Annual Report FY23
OUR MISSION
Advance the rights of under-represented individuals and families in our diverse community through legal services, strategic advocacy, and educational outreach
OUR VISION
To achieve social justice in Silicon Valley and beyond through vigorous legal advocacy
Our focus remains steadfast on dismantling systems that disproportionately affect those most harmed by systemic racism—communities of color, immigrants, and low-income people.
As we reflect on the past year, the Law Foundation of Silicon Valley is thrilled to share the transformative impact achieved through your continued support.
For nearly 50 years, the Law Foundation’s committed team of lawyers, advocates, and social workers have ardently provided free legal services, strategic outreach, and educational advocacy to our low-income neighbors and communities of color. Our experienced staff has used the law as a tool to fight for the critical needs of our clients such as housing stability, mental health access, and the protection of children's rights—this last year was no different.
During the pandemic, we stood side by side with our community to ensure families could retain safe housing and access life-saving services. Now, as emergency government protections and funding draw to a close, the needs of our low-income neighbors and communities of color persist.
We continue to evolve to serve our community better, working in innovative ways that center the voices and experiences of our client communities. Our focus remains steadfast on dismantling systems that disproportionately affect those most harmed by systemic racism—communities of color, immigrants, and low-income people.
In this annual report, you’ll discover the profound impact of our incredible staff, whose daily efforts make a tangible difference. We’ll share stories of resilience from our clients, stories that will undoubtedly inspire. We will also highlight our new executive leaders whose expertise strengthens our organization and mission as we prepare for another 50 years of impact in Silicon Valley.
At the Law Foundation, we embrace challenges with determination, but we don’t do it alone. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to you for standing with us in the last year as we work together to build a more just and equitable community for us all.
Sincerely,
Alison Brunner, Esq.
Chief Executive Officer
Melissa Hollatz, Esq.
President, Board of Directors
CHILDREN & YOUTH
Our Children & Youth program advances the legal rights of children and youth, empowering them to lead healthy and productive lives. We provide free legal assistance and advocacy to support children and youth - those navigating the foster care system, those needing probate guardianships, those facing education challenges like expulsion, and so much more.
Comprehensive Support for Immigrant Youth
When Rachel was just five, she needed someone to stand up for her. There were worries about possible abuse and she needed someone to move quickly to ensure she was safe and protected. Her legal case was complicated because she was not born in the United States. Did she, legally, have to go back to her home country?
HOUSING
The regional housing affordability crisis leaves hundreds of households facing eviction each month. The Law Foundation provides free legal services to low-income families and individuals at risk of eviction and homelessness with the goal of helping them maintain safe and healthy housing within our community. Our clients receive caring and competent representation when navigating issues like unfair evictions, housing discrimination, or preserving rental subsidies and assistance.
The Power of Partnerships: Disabled Seniors Avoid Homelessness
Alex, a senior living with a disability, was facing imminent eviction from his home. A notice from the sheriff had been posted on Alex’s door: next week he and his wife would be forced to leave.
HEALTH
The Health program ensures those living with health and mental health issues can receive free legal advice and representation. This includes helping disabled individuals to receive the public benefits they are entitled to, providing legal help to those experiencing homelessness, and advocating for the rights of those experiencing acute mental health crises.
Disability Benefits Support Economic Stability
Appealing an unfair denial of health benefits can be frustrating and complicated. We stepped in when 57-year-old Christopher contacted the Law Foundation after being denied Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).
PRO BONO
The Law Foundation’s Pro Bono Program leverages the talent of attorneys and staff from law firms and corporate legal departments to help more clients than we would with just our in-house attorneys. Pro bono attorney volunteers dedicate their time and expertise to providing high-quality legal services. We also rely on a variety of non-attorney volunteers, who provide a wide variety of services to the Law Foundation in areas like paralegal support, website and graphic design, forensics, and data analysis.
Want to get involved? Email probono.info@lawfoundation.org.
RACE EQUITY
At the Law Foundation, our ongoing commitment to advancing racial equity, inclusion and belonging remains an evolving journey, marked by the fusion of progress and challenges that continually shape our dedication to a more equitable future.
This year saw remarkable progress: our internal, cross-organizational REI Steering Committee underwent a substantial transformation as a shared leadership group driving racial equity and inclusion initiatives. Beginning with role definitions and terms, it transitioned to an equity-centered recruitment process, culminating in comprehensive orientations, and planning. With a fully staffed Committee, members actively engaged in cultural competency education, which fostered shared understanding. The Committee also set an example by creating meeting structures rooted in our organizational values, ensuring an inclusive and empowering environment for decision-making. Recently, the Committee convened for a strategic retreat, outlining our vision, commitments, and priorities for guiding our equity-focused endeavors in the upcoming year.
These milestones attest to our dedication and progress, laying the groundwork for the year ahead. Renewed and resolute, we're poised to continue this crucial work, deepening our commitment to racial equity, inclusion, and belonging.
Looking forward, our immediate focus is on embedding our core values further into the fabric of our organization. This step is pivotal, ensuring these values remain integral to our mission and practices and guide both our internal operations and external advocacy as we persist in pursuing a more equitable and inclusive future.
FY2023 FINANCIALS
Revenue & Support
Expenses
Supporters
Your generous support allows us to provide equal access to the law and fight social injustices. Together, we are creating real and lasting change.
Hurlbut-Johnson Charitable Trusts
John Mohme Foundation
2023 Annual Partners
Platinum - $110,000+
Gold - $75,000
Palladium - $50,000
Silver - $35,000
Covington & Burling LLP
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer US LLP
Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP
Copper - $25,000
Hewlett Packard Enterprise
Kirkland & Ellis LLP
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
NetApp
Synopsys, Inc.
Sullivan & Cromwell LLP
Silicon - $15,000
eBay, Inc.
Foley & Lardner LLP
VMware, Inc.
Venable
White & Case LLP
Hogan Lovells US LLP
Abrams & Bayliss LLP
Allen & Overy LLP
Alston & Bird LLP
Apple
Applied Materials, Inc.
Baker McKenzie
Bartlit Beck LLP
Iron - $10,000
Choate, Hall, & Stewart LLP
Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP
Cooper Legal Group
Cornerstone Research
Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett
& Dunner, LLP
Fish & Richardson P.C.
Greenberg Traurig, LLP
Jackson Lewis P.C.
JAMS
Kilpatrick Townsend
& Stockton LLP
Macrae, Inc.
Merrill Lynch
Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP
Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton
& Garrison LLP
Perkins Coie LLP
QuisLex
Troutman Pepper Hamilton
Sanders LLP
Womble Bond Dickinson US LLP
In-Kind
ZAG Technical Services
Welcoming New Executive Leaders
Last year we welcomed three important additions to our executive leadership team. These impressive leaders are strengthening the Law Foundation and growing our long-term impact throughout Silicon Valley.
We are thrilled to have the extensive experience of these individuals. Their knowledge and commitment to social justice will help lead the organization to a brighter future.
Chief Program Officer
Chief Development Officer
Chief Operating Officer