Thank you to everyone who joined us for an evening to remember! The Justice & Diversity Center’s (JDC) annual Gala, now in its 16th year, is an opportunity for the San Francisco legal community to gather and celebrate the collective impact of more than 1,500 volunteer and staff attorneys who provide legal services, advocacy, and support that more than 9,000 people in San Francisco rely on each year.
This year’s JDC Gala continued the tradition of celebrating JDC’s impact and sharing inspiration through client and student stories. For the first time, this annual celebration took place virtually, on September 16.
Watch the program below, or scroll down to see videos of our inspiring program spotlight speakers, virtual experiences, and roundtable discussions.
Support JDC
Text JDCGALA to 41444
followed by the amount you wish to donate
and your name (or short message).
Program Spotlight Speakers
Wendy Hernandez
Wendy Hernandez, a 2018 recipient of JDC's Bay Area Minority Law Student Scholarship, earned her law degree from UC Hastings, mid-pandemic in May 2020. A first-generation student, Hernandez earned her bachelor’s degree from UC Berkeley. She is currently studying for the California bar exam. Wendy will share her story at the Gala.
Timothy James
Timothy James is a former teacher who sought justice and a safe learning environment at his school. With persistence and help from JDC's Federal Pro Bono Project, his case brought about significant changes in the special education department to support students and teachers. Hear from Timothy at the Gala.
Talent and Entertainment
Cooking Demonstration with Chef Mitchell Rosenthal
Mixology with
Rebecca Pinnell
Art in Action experience with Bay Area Aerosol Art Legend Crayone
Performance by Attractive Nuisance, with musicians from Baker Botts, Greenberg Traurig, K&L Gates, and Perkins Coie
Live DJ session with
D Sharp
Live Virtual Roundtable discussions
Sports through the Lens of Covid-19 and Social Justice
Roundtable panelists include:
- David Kelly, Golden State Warriors
- Jack Bair, San Francisco Giants
- Hannah Gordon, San Francisco 49ers
Moderated by Matt Valdez, San Francisco Giants
Corporations and Social Responsibility
Roundtable panelists include:
- Albert Sanders, Google
- Ann Staggs, Airbnb
- Adam Kaplan, Intel
- Marie Ma, Gap, Inc.
Moderated by Kelly Matayoshi, Farella Braun + Martel
Stepping Up for Justice and Being a Good Ally
Roundtable panelists include:
- Kelly Dermody, Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein
- Judge Laurel Beeler, U.S. District Court, Northern District of California
- Monica Oca Howell, Justice & Diversity Center
- Eric Tate, Morrison & Foerster
Moderated by Catherine Ongiri, Judicial Council
A special thank you to our sponsors
Platinum Sponsors
Silver Sponsors
Bronze Sponsors
Pewter Sponsors
Pearl Sponsors
Diamond Sponsors
Opal Sponsors
