Tormes and Marisol Haro.

The collaborative nature of funding and supporting the Fellows is another strength for the program, especially in diffi cult economic times. We bring together host organizations, public interest lawyers, law fi rms and corporate sponsors and other donors to provide Fellows with the resources they need and give underrepresented populations access to the justice system. Most Fellows remain in close contact with their sponsors throughout their terms, and many identify pro bono opportunities for sponsors within their projects.

Equal Justice Works AmeriCorps Legal Fellowships improve access to justice by increasing the availability of pro bono legal services nationwide to low-income clients. It is one of the most productive and highly regarded national service programs.

Supported by an AmeriCorps grant from the Corporation for National and Community Service, the program is a postgraduate opportunity to address gaps in legal services through pro bono management and direct legal services. During 11-month fellowships, Equal Justice Works AmeriCorps Legal Fellows recruit volunteer law students and lawyers and work to narrow the justice gap in health care, public benefi ts, affordable housing, lost wages, protection orders, education and other areas.

The program makes a lasting impact on the communities it serves by facilitating pro bono opportunities and expanding the legal resources in low-income and underserved communities.

During the 2007–2008 term of service, the 35 Equal Justice Works AmeriCorps Legal Fellows worked at 20 legal services agencies around the country. They represented more than 17,000 clients on pressing legal matters and partnered with 400 organizations to build community infrastructure. They enlisted more than 1,600 pro bono lawyers and recruited more than 2,300 law students to assist in providing legal services to low-income communities.

“Pro bono work among lawyers in South Dakota is rare so engaging law students is vital to sustaining

legal services organizations. My project has increased law student involvement to 51 percent and helped provide legal assistance to thousands of residents.”

Carrie HenrichsenAmeriCorps Legal Fellow

Access to JusticeVermillion, South Dakota


The Other Housing Crisis

Even before natural disasters devastated the

Gulf Coast, the lack of affordable housing was an

acute problem for tens of thousands of residents

in New Orleans. From negotiating new terms

with lenders to ensuring safe living conditions for

tenants, Morgan Williams is helping to stabilize

neighborhoods in the areas hardest hit by the

hurricanes and the recession, and offering hope

to clients. He works to make sure that people

with disabilities have places to live in post-Katrina

New Orleans. This was especially vital for “Tracy,”

a single mother of a four-year-old disabled girl.

Tracy was unable to work because she had to care

for her daughter and was then denied housing

because she didn’t have a job. Morgan brought

an enforcement action that secured a place for

Tracy and her daughter to live. Each day, the work

of Morgan and other Fellows helps disadvantaged

clients fi nd and retain shelter for themselves and

their families.

Pictured above are Fellows Remy De La Peza, Julia Martin, Morgan Williams and Andrew Sta. Ana.

Providing public interest opportunities to law students practically guarantees career-long commitments to public service. The Equal Justice Works Summer Corps program engages law students around the country who are working to expand the delivery of legal services to those who need it most. Summer Corps is another AmeriCorps-funded program that, in 2008, provided over 330 law students with the opportunity to dedicate their summers to public service at qualifying nonprofi t and public interest legal organizations. Members worked at hundreds of nonprofi t public service organizations in 37 states and the District of Columbia. They directly assisted over 18,000 individuals and families in need of legal services, and represented more than 100 Equal Justice Works member law schools.

Promoting the Public Service EthicMany students enter law school with a desire to do some form of public service but have those aspirations dampened by a climate of competition among students, the scarcity of public interest employers in on-campus recruiting and a curriculum that generally has little to do with contemporary injustices. Some public interest-minded students complain after their fi rst year of law school that they feel isolated and disillusioned.

To counter these infl uences, we partner with law schools to fi nd ways to make public service a part of every law student’s education. In 2008, 196 law schools – including nearly all of the ABA accredited schools – were members of our organization. In recent years, many of these schools have made great strides in encouraging public service among students, and leaders in the legal education fi eld have helped to shape the priorities of our industry.

This year, the annual Equal Justice Works Conference and Career Fair set a record for attendance with 1,200 law students and lawyers exploring career options with leading nonprofi t organizations as well as select government agencies.

“As a seventh-generation native of New Orleans, I care deeply about the future of my community. Most of my work is devoted to enforcing the Fair Housing Act, reminding developers that the devastation of the Gulf after the hurricanes didn’t mean that they could ignore the needs of the poor and the disabled.”

Morgan WilliamsEqual Justice Works FellowGreater New Orleans Fair Housing Action CenterNew Orleans, Louisiana


Working with Harris Interactive, we re-engineered the survey for the Equal Justice Works Guide to Law Schools, a free interactive online resource that describes public service opportunities, curricula and fi nancial programs at law schools in the United States. The result of a unique collaboration between Equal Justice Works and participating schools, the guide fi lls a void in existing commercial law school rankings. A third edition of the guide will be launched in fall 2009.

Building National ReachIn March, we achieved a longstanding organizational goal when we launched Equal Justice Works/West in California, our fi rst offi ce outside of Washington, DC. Already, our commitment to narrowing the justice gap in the state has resulted in supporting 130 Equal Justice Works Fellows and 85 AmeriCorps Legal Fellows. These lawyers joined nonprofi t organizations throughout the state to assist underserved communities, causes and individuals, ranging from direct services groups to children’s rights organizations to the American Civil Liberties Union. In the fall of 2008, 31 Equal Justice Works Lawyers were working in legal services and advocacy organizations in California. An additional 58 law students served in the Equal Justice Works Summer Corps program in California, accounting for over 17 percent of the slots in the annual program.

Equal Justice Works/West is part of a strategy to strengthen existing programs and expand the reach of the organization’s efforts on the West Coast. The offi ce is still less than a year old but has seen great progress in supporting Equal Justice Works lawyers in California through training and coordination; providing programming for alumni, sponsors, law schools and host organizations; and overseeing the fellowship selection process for candidates on the West Coast.

Keeping Lawyers in the MovementSurveys of Equal Justice Works Fellows tell us that more than three out of four remain in public service following their fellowships. Many of them fi nd new streams of funding so that projects continue beyond the two-year duration of their fellowships, and others assume leadership roles in nonprofi t organizations.

The capacity to ensure a sustainable pipeline of talented and trained lawyers involved in public service is central to our mission of mobilizing the next generation of public interest law leaders.


To maintain the momentum, in the last year we began to re-engage program alumni in the ongoing work of the organization and initiated ongoing communications with more than 900 former program participants around the nation. Some alumni report that their fellowships were the single most important infl uence in their professional development – more signifi cant than even their law school experience – because it helped to launch their careers. In 2008, we began to enlist the support of alumni for the benefi t of current Fellows by engaging more alumni in training and resource development.

Reducing the Barriers to Public Service Equal Justice Works has been a leading advocate for the creation and expansion of loan repayment assistance programs on law school campuses. In the past year, we took a leadership role in educating students and their advisors on the provisions of the College Cost Reduction and Access Act.

The new law has changed the landscape around loan repayment assistance programs and represents a major breakthrough in coping with student debt. The result will be an increase in the number of students who can make public service a viable career option. We have dramatically increased our outreach work in this area and last fall began an outreach campaign to increase awareness of the income-based repayment and public service loan forgiveness provisions of the bill among law students and their advisors as well as public interest lawyers who may benefi t from the full implementation of the law in 2009. ++

Matters of Life and Health

Unequal access to basic care condemns low-

income people to unfair and unhealthy living

conditions, health disparities, and in some cases,

death. Cristina Dacchille works to bring about

systemic change in Massachusetts while helping

individual clients overcome medical and legal

challenges. One client, “Lara Gomez,” was born

with disabilities that required the use of a catheter

to empty her bladder. A misinformed advocate told

Lara’s parents that the family would be deported

if they sought health insurance, a common

misconception among immigrant populations. As

a result, Lara’s parents worked two jobs each to

pay for their daughter’s treatment, even resorting

to reusing catheters. Cristina provided the Gomez

family with accurate legal information about their

rights and their child’s right to health insurance.

Their fears assuaged, the Gomezes then authorized

Cristina to help Lara access the Children’s Medical

Security Plan to receive the medical supplies that

her condition required and that she deserved.

Pictured above are Equal Justice Works Fellows Cristina Dacchille, Neerav Kingsland, Leah Jensen, Katherine DeBriere and Gregory Pleasants.

“Do we believe as a people that all children deserve quality health care? I think so, and I work with immigrant families to ensure that they can access the care they need. When parents know their rights they can protect their children: adults’ understandable fear of deportation need not impact children’s health.”

Cristina DacchilleEqual Justice Works FellowMedical-Legal Partnership | BostonBoston, Massachusetts

72008 ANNUAL REPORT

Financial Position and ActivitiesYear ended June 30, 2008

Assets 2008 2007

Current Assets Cash and Cash Equivalents $1,165,589 $1,207,688 Grants and Pledges Receivable 3,138,358 2,724,356 Accrued Interest Receivable 33,486 30,203 Prepaid Expenses 150,971 99,133 Other Current Assets 4,991 –

Total Current Assets $4,493,395 $4,061,380

Investments 8,142,242 8,500,411

Property and Equipment, Net 182,727 224,460

Deposits 30,250 42,855

Total Assets $12,848,614 $12,829,106

Liabilities and Net Assets

Current Liabilities Accounts Payable & Accrued Expenses $222,894 $367,727 Accrued Salaries and Benefi ts 211,687 188,931 Refundable Advances and Sponsorships 1,007,500 845,847 Other Liabilities 182,238 204,709

Total Liabilities $1,624,319 $1,607,214

Net Assets Unrestricted: Undesignated $5,364,385 $4,790,862 Designated 1,593,223 2,559,177

Total Unrestricted 6,957,608 7,350,039

Temporarily Restricted 3,801,780 3,406,946 Permanently Restricted 464,907 464,907

Total Net Assets 11,224,295 11,221,892

Total Liabilities and Net Assets $12,848,614 $12,829,106

Revenue

Law Firms $2,682,907 $2,304,594 Bar Associations 397,500 331,500 Foundations 1,170,000 1,038,879 Corporations 276,000 268,045 Other Grants 1,686,633 1,500,000 Federal Grants 1,215,677 1,125,017 Annual Dinner and Events 1,837,083 1,695,405 Investment Income (315,954) 1,162,791 Membership and Dues 269,500 276,500 Individuals & Other Income 300,928 242,756

Total Revenues $9,520,274 $9,945,487

Expenses

Fellowships Program $4,881,421 $4,657,885 AmeriCorps Program 1,125,036 1,379,766 Katrina Project 495,026 635,901 Law School 884,969 864,178 Fundraising 850,280 947,554 Communications 366,488 251,197 Management and General 914,651 889,735

Total Expenses $9,517,871 $9,626,216

Addition to Net Assets $2,403 $319,271


The Chicago Bar FoundationJarrett Knox Legal Aid Bureau of Metropolitan Family ServicesNora Phillips Legal Assistance Foundation of

Metropolitan ChicagoRachel Shapiro Equip for Equality

CIGNA FoundationJessa Barnard Law Foundation of Silicon Valley

Contra Costa County Bar AssociationSamantha Sepehr John F. Kennedy University Elder Law Clinic

Crowell & Moring FoundationKaitlin Dunne ACLU of the National Capital AreaKathleen Laskey-Donovan D.C. Employment Justice Center

Davis Polk & WardwellHeidi Altman Neighborhood Defender Service of Harlem

Debevoise & Plimpton LLPSarah McMorris Marcello* Southeast Louisiana Legal Services

DLA PiperMichelle Mendez CASA of Maryland, Inc.Lea Weems Legal Assistance Foundation of Metropolitan Chicago

Family of Hyman EdelmanEmily Teplin Minnesota Disability Law Center

Bruce J. Ennis FoundationJeffrey Pearlman Public Knowledge

Fannie MaeMarie Bedford Legal Aid and Defender Association, Inc.Andrew Canter Mississippi Center for JusticeBethany Yue-Ping Li Asian American Legal Defense & Education FundMorgan Williams Greater New Orleans Fair Housing Action Center

Fenwick & West LLPGreta Hansen ACLU of Northern California

FJC, A Foundation of Donor Advised FundsEdward De Barbieri Urban Justice CenterGowri Krishna Urban Justice Center

The Florida BarChampagne Girten Legal Services of Greater Miami, Inc.Leisa Morrill-Wintz Coast to Coast Legal Aid of South FloridaAriel Patterson Jacksonville Area Legal Aid, Inc.

The Florida Bar FoundationMariam Ahmedani Gulfcoast Legal Services, Inc.Cristina Casabianca Legal Aid Service of Broward County, Inc.Sharon Caserta Jacksonville Area Legal Aid, Inc.Laura Chilcutt Florida Immigrant Advocacy CenterKelleen Corrigan Florida Immigrant Advocacy CenterKaty DeBriere Florida Institutional Legal ServicesChampagne Girten Legal Services of Greater Miami, Inc.Virginia Hamner Florida Institutional Legal ServicesSteckley L. Lee Florida Institutional Legal ServicesLeisa Morrill-Wintz Coast to Coast Legal Aid of South FloridaAriel Patterson Jacksonville Area Legal Aid, Inc.Kira Romero-Craft Legal Aid Society of the Orange County Bar

Association, Inc.

Each year, leading law fi rms, corporations and private foundations generously sponsor Equal Justice Works Fellows working across the country on the frontlines of public interest law in the areas of domestic violence, homelessness, community economic development, immigration, civil rights, juvenile justice, employment rights, access to health care, consumer fraud, environmental justice and other critical issues. Sponsors of Fellows working in the fi eld in 2008 included:

AIGLexie Kuznick Urban Justice CenterNicole Prenoveau Brooklyn Legal Services Corporation A

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLPKate Lincoln-Goldfi nch American GatewaysTheodore Roethke Asian Law CaucusCarolyn Seugling National Center for Refugee

and Immigrant ChildrenJessa Wilcox The Legal Aid Society

Arnold & Porter LLPTalia Inlender Public CounselNatalie Nanasi Tahirih Justice CenterCarmen Maria Rey Sanctuary for Families

Association of Corporate CounselNeerav Kingsland New Schools for New OrleansReilly Morse* Mississippi Center for Justice

Baker & McKenzieJackie Bliss Capital Area Immigrants’ Rights CoalitionSam Tepperman-Gelfant Public Advocates, Inc.

Bill Brockett Public Interest FellowshipTracye Walker Legal Aid of ArkansasKristin M. Wenstrom Innocence Project New Orleans

Bingham McCutchen LLPSharon Balmer Legal Aid Foundation of Los AngelesLinnea Forsythe Bay Area Legal AidEunice C. Lee ACLU Immigrants’ Rights ProjectAnjali Waikar ACLU of Massachusetts

Sponsors and Fellows

KEY

SponsorFellow Host Organization

*Katrina Legal Fellow, supported with a generous matching grant from the JEHT Foundation.


Greg Landis & Ann LoGerfoChorisia Folkman TeamChild

Latham & Watkins LLPElizabeth Fischer Neighborhood Defender Service of HarlemSilvana Naguib Equip for EqualitySummer Stech Legal Aid Society of San Diego, Inc.Ranie Thompson* Southeast Louisiana Legal Services

Leonard, Street and DeinardEmily Teplin Minnesota Disability Law Center

McDermott Will & EmeryRandi Levine Advocates for Children of New YorkLia Monahon Children’s Law Center of Massachusetts, Inc.Lori Turner Roger Baldwin Foundation of ACLU, Inc.

Mintz Levin Cohn Ferris Glovsky and Popeo P.C.Frances Yeatts* Mississippi Center for Legal Services

Morgan Miller BlairCassandra Lopez Centro Legal de la RazaNoah Zinner Bay Area Legal Aid

Morgan StanleyDavid Palmer New York Lawyers for the Public Interest

The Morrison & Foerster FoundationEmily Berger Alliance for Children’s RightsCourtney Bolin Nash Legal Aid Society of San Diego, Inc.Laura Daly Lawyers for ChildrenKristin Link Legal Services of Northern CaliforniaAlexis A. McLeod Public Law CenterJennifer Podkul Ayuda, Inc.Fiza Quraishi National Center for Youth LawClaire Ramsey Child Care Law CenterAlice Rosenthal Advocates for Children of New YorkHayley Upshaw Legal Services for Children

Munger, Tolles & Olson LLPRachel Kleinberg Public CounselSara Pezeshkpour Kunkel Housing Rights CenterMeliah Schultzman National Housing Law Project

Ohio Legal Assistance FoundationTomar Brown Legal Aid Society of ClevelandMaureen Foley Community Legal Aid ServicesElizabeth Grieser Ohio State Legal Services AssociationKristen Henry Equal Justice FoundationLeah Rachel Jensen Community Legal Aid ServicesEugenio Mollo Advocates for Basic Legal Equality, Inc.Andrew Neuhauser Advocates for Basic Legal Equality, Inc.Abigail Pound Pro Seniors, Inc.Katherine Rogers The Legal Aid Society of ColumbusAshley Saltzman The Legal Aid Society of ColumbusTracy Simmons The Legal Aid Society of ColumbusLaura Sminchak Ohio State Legal Services AssociationElizabeth Tull Legal Aid Society of Southwest OhioMelissa Will Ohio State Legal Services AssociationCaitlin Williams Community Refugee & Immigration Services, Inc.

Ford & Harrison LLPAisha C. Saeed Georgia State University College of Law

Greenberg Traurig, LLPMariam Ahmedani Gulfcoast Legal Services, Inc.Marissa Band Community Legal Aid Society, Inc.Heidi Boas Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of WashingtonSarah Bookbinder Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under LawRebecca Brink Health Law AdvocatesSharon Caserta Jacksonville Area Legal Aid, Inc.Dalia Castillo-Granados Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese

of GalvestonLaura Chilcutt Florida Immigrant Advocacy CenterJami Cornish Community Legal ServicesKelleen Corrigan Florida Immigrant Advocacy CenterRemy De La Peza Public CounselMarissa Dodson Georgia Justice ProjectAnya Emerson New York Legal Assistance GroupGlinnesa Gailliard Legal Aid Society of Northeastern

New York, Inc.Rachel Garland Community Legal Services of PhiladelphiaChampagne Girten Legal Services of Greater Miami, Inc.Adam M. Gordon Fair Share Housing Center, Inc.Crisanne Hazen Legal Advocates for Children and YouthDennis Hsieh Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles CountyVeena Iyer Legal Assistance Foundation of Metropolitan ChicagoIngrid Jean-Baptiste Support Center for Child AdvocatesJennifer Luczkowiak Law Foundation of Silicon ValleyAmy Mulzer The Legal Aid SocietyAmbika Panday Greater Boston Legal ServicesOlga Porven University of Miami School of LawAmy Reichbach ACLU of MassachusettsAmy Roehl MFY Legal Services, Inc.Kira Romero-Craft Legal Aid Society of the Orange County Bar

Association, Inc.Andrea Saenz Political Asylum/Immigration Representation

Project (PAIR)Candice Sirmon* Advocacy CenterMadison Sloan* Texas AppleseedMargaret Wakelin Equip for Equality

Incisive MediaMaria Hernandez South Jersey Legal Services, Inc.Tara Leaman Our Place, DCErin Shea McCann Columbia Legal Services

Jenner & Block LLPJessa Barnard Law Foundation of Silicon Valley

Kaye Scholer LLPElizabeth Tossell The Children’s Law Center

John S. and James L. Knight FoundationLaura Chilcutt Florida Immigrant Advocacy CenterDennis Hsieh Neighborhood Legal Services of

Los Angeles CountyLeah Rachel Jensen Community Legal Aid ServicesLaura Sminchak Ohio State Legal Services Association

Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLPEdward De Barbieri Urban Justice CenterGowri Krishna Urban Justice Center


AnonymousMonica Ashiku South Texas Pro Bono Asylum

Representation ProjectCary Brege Legal Aid of North CarolinaIngrid Brostrom Center on Race, Poverty and the EnvironmentSeok Choi Virginia Justice CenterAllison Guttu National Advocates for Pregnant WomenSarah Leberstein National Employment Law ProjectTiffany Mercado New Mexico Legal AidGregory Legare Pleasants Mental Health Advocacy Services, Inc.Catherine Sakimura National Center for Lesbian RightsAndrew Sta. Ana Sanctuary for FamiliesAnne Tamar-Mattis Institute for Intersex Children and the LawPhoebe Taubman A Better Balance: The Work and Family

Legal Center

Ohio State Bar Foundation Hurricane Katrina Legal Relief FundMaria Luisa Mercado* Lone Star Legal Aid

Pfi zer IncNicholas Carlisle Alabama Disabilities Advocacy ProgramCristina Dacchille Medical-Legal Partnership | BostonErica Pun Legal Aid of San Mateo CountyLaura Redman National Center for Law and Economic JusticeRosanna Roizin The Center for Family RepresentationKendra Thomas Advocacy, Inc.Jamie Xiong Central California Legal Services

Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLPSienna Baskin Urban Justice CenterAlexander Saingchin Asian American Legal Defense &

Education Fund

Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP FoundationKoert Wehberg New York Lawyers for the Public Interest

Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi L.L.P.Atlee Reilly Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services

Seattle University School of LawErin Shea McCann Columbia Legal Services

The Sher Family FoundationMargaret Kwoka Public Citizen Litigation Group

Sony Electronics Inc.Kriste Draper Children’s Advocacy Institute

Steptoe & Johnson LLPLynsay Gott World Organization for Human Rights USA

Friends & Family of Philip M. SternElizabeth Cumming Capital Appeals ProjectDerek Teaney Appalachian Center for the Economy and

the Environment

Sullivan & Cromwell LLPLexie Kuznick Urban Justice CenterVivian Lehrer Urban Justice CenterNicole Prenoveau Brooklyn Legal Services Corporation A

SutherlandRebeca Ellen Salmon Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese

of Atlanta, Inc.

Texas Access to Justice FoundationJessica Alas Montgomery County Women’s CenterHelena Coronado-Salazar Equal Justice Center, Inc.Ramey Ko Texas RioGrande Legal Aid, Inc.Jennifer Landau Diocesan Migrant and Refugee Services, Inc.Dustin Rynders Advocacy, Inc.David Sadegh Lone Star Legal AidCorinna Spencer-Scheurich Texas Civil Rights ProjectAmber VanSchuyver Texas RioGrande Legal Aid, Inc.Jacob Wedemeyer Texas RioGrande Legal Aid, Inc.Colleen Wisdom Advocacy, Inc.

The Westchester County Bar Foundation, Inc.Karen Tenenbaum Legal Services of the Hudson Valley

Open Society Institute

In 1997, with the support of a substantial

matching grant from the Open Society Institute,

the Fellowship Program was expanded to

encourage partnerships between law fi rms,

corporations and public interest organizations.

As a result, in 1998 Equal Justice Works

Fellowships became the nation’s largest

postgraduate legal fellowship program with

86 fellows. At the end of 2008, 108 Equal

Justice Works Fellows were providing essential

legal services to underserved individuals

and communities.

Sponsors and Fellows continued

KEY

SponsorFellow Host Organization

*Katrina Legal Fellow, supported with a generous matching grant from the JEHT Foundation.

112008 ANNUAL REPORT

Access to Justice Carrie HenrichsenDaniel Leon

Advocates for Basic Legal EqualityAnneliese GrytaJulia MartinLindsey RuschivalKatina Werner

Asian Pacifi c American Legal CenterLulu AmadorNam-Pho NguyenTheresa Tran

Houston Volunteer Lawyers ProgramDeyanira Silva

Legal Aid Foundation of Los AngelesGurdeep DhaliwalFernando Flores

Legal Aid Society of ColumbusEmily Smith

Legal Assistance of Western New YorkAlissa BaaderTahira BlandBethany HamiltonKelly McGovernNatalie Pincus

Louisiana Bar FoundationRebekah CaruthersCaroline JohnsonKathleen McNelisAmanda Rogers

Medical Legal Partnership for ChildrenSam Senft

Mississippi Center for JusticeChanda Roby

Mississippi Center for Legal ServicesCarole Tingle

Mississippi Volunteer Lawyers ProjectShalanda HudsonLeigh Ann Tingle

Montana Legal Services AssociationLori GradwellJoseph HardgraveTonya HerringJonathan MorganChuck Munson

Pro Bono Project –New OrleansRebecca AledortJulie Jochum

Public CounselBanafsheh AmirzadehMarisol HaroChristine Khalili-BornaAmrita MallikKris Peterson

Public Interest ClearinghouseSalena CopelandKelly Friscia O’BrienPhyra McCandlessYvette Saddik

Public Law CenterRebeca CanalesLeigh FerrinKristen LaraNeda Sargordan

Southeast Louisiana Legal ServicesAmanda FurstAmanda Golob

Three Rivers Legal ServicesPatricia AntonucciDeanna CoatesSummer GriggsCarolyn JonesDebra RosenbluthJorge TormesWhitney Untiedt

Volunteer Legal Services ProgramCormac KilgallenAllison StonePorcia Thurston

Summer Corps

In addition to the postgraduate legal fellowships, another partnership between

Equal Justice Works and AmeriCorps is Summer Corps. Each year we engage

350 law students at nonprofi t legal aid organizations where they spend a summer

serving underrepresented individuals, communities and causes.

Corporation for National and Community Service

In addition to private and foundation sponsors, since 2003 Equal Justice Works has partnered with AmeriCorps to improve access to justice by increasing the availability of pro bono legal services. The Equal Justice Works AmeriCorps Legal Fellows working in the fi eld in 2008 included:


$1,000,000 and aboveCorporation for National & Community ServiceJEHT FoundationOpen Society Institute

$500,000 – $999,999Greenberg Traurig, LLP

$250,000 – $499,999Fannie MaeThe Ford FoundationThe Morrison & Foerster FoundationOhio Legal Assistance FoundationTexas Access to Justice Foundation

$100,000 – $249,999AIGAkin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLPArnold & Porter FoundationArnold & Porter LLPBingham McCutchen LLP

DLA PiperThe Florida Bar FoundationIncisive MediaJohn S. and James L. Knight FoundationLatham & Watkins LLP

Microsoft CorporationPfi zer IncSullivan & Cromwell LLP

$50,000 – $99,999Association of Corporate CounselBaker & McKenzieCadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLPThe Chicago Bar FoundationCovington & Burling LLPDavis Polk & WardwellDebevoise & Plimpton LLPDewey & LeBoeuf LLPJenner & Block LLP

Kaye Scholer LLPKPMG LLPKramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLPMcDermott Will & EmeryMunger, Tolles & Olson LLPPaul, Weiss, Rifkind,

Wharton & Garrison LLPPillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP

Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP Foundation

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLPSkadden, Arps, Slate,

Meagher & Flom LLPSutherlandWeil, Gotshal & Manges LLPWilliams & Connolly LLP

$25,000 – $49,999Bill Brockett Public Interest FellowshipCahill Gordon & Reindel LLPCIGNA FoundationContra Costa County Bar AssociationCrowell & Moring FoundationCrowell & Moring LLPDanaher CorporationDuff & Phelps, LLCBruce J. Ennis FoundationFenwick & West LLPFidelity InvestmentsFish & Richardson P.C.The Florida Bar

Ford & Harrison LLPGeneral Electric CompanyHeller Ehrman LLPK&L GatesKirkland & Ellis LLPMayer Brown LLPMorgan Miller BlairOhio State Bar Foundation Hurricane

Katrina Legal Relief FundQuinn Emanuel Urquhart

Oliver & Hedges, LLPReed Smith LLPRobins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi L.L.P.

Sara Lee CorporationSeattle University School of LawSidley Austin LLPSonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal LLPSteptoe & Johnson LLPWachtell, Lipton, Rosen & KatzThe Walt Disney CompanyThe Westchester County Bar

Foundation, Inc.WilmerHaleWinston & Strawn LLP

National Justice PartnersNational Justice Partners is a valuable network of donors that support Equal Justice Works events with a generous gift of at least $50,000 annually.

AIGAkin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLPDLA PiperGreenberg Traurig, LLPIncisive MediaKPMG

Pfi zer IncSkadden, Arps, Slate,

Meagher & Flom LLPSullivan & Cromwell LLP

Institutional SupportersEqual Justice Works acknowledges the generosity of the following institutions that made pledges or contributions totaling $2,500 or more during the period July 1, 2007, through December 31, 2008.


$10,000 – $24,999Alston & Bird LLPAltria Group, Inc.Amin, Turocy & Calvin, LLPBoies, Schiller & Flexner LLPCooley Godward Kronish LLPCravath, Swaine & Moore LLPCuneo Gilbert & LaDuca, L.L.P.Davis Wright Tremaine LLPDeutsche Bank AmericasDickstein Shapiro LLPThe Feinberg Group, LLPFJC, A Foundation of Donor Advised FundsFried, Frank, Harris,

Shriver & Jacobson LLPGeneral Mills, Inc.Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLPGilbert Oshinsky LLPHewlett-Packard CompanyHIRECounsel

Holland & Knight LLPHowrey LLPIntel CorporationInternational Paper CompanyIvins, Phillips & BarkerJackson Lewis LLPJohnson & JohnsonKilpatrick Stockton LLPKing & Spalding LLPLeonard, Street and DeinardLexisNexis® Martindale-Hubbell®

Littler Mendelson, P.C.Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy LLPMintz Levin Cohn Ferris Glovsky

and Popeo P.C.Montgomery, McCracken, Walker

& Rhoads, LLPMorgan StanleyMorgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP

Morris, Nichols, Arsht & Tunnell LLPNavigant Consulting, Inc.Nixon Peabody LLPO’Melveny & Myers LLPPaul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLPProskauer Rose LLPSchering-Plough CorporationSheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLPShook, Hardy & Bacon L.L.P.Southern CompanyTroutman Sanders LLPUPSVinson & Elkins L.L.P.Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLPWilson, Elser, Moskowitz, Edelman

& Dicker LLPWomble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, PLLCWorkman Nydegger

$5,000 – $9,999Baker Botts L.L.P.Beveridge & Diamond, P.C.Blank Rome LLPCabaniss, Johnson, Gardner,

Dumas & O’Neal LLPCIGNA CorporationCisco Systems Inc.Clifford Chance US LLPThe Clorox Company

Freddie MacFreshfi elds Bruckhaus Deringer LLPGoldman, Sachs & Co.Hogan & Hartson LLPThe Home DepotHunton & Williams LLPIrwin Fritchie Urquhart & Moore LLCMehri & Skalet, PLLCMitratech Holdings, Inc.

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLPPEPCOPublic Welfare FoundationRopes & Gray LLPThe Sturdevant Law FirmSusman Godfrey LLPTIAA-CREFWhite & Case LLP

$2,500 – $4,999Arent Fox PLLCBondurant Mixson & Elmore, LLPBoston Trust & Investment

Management CompanyThe Coca-Cola CompanyGirardi & Keese

Jones DayKlarquist Sparkman, LLPLevick Strategic CommunicationsMilberg LLPPerkins Coie LLPRiddell Williams PS

RK AutoSocha, Perczak, Setter & Anderson, P.C.Tucker Ellis & WestWoodcock Washburn

Cy Pres AwardsWe are grateful to the following individuals and fi rms that provided cy pres awards to Equal Justice Works in 2007 and 2008 to support our work in public interest.

Equal Justice Works is grateful for every gift and fortunate to have a broad base of institutional supporters that are too numerous to list in the space available. We make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our donor lists. Please bring any omissions or errors to our attention.

Mark Chavez Chavez & Gertler LLP

Reed R. Kathrein Hagens Berman Sobol & Shapiro LLPformerly with Coughlin Stoia Geller Rudman & Robbins LLP

Michael D. Mulvaney Maynard Cooper & Gale PC

Keith F. Park Coughlin Stoia Geller Rudman & Robbins LLP


Individual SupportersEqual Justice Works acknowledges the generosity of the following individuals who made pledges or contributions totaling $500 or more during the period July 1, 2007, through December 31, 2008.

$100,000 and aboveAnonymous

$50,000 – $99,999Anonymous

$10,000 – $24,999AnonymousMary Rose Alexander & Timothy J. GilfoyleCesar L. AlvarezJudith AreenDavid M. BrodskyJohn P. “Sean” Coffey

Eldon H. “Took” CrowellFamily of Hyman EdelmanThe Honorable Sven Erik HolmesIrene McPhailDonn P. PickettAllen and Linda Saeks Family Foundation

Amy W. SchulmanDavid Stern & Tracey HughesHelen B. SternBeth A. Wilkinson & David Gregory

$25,000 – $49,999Marc GaryJames L. & Eleanor D. Henderson IIIAnastasia D. Kelly

Kim KoopersmithEstate of Robert H. PreiskelThe Sher Family Foundation

Friends & Family of Philip M. SternAllen P. Waxman

$5,000 – $9,999Katherine Borsecnik & Gene WeilMark ChandlerStephen A. Cozen

Pamela B. Gilbert & Charles R.E. Lewis IIIEric S. Koenig & Amy SchwartzCarol Ann Petren

Marc M. SeltzerJames C. Sturdevant

$2,500 – $4,999David R. & Rozan M. AndrewsPeter M. & Lucy AscoliBenjamin G. EdelmanDaniel B. & Toby S. EdelmanPeter B. & Marian Wright Edelman

David & Resa EpplerJamie S. Gorelick & Richard E. WaldhornThomas A. GottschalkSusan J. Hackett & Richard E. HagertyBenjamin W. Heineman Jr.

Greg Landis & Ann LoGerfoWilliam H. PrattLaura Stein

$1,000 – $2,499Eugene AssafEleanor BanisterMartha Bergmark & Elliott AndalmanAllen D. BlackJohn Boland & James CarrollDonald A. & Ann W. BrownRussell J. BruemmerMonique Korn BucklesMichael G. & Linda S. Caudell-FeaganCait ClarkeMr. & Mrs. F. David ClarkeKeith S. & Elizabeth Parker CrowJohn W. DyessMichael J. Egan IIIKevin EvanichMarcia FeolaMarc L. Fleischaker

Brian E. & Marcy FroshBarry GoldsteinJeff GraddyEric H. Holder Jr.Paul & Louann IgasakiMichael D. JonesDeborah R. JospinAnn M. KapplerTom KornbluhRachel Kronowitz & Mark LewisKaren LashDaryl A. LibowSacha LindekensPaul J. MurphyLawrence S. Ottinger

& Cinthia H. SchumanWilliam J. Perlstein

Stephen & Ruth PollakSteve RumeryCatherine SamuelsDena SherEmily J. SpitzerHenry D. & Paula L. SternThomas A. TroyerMark TushnetBarbara A. UhlerThe Honorable Patricia M. Wald

& Robert L. WaldScott WallaceThe Honorable Ann Claire WilliamsMark & Alicia WittinkJeffrey D. & Mary M. ZientsAndrew T. Zovko

$500 – $999Michael G. AllenDonald BaerJanell Byrd-ChichesterMartha M. ErtmanDiane Fuchs & Ron SimonCaitlin HalliganFrank HolozubiecDonald G. Kempf Jr.

Carolyn N. Lerner & Dwight P. BostwickSeth D. LevyDeborah LewisMarjorie LindblomAbbe David LowellDaniel K. MayersAlan MorrisonJames M. & Virginia W. Newmyer

Joseph & Margot OnekHoward PearlMichael A. RothenbergStephen SchaetzelRichard A. SchneiderDaniel L. and Lisbeth B. SchorrWayne A. SchraderSusan P. Willens

Equal Justice Works is grateful for every gift and fortunate to have a broad base of individual supporters who are too numerous to list in the space available. We make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our donor lists. Please bring any omissions or errors to our attention.


Anastasia D. Kelly, Chair AIG, New York, NYAllen P. Waxman, Vice Chair Kaye Scholer LLP, New York, NYPamela B. Gilbert, Secretary Cuneo Gilbert & LaDuca, LLP, Washington, DCCesar L. Alvarez, Treasurer Greenberg Traurig, LLP, Miami, FLSabrina Andrus Seattle University Law School ‘08, Washington, DCRamon P. Arias Bay Area Legal Aid, Oakland, CAMartha Bergmark Mississippi Center for Justice, Jackson, MSDavid M. Brodsky Latham & Watkins LLP, New York, NYKathleen Clyde The Ohio State University, Michael E. Moritz College of Law ‘08,

Colombus, OHMarc Gary Fidelity Investments, Boston, MAJames L. Henderson III Sutherland, Atlanta, GAThe Honorable Sven E. Holmes KPMG LLP, New York, NYMandy Hu New York University School of Law ‘08, Brooklyn, NYKim Koopersmith Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP, New York, NYLarry D. Kramer Stanford Law School, Stanford, CACarol Ann Petren CIGNA Corporation, Philadelphia, PADonn P. Pickett Bingham McCutchen LLP, San Francisco, CAAmy W. Schulman Pfi zer Inc, New York, NYMarc M. Seltzer Susman Godfrey LLP, Los Angeles, CALaura Stein The Clorox Company, Oakland, CAJames C. Sturdevant The Sturdevant Law Firm, San Francisco, CAJessica Sutton Boston University School of Law ‘09, Brooklyn, NYThe Honorable David S. Tatel Washington, DCStacy Tolos Emory School of Law ‘10, Atlanta, GAGerald Torres The University of Texas School of Law, Austin, TXBeth A. Wilkinson Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, Washington, DCThe Honorable Ann Claire Williams U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit, Chicago, ILMorgan Williams Tulane University School of Law ‘07, New Orleans, LA

Sabrina Andrus Class of 2008, Seattle University School of Law, Seattle, WAMalissa Barnwell-Scott Student Programs Advisor, Offi ce of Public Service,

University of Southern California Law School, Los Angeles, CALaurie Barron Director, Feinstein Institute for Legal Service, Roger Williams University

School of Law, Bristol, RIKathleen Clyde Class of 2008, The Ohio State University – Michael E. Moritz College

of Law, Columbus, OHSusan Feathers Executive Director of the John and Terry Levin Center for

Public Service and Public Interest Law, Stanford Law School, Stanford, CAAnnie Goldman Career Counselor, Tulane University School of Law, New Orleans, LATaylor Healy Class of 2010, Villanova University School of Law, Bryn Mawr, PAShijuade Kadree Class of 2010, Emory University School of Law, Atlanta, GAAliza Kaplan Instructor of Law, Brooklyn Law School, Brooklyn, NYBridget Kenadjian Assistant Director of Career and Professional Development, William Mitchell

College of Law, St Paul, MNMarni Lennon Assistant Dean of Students, University of Miami School of Law, Miami, FLTimothy Little Former AmeriCorps Attorney, University of Montana School of Law, Missoula, MTRuth Lopez Class of 2009, Chicago-Kent College of Law, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, ILTim McNutt Class of 2010, California Western School of Law, San Diego, CACaroline Richardson Class of 2009, Indiana University School of Law – Indianapolis, Indianapolis, INLeslie Ross Class of 2009, Phoenix School of Law, Phoenix, AZEzra Rosser Assistant Professor, American University, Washington College of Law, Washington, DCRobert Salem Clinical Professor of Law, University of Toledo College of Law, Toledo, OHCristen Sargent Class of 2008, Washington University in St. Louis School of Law, St. Louis, MODaniel Zeno Class of 2009, University of Iowa College of Law, Iowa City, IA

Board of Directors

National Advisory Committee


ExecutiveDavid Stern Chief Executive Offi cer Paul Igasaki Deputy Chief Executive Offi cerPatrick Sanders Special Assistant to the Chief Executive Offi cer Yvonne Wynn Executive Assistant to Deputy Chief Executive Offi cer

Equal Justice Works/WestDiane T. Chin Director

ProgramsLaw School Advocacy and OutreachKashyap Choksi Director, Law School Advocacy and OutreachNada El-Eryan Member Services Coordinator, Law School Advocacy and OutreachCharlene Gomes Senior Program Manager, Law School Advocacy and OutreachEricka Hines Program Manager, Training and EvaluationHeather Jarvis Senior Program Manager, Law School Advocacy and OutreachTaryn Myers Program Coordinator, Law School Advocacy and Outreach

Public Interest Law OpportunitiesCait Clarke Director, Public Interest Law Opportunities Martin Costello Program Manager, AmeriCorpsEric Harsch Program Assistant, AmeriCorpsColeman McMahon Senior Program Manager, AmeriCorpsJennifer Tschirch Senior Program Manager, FellowshipsImoni Washington Senior Program Manager, FellowshipsCarlyn Zaugg Program Assistant, Fellowships

DevelopmentAndy Zovko Director of Development Martha Bond Regional Director of DevelopmentSarah Brooks Development ManagerBeth Fung Senior Grants ManagerJuliet Kline Development AssistantDanny Reed Regional Director of DevelopmentPharelda Scott Development AssistantSarah Snik Individual Giving Manager

OperationsAmin Kakeh ComptrollerTodd Peterson Senior Manager of TechnologyDiana Sun Staff AccountantReal Thornton Senior Administrative Manager

CommunicationsJames Carroll Director of CommunicationsSarah Mahoney Communications SpecialistAaron Pickering Communications Specialist

Staff

Equal Justice Works’ annual report is printed on Mohawk Options 100% PC paper made from 100% post-consumer waste and processed elemental chlorine-free; it also is certifi ed by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). We saved: 11 fully grown trees; 4,404 gallons of water; 7.3 million BTUs of energy; 487 pounds of solid waste and 959 pounds of greenhouse gases. Calculations are based on research done by Mohawk Paper Mills, Inc.

Each year Equal Justice Works Lawyers collaborate with thousands of

individuals and organizations in local communities around the nation.

Many of them create new streams of funding so that projects continue

beyond the two years of their fellowships. Others assume leadership

roles in nonprofi t organizations. The exponential impact of these

Fellows and of all of our programs helps to ensure a sustainable

pipeline of lawyers engaged in public service.

On the Web

Our map represents Law School Members, Summer Corps Participants,

AmeriCorps Legal Fellows and Equal Justice Works Fellows in 2008.

Visit us online at www.equaljusticeworks.org to access an interactive

illustration with details on our activities in each state.

Equal Justice Works Across America

We believe that the poorest

and most vulnerable among us

deserve the same access to

justice and quality legal representation

as more fortunate citizens.

We offer a continuum of opportunity

to law students and lawyers –

we’re helping lawyers

help community.

2120 L Street, NW, Suite 450 Washington, DC 20037-1541 Phone 202.466.3686www.equaljusticeworks.org

Documents

Renewed Commitments to the Promise of Equal Justice