The Justice & Diversity Center 2025 Impact Report

The Justice & Diversity Center (JDC) advances fairness and equality by providing pro bono legal services to low-income people and educational programs that foster diversity in the legal profession.

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A Welcome From Our Executive Director and Board President

Picture a mother sitting in an immigration courtroom, heart pounding, eyes fixed on the door, praying she will return to her children and not end her day in ICE detention. Picture a woman who longs for safety but feels trapped by the walls of abuse that surround her, uncertain where to turn or who will believe her. Picture a young man, the first in his family to go to college, burning with a desire to make a difference in the world, yet finding every door into the legal profession frustratingly narrow.

These are the people who walked through our doors in 2025.

The legal system can be overwhelming for those who are under-resourced, frightened, and navigating it alone. In 2025, the need for legal services in our community grew sharper as local budget cuts threatened some of the very programs designed to meet that need.

JDC faced those challenges head-on and continued to do our work, and to do it well. Our attorneys and volunteers showed up in housing courts, immigration hearings, and family law proceedings. We deepened our partnerships with other legal services nonprofits and found new and creative pathways to bring legal help directly to the people who needed it most. None of this could have happened without YOU.

Your support, your generosity, and your belief in this work, is what makes it possible for a mother to go home to her children, for a domestic violence victim to find safety, and for a young man to find his pathway towards a legal career.

As our nation marks the 250th anniversary of our founding, we are called to recommit to the promise of liberty and justice for all. That phrase is not a relic. It is a charge. And at JDC, we take it seriously every day.

The impact report that follows is a testament to what happens when a community decides that justice is worth fighting for. It is a record of resilience, dedication, and real impact, made possible by people like you.

If you believe, as we do, that every person deserves high-quality legal representation regardless of their income or circumstance, we invite you to continue this journey with us. Please consider making a gift today. Your support allows us to continue meeting our community where it is and to keep showing up when it matters most.

Yolanda Jackson

Executive Director and General Counsel,
BASF & JDC

Peggy Otum

2026 Board President,
BASF & JDC

The Justice & Diversity Center's Programs

We reach these goals through four programs that empower and advocate for thousands of people a year in San Francisco. Meet our Program Directors below.

Katie Danielson

Director and Managing Attorney, Homeless Advocacy Project

Milli Atkinson

Director, Immigrant Legal Defense Program

Pro Bono
Legal Services

Antonia More

Director and Managing Attorney, Pro Bono Legal Services Programs

Educational
Programs

Kerry Guido

Director of Educational Programs

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The Homeless Advocacy Project

The Homeless Advocacy Project (HAP) provides legal and supporting social services to individuals and families who are homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness, focusing on the most vulnerable individuals and families in our local community. We partner with organizations and agencies across the city to ensure everyone we connect with receives the support they need.

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CARE Court

CARE Court was created by a new state law that allows family members, first responders and others to file petitions seeking services for persons who have schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders. In October of 2023, San Francisco became one of the first counties in the state to implement CARE Court. HAP was awarded funding by the California State Bar to represent Respondents in CARE Court.

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HAP Immigration

HAP provides immigration services for immigrants experiencing or at risk of homelessness, such as applying for citizenship, visas, asylum, or adjustment of status, or renewing work permits.

Consultations

Work authorizations

Consultations

Work authorizations

Consultations

Work authorizations

Green card applications

Citizen applications

Green card applications

Citizen applications

Cases

Work authorizations

Green card applications

Citizenship applications

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Beyond Benefits

Mr. J came to HAP requesting benefits advocacy after SSA failed to put him back into pay after he complied with their requests, twice. As a result of SSA's lack of knowledge/procedure, Mr. J's social security retirement benefits and his Medicare were stopped.

By the time Mr. J got to HAP, he had no money and used his last $70 to pay for three (3) pills to manage his ongoing conditions. He was offered to buy 1 bottle of his medication for $1600, which he was unable to afford, he went without his medications for some time which could have gravely impacted his health.

HAP Advocates worked together as a team with other HAP departments to find a solution for Mr. J to get his cash and Medicare benefits reinstated. HAP Advocates identified the issue preventing Mr. J's medications from being refilled and collecting his cash benefits. HAP Director of Immigration wrote a letter to SSA on behalf of Mr. J to explain his lawful status in the US and the specific exceptions this client has due to their country of origin, that many SSA employees are unaware of. By the following Monday, Mr. J's social security benefits had been restored and he was able to get his medications refilled. Due to constant changes in Immigration regulations, Mr. J was subsequently unable to continue receiving SSA benefits, but HAP was able to transition him to CAPI benefits.

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Immigrant Legal Defense Program

The Immigrant Legal Defense Program (ILDP) increases access to justice and protects the due process rights of low-income and unrepresented immigrants facing deportation.

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San Francisco Immigrant Legal Defense Collaborative

ILDP helps build legal capacity as the legal lead of The San Francisco Immigrant Legal Defense Collaborative (SFILDC), a collective of 16 San Francisco organizations that provide free, high-quality, culturally competent legal services to adults, children, and families in removal proceedings. This means Northern California agencies are better coordinated and equipped to defend individuals in deportation proceedings in the San Francisco Immigration Court.

Individuals provided full scope representation before Immigration Court since 2015

Applications filed for Asylum related forms of relief

Different countries were represented

Success rate in completed cases

Individuals provided full scope representation before Immigration Court since 2015

Applications filed for Asylum related forms of relief

Different countries represented

Success rate in completed cases

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Attorney of the Day Program

Attorneys of the Day (AODs) are experienced immigration lawyers who appear at the San Francisco Immigration Court to assist unrepresented respondents in their initial deportation proceedings. The AOD Program partnered with Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights, Fenwick and West, PG&E, Asian Law Alliance and the SF Office of Civic Engagement and Immigrant Affairs to host 5 legal clinics in 2025. A total of 72 respondents were served at these clinics, that have proven critical to ensuring that asylum seekers receive adequate time to secure full scope legal representation, qualify for employment authorization and protect their due process rights in immigration court.

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How an Asylum Seeker Reclaimed Her Future

In the fall of 2025, Nina, an asylum seeker was caught up in the courthouse arrest scheme the government was pursuing. She was attending her regularly scheduled court hearing when the government suddenly moved to dismiss her case. Although the judge provided time for a written response, prior experience with this scheme made clear that she would likely be detained by ICE as soon as she left the courtroom.

Attorneys present that day spoke with Nina in advance, preparing her for the possibility of arrest and advising her of her rights prior to exiting. They also discussed the possibility of filing a habeas petition, though time was limited. As anticipated, Nina was detained by ICE and never left the building.

Following her detention, legal advocates met with her to confirm that she wanted assistance with a habeas petition and connected with a family member who had been waiting outside the building.

Within the following week, a habeas petition was filed challenging her unlawful detention. Through briefing and a hearing, preliminary relief was granted, and Nina was released back to her family. The petition has been fully briefed and remains pending adjudication.

Since Nina's release, she has been reunited with her family and has been able to apply for asylum again.

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Pro Bono Legal Services

Each year, our staff and more than 2,000 volunteers assist 6,000 clients with legal consultation and representation in nearly every area of civil law.

In 2025, we received pro bono contributions valued at $43,374,398.

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Community Organization
Representation Project

Since 1996, the Community Organization Representation Project (CORP) has provided pro bono assistance to existing nonprofit organizations, and organizations seeking nonprofit status, that provide direct services to low-income and underserved Northern Californians. We assist these organizations, which do not have sufficient funds to pay attorneys with transactional issues of any kind, including: nonprofit formation, employment law, corporate governance and structuring, commercial leases, reinstatement with IRS, risk management, intellectual property and business contract issues.

Diverse nonprofit clients with legal challenges assisted

Diverse nonprofit clients with legal challenges were assisted

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The Civil Appellate Self-Help Workshop

The Civil Appellate Self-Help Workshop for the First District (CASHW-First) provides free monthly workshops for self-represented litigants with civil matters heard before the California Courts of Appeal. CASHW-First offers education and information about the appellate process through a PowerPoint presentation and 1:1 consultations with experienced appellate attorneys.

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Family Law Project

The Family Law Project (FLP) assists low-income individuals and families with family law and related probate matters including divorce, legal separation, nullity, parentage, domestic abuse, guardianship, and conservatorship cases. JDC collaborates with the Cooperative Restraining Order Clinic, WOMAN Inc, and the Superior Court of San Francisco to form a continuum of trauma-informed care, from restraining order advocacy to personal safety planning to holistic legal representation.

Family Law cases

Domestic violence survivors assisted

Survivors obtained protection from abuse or neglect; survivors also secured or preserved custody of their children

Survivors obtained, preserved or increased their visitation rights

Family law cases

Individuals provided self-help services

Domestic violence survivors assisted

Survivors obtained protection from abuse or neglect; survivors also secured or preserved custody of their children

Domestic violence survivors assisted

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Federal Pro Bono Project

The Federal Pro Bono Project (FedPro) provides limited-scope legal advice to pro se civil litigants via its Legal Help Centers located within the Oakland and San Francisco offices of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. FedPro also facilitates placement of civil cases with pro bono attorneys for limited or full-scope representation when the court orders the appointment of counsel.

Clients received legal assistance

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Low Income Taxpayer Clinic

Our Low Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC) assists low-income taxpayers who have disputes with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). This includes taxpayers in pre-litigation controversy with the IRS, individuals who have filed petitions with the U.S. Tax Court, and individuals who need help in obtaining other relief for a tax obligation.

Clients served

Consultations provided

Hours of service provided by volunteers

$0k

Liability reduced/benefits won

New representation cases were handled

Consultations were provided

Individuals attended 7 clinics

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Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) Project

The Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) Project supports immigrant children in securing SIJ findings through the San Francisco Superior Court, which are legal determinations that the child has been abused, neglected, or abandoned and cannot safely return to their home country. With these findings, the children can then apply for SIJ status with assistance from JDC’s Immigration Program, beginning their path toward lawful permanent residency.

The SIJ Project assists immigrant children to obtain SIJ findings in the San Francisco Superior Court. With these findings, the children then apply for SIJ Status with the help of JDC’s Immigration program, which sets them on the path to legal, permanent residency.

New representation cases were handled

Consultations were provided

Individuals attended 7 clinics

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A Childhood Restored

Julietta, a young girl from Ecuador, fled to San Francisco in search of safety after enduring severe hardship. Growing up in extreme poverty, she began working in a market at just eight years old. At home, she faced ongoing abuse from her alcoholic father and emotional neglect from her mother, who blamed her for the family’s financial strain. Often left alone, Julietta learned to fend for herself, navigating daily threats from bullies and predators. Eventually, both parents abandoned her.

Determined to find a safer life, Julietta made her way to San Francisco, where a maternal aunt took her in and connected her with JDC. With the support of a JDC volunteer attorney, Julietta successfully obtained Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) findings and a guardianship order in San Francisco Superior Court—providing her with critical stability. She is now living safely with her guardian, attending school, and thriving while awaiting a decision on her SIJ petition filed with USCIS.

Her case also reflects the ripple effect of pro bono service: inspired by his experience, her attorney immediately took on a second SIJ case and continues to advocate for another child in need.

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Educational Programs

Our educational programs help students succeed and explore their interest in a career in the law. From high school to law school, our programs break down barriers, build confidence, and show that the legal profession is for everyone.

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Educational Programs

of School-to-College graduates are first-generation college students

of School-to-College participants graduated high school

Students participated in our School-to-College program

of graduates were accepted into college

School-to-College graduates were first-generation college students

of School-to-College participants graduated high school

Students participated in our School-to-College program

of graduates were accepted into college

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Malia Bow’s Story
School of the Arts, 2014
Northeastern University 2018

"I often joke that I peaked in high school, but participating in [JDC's] mock trial from 10th to 12th grade definitely inspired confidence in myself, especially once I found my groove as a pre-trial attorney. The rush of feeling conviction in my argument. The thrill of sensing that I was able to persuade the judge. The pride in thinking on my feet and making my point undeniably clear. I reveled in these emotions and even proclaimed my intentions to become a lawyer in a personal statement for a college application!

But I realized that being a lawyer isn’t just about the courtroom highs, so I didn’t pursue a career in law until my last semester of college when I interned at a law firm. I found the work (and the perks) intriguing, and mock trial had already sparked my passion for courtroom litigation. So, after two years of being a transactional paralegal (no courtroom arguing), I applied to law school knowing without a doubt that I wanted to practice litigation.

In my first year of law school, mock trial and moot court reignited my passion for litigation. Advocacy skills I developed six years prior— rhetoric, research, logic and creative thinking—were instrumental in securing my place as finalist and semi-finalist in competitions against brilliant peers and formidable upperclassmen!

Now, I’m a juvenile dependency attorney in San Francisco, representing parents and children impacted by the child welfare system. At least once a week, I argue before a judge in the very same courthouse of my first mock trial competition. Even more rewarding has been coaching the current mock trial team of my high school alma mater for the past two years.

It’s evident that high school mock trial has been influential in my life, and it helps that I had an exceptional coach with whom I get to coach alongside today. But even if I never became a lawyer, mock trial taught me a way to advocate for myself and others that can’t be taken away. I hope my students, and all mock trial students, can reap that invaluable benefit, too."

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Meet the People We Serve

Thank You to Our 2025 Donors

Thank you to all our donors who supported the work of the Justice & Diversity Center in 2025.

You provided high-quality legal help for thousands of the most vulnerable in our community going through the most difficult challenges of their lives.

You helped keep people in their homes, supported people escaping persecution and violence to find asylum, solved complex legal issues that can derail lives, and created pathways for the next generation of legal professionals to thrive.

Your donations made this work possible. We are deeply grateful to all who supported our work in 2025. We give a special acknowledgement to the major donors listed below, who generously gave permission to be publicly recognized. We also extend our heartfelt thanks to those who contributed anonymously or chose not to be listed.

Thank you!

Top Pro Bono Partners

The top pro bono partners are recognized as the most outstanding volunteers, selected based on the specific criteria established by each project.

A. Marisa Chun • Rebecca Kutlow • Atrina Mehdipour • Yasmine Mehmet • Pacific Gas & Electric Company • Mark Roelke • Sue Anna Yeh • Venable Vargas Trial Team

Major Individual Donors Contributing $5,000+

David Balabanian • Elizabeth Cabraser • David Carrillo • Mark Conrad • Charles Jung • Mr. and Mrs. Kadifa • Colin Kemp • Lata Krishnan • Lindsay Llewellyn • Barbara Lyons • Mary McNamara • Lindsey Mignano • Peggy Otum • Steven Taylor • Erica Villanueva • Colin West • Spencer Wilson

JDC Gala Sponsors and Major Organization Donors Contributing $10,000+

Arnold & Porter • Arthur & Charlotte Zitrin Foundation • Audet & Partners • Coblentz Patch Duffy & Bass • Cooley • Covington & Burling
Davis Wright Tremaine • Keker, Van Nest & Peters • Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton • Morgan Lewis • Morrison & Foerster • Munger, Tolles & Olson
Nassiri & Jung • O'Melveny & Myers • Orrick • PG&E Corporation • Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman • Sheppard Mullin
Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati Foundation

If you’d like to make a gift, email JDC's Development Director Kate Applebaum at kapplebaum@sfbar.org or donate at the link below.

Donate Now

The Justice & Diversity Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and contributions are tax-deductible.