The ChangeMaker Magazine - June 2024

MAKER CHANGE

Welcome to the 2024 editions of The Change Maker — California ChangeLawyers digital magazine made specifically for our community of supporters and alumni.

The Change Maker is named after you, the readers, who help make change happen within the legal sector, legal professions and the lives of our ChangeLawyers scholars, fellows, alumni and extended family.

As a reminder, The Change Maker magazine is quarterly and features key updates, articles, news and information about the work and stories of California ChangeLawyers.

We hope you enjoy reading through this year's stories. Let us know if you have any feedback or want to hear other stories from us.

Welcome to The Change Maker.

CALIFORNIA CHANGELAWYERS STAFF (LEFT TO RIGHT): CARLOS AGUILAR, CHRIS PUNONGBAYAN, JASJIT SINGH, STACI L. YOUNG, BROOKE CANNELLA.

A LETTER FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

DEAR CHANGELAWYERS

COMMUNITY,

In 2004, I got my first full-time law job through a national fellowship program for social justice advocates. I worked at a community-based organization that had long served the Filipino community in Oakland, but never had a lawyer on staff. I had to pinch myself because it was like a dream come true. I came to California from the East Coast specifically for this reason, to serve immigrants and others who could not afford a lawyer.

Now, at ChangeLawyers, I have the opportunity to pay it forward. Since launching our own fellowship

program in 2015, we have supported 54 fellows working on environmental justice, domestic violence prevention, and so many other issues. One of those early fellows, Anna Hohag, has now joined our board of directors.

Since 2021, we have further refined our work by coordinating a statewide fellowship effort called the Immigration Legal Fellowship Program, which has launched the careers of an additional 17 fellows in the critical area of removal defense.

Check out some recent highlights of the 2023-2026 cohort who work in California’s Central Coast, Central Valley, and Inland Empire.

This month, we are also proud to announce the renewal of our partnership with Equal Justice Works (EJW). Our fellow’s project focuses on the rights of immigrant workers in the poultry industry. This collaboration with EJW helps us to maximize our impact by creating 2-year fellowship opportunities, which is the gold standard for public interest fellowships.

At ChangeLawyers, we believe in the limitless potential of our community. We are committed to empowering the next generation to be advocates for change on some of the toughest problems facing California. Thank you for being part of this movement for justice for all.

Gratefully yours,

Chris Punongbayan

CHRIS PUNONGBAYAN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR & 2003 CHANGELAWYERS SCHOLAR

INTRODUCING OUR NEWEST BOARD MEMBERS

CAMILLE GRANVILLE Lead Counsel, AirBnB

ANNA HOHAG Attorney, San Manuel Band of Mission Indians ChangeLawyers 2018 Fellow Alumni

ADVOCACY WORK

Earlier this month, California ChangeLawyers joined a coalition of philanthropic organizations in urging legislative leaders to prioritize justice, equity, and full inclusion for all Californians in the budget decisionmaking process. Specifically, ChangeLawyers co-signed a letter asking California policymakers to uphold key programs benefiting immigrants in this year’s budget proposal, and expressed deep

concern about the negative impact the May revision would have on immigrant communities.

Regardless of the outcome, ChangeLawyers will remain committed to legal services for California's immigrants, especially those facing family separation.

ALUMNI ON THE MOVE!

ChangeLawyers Alumni represent the next generation of legal changemakers. We love to learn and share stories about what they've been up to. Keep on learning and making change, Alumni!

SPOTTED AT THE IMPACT FUND'S CONFERENCE

ChangeLawyers supported 5 program alumni to attend a conference on class action lawsuits. Our alumni had this to say about the conference. Keep on learning and making change, Alumni!

“The conference was definitely insightful. I actually felt like I learned a lot when it comes to class actions and how important strategies are when it comes to litigating in court.”

CONGRATS, ANGELICA!

Angelica Lee, a 2021 1L Scholar at University of California, College of the Law, San Francisco (formerly UC Hastings) won first place in the American Bar Association Health Law Section Student Writing Competition and graduating as a member of the Honor Society. Congrats Angelica!

WE SEE YOU, SALESHIA!

We've been seeing Saleshia Ellis, 2023 1L scholar from UC Davis, everywhere! From speaking on a panel for Empowering Women Lawyers in Leadership, attending an event featuring our very own Executive Director, Chris, at UC Davis to catching up with Jasjit, Programs Director, at a NAACP prayer breakfast. Saleshia keep making change happen!

INTRODUCING THE 2024 3L NEXTGEN SCHOLARS!

ADRIANA J. DIAZ MIRELES (she/her/hers)

UC LAW SAN FRANCISCO (FORMERLY UC HASTINGS) sponsored by Bay Area Latino Lawyers Fund

AMARA BRYSON (she/her/hers)

LOYOLA LAW SCHOOL

LOS ANGELES sponsored by California Association of Black Lawyers

ALEJA CRETCHER (she/her/hers)

UCLA SCHOOL OF LAW sponsored by Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Los Angeles

ANISA ABRAMS (she/her/hers)

THOMAS JEFFERSON SCHOOL OF LAW sponsored by Earl B. Gilliam Bar Foundation, Inc.

ALEXIA BEATRIZ (she/her/hers)

UC LAW SAN FRANCISCO (FORMERLY UC HASTINGS) sponsored by Bay Area Latino Lawyers Fund

ANNIE LE (she/her/hers)

USF SCHOOL OF LAW sponsored by Asian American Bar Association of the Greater Bay Area and AABA Law Foundation

ARIANA CANALEZ (she/her/hers)

GOLDEN GATE UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW sponsored by Asian Pacific American Bar Association - Silicon Valley

DAMIAN CORTEZ (he/him/his)

UC DAVIS SCHOOL OF LAW sponsored by Charles Houston Bar Association

DINA QUBAIN (she/her/hers)

USD SCHOOL OF LAW sponsored by Arab American Lawyers Association of Southern California

BOLA HAMBOLU (she/her/hers)

BERKELEY LAW sponsored by California Association of Black Lawyers

DARIA TAYLOR (she/her/hers)

CALIFORNIA WESTERN SCHOOL OF LAW sponsored by Tom Homann LGBTQ+ Law Foundation

JOCELYN GOMEZ (she/her/hers)

BERKELEY LAW sponsored by EBLRLA Scholarship Fund

CHEYENNE ROGERS (she/her/hers)

UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT SCHOOL OF LAW

sponsored by The Anjan Choudhury Memorial Scholarship Fund

DEAVEN RECTOR (he/him/his)

HOWARD UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW sponsored by CABL Judicial Council

KAREN HERRERA (she/her/hers)

SOUTHWESTERN LAW SCHOOL sponsored by Latina Lawyers Bar Association

KARLA NOYLES (she/her/hers)

UNIVERSITY OF THE PACIFIC, MCGEORGE SCHOOL OF LAW sponsored by California Association of Black Lawyers

LAURA PRICE (she/her/hers)

SOUTHWESTERN LAW SCHOOL sponsored by CABL Judicial Council

ROSIBETH CUEVAS (she/her/hers)

USF SCHOOL OF LAW sponsored by Consumer Attorneys of California

KRISTALÉ CHANEY (she/her/hers)

UNIVERSITY OF THE PACIFIC, MCGEORGE SCHOOL OF LAW sponsored by Wiley Manuel Bar Association

LILIA KAZEMI (she/her/hers)

BERKELEY LAW sponsored by Iranian American Bar Association - NorCal Chapter

SABRINA MEDLER (she/her/hers)

UCLA SCHOOL OF LAW sponsored by Tom Homann LGBTQ+ Law Foundation

KYRA BYERS (she/her/hers)

FAMU COLLEGE OF LAW sponsored by CABL Judicial Council

NERI LOZANO (he/him/his)

GOLDEN GATE UNIVERSITY, SCHOOL OF LAW sponsored by EBLRLA Scholarship Fund

JANE LONGALONG (she/her/hers)

SOUTHWESTERN LAW SCHOOL sponsored by Philippine American Bar Association

SARAH

SAVION COTTEN (he/him/his)

LOYOLA LAW SCHOOL LOS ANGELES

sponsored by John Langston Bar Association

SINNAI AVILA (she/her/hers)

UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA JAMES E. ROGERS COLLEGE OF LAW sponsored by California Indian Law Association

TORI CORREIA (she/her/hers)

UNIVERSITY OF LA VERNE COLLEGE OF LAW sponsored by CABL Judicial Council

SEYONNA CHRISTIAN (she/her/hers/they/them)

SANTA CLARA UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW sponsored by Charles Houston Bar Institute

STEPHANIE QUERO (she/her/hers)

UC DAVIS SCHOOL OF LAW sponsored by San Diego La Raza Lawyers Association Scholarship Fund

SIERRA WILLIAMS (she/her/hers)

GOLDEN GATE UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW sponsored by The BALIF Foundation

TIFFANY MOORE (she/her/hers)

USC GOULD SCHOOL OF LAW sponsored by Black Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles Foundation

NEXTGEN SPRING RECEPTION

On April 11th, ChangeLawyers hosted The NextGen Spring Reception in downtown Los Angeles at 777 Tower. Thank you to Klinedinst PC for hosting us again this year! We were able to host around 100 people including our cohort of 32 3L scholars and their families and friends, representatives from co-sponsoring bar associations and ChangeLawyers staff and board members. We enjoyed delicious eats while mingling and communing. And for the highlight of the event, we invited each scholar to share their social justice

story and vision for the future. We, along with their families and friends, are so proud of this year's cohort of 3L Scholars and we are excited to welcome them into the ChangeLawyers community.

As a reminder, ChangeLawyers and the co-sponsoring bar associations provide $5,000 scholarships to graduating law students who are preparing to sit for next month’s Bar Exam. Let’s send good luck and well wishes to this amazing group of changemakers as they sit for the bar.

THANK YOU CO-SPONSORS!

LEGAL EMPOWERMENT FUND GRANTEES

This year, ChangeLawyers released our third year of grants under our Legal Empowerment Fund strategy. The Fund was launched to support new leaders for the legal profession; build the capacity of newer and smaller legal organizations; and strengthen the eco-system of lawyers supporting grassroots social change movements. Our grants totaled $20,000 to $80,000 organizations across the state. Our grantee partners are on the frontlines working on issues such as land rematriation, increasing access to coveted judicial clerkships, immigration detention, and more.

YOU CAN LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR LEF GRANTEES BY VISITING OUR GRANTEE DATABASE HERE . We are grateful for our philanthropic partners who have supported the Legal Empowerment Fund. Since its inception, they include: William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, Stupski Foundation, Bigglesworth Family Foundation, Akonadi Foundation, Van Lobel Sels/Rembe Rock Foundation, ABA Retirement Funds, and an anonymous family foundation. If you or your organization would like to contribute to the Fund, please let us know.

LEADERSHIP PATHWAYS

Goal: First-generation lawyers rise to positions of power in law

Legal Fellowship Track

Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area

For The People

General Leadership Track

UCLA Law Fellows Program - Central Valley

American Bar Association Fund for Justice and Education

Esq. Apprentice

Legal Education Access Pipeline, Inc. (LEAP)

California Indian Law Association, Inc.

MOVEMENT LAWYERING

Goal: Stronger laws and policies created through community engagement

Center for Gender and Refugee StudiesCalifornia (CGRS-California)

California Collaborative for Immigrant Justice

Equal Justice Society

CAPACITY BUILDING

The Appellate Project Goal: Increase sustainability of smaller organizations Land Clinic, a fund of Ecologistics Inc.

IMMIGRATION LEGAL FELLOWSHIP PROJECT RETREAT

In early May, six fellows with the Immigration Legal Fellowship Project (ILFP) convened in Davis, California for their first retreat. The fellows learned practices for managing stress and promoting wellness. They also wrote poetry to tap into their creative juices! Immediately following the retreat,

the fellows participated in a 2-day removal defense bootcamp convened by the Immigration Legal Resource Center, who is also a key partner with ILFP. The fellowship is a 3 year capacity-building and leadership development program funded by the California Department of Social Services.

EQUAL JUSTICE WORKS PARTNERSHIP

ChangeLawyers is proud to be partnering with Equal Justice Works, the national public interest advocacy organization, by co-sponsoring a new two year fellowship for Isabella Nilsson. Isabella’s project will focus on work with Legal Impact for Chickens (LIC) to carry out novel litigation that reforms the poultry industry, improving conditions for poultry workers, contract growers, and animals. This is the third time ChangeLawyers has partnered with EJW, with great successes each previous time.

Ninety-seven percent of the 160 million chickens consumed weekly nationwide are produced through “contract” farming, a financially exploitative process in which an individual farmer takes out large loans in order to raise chickens for a large poultry corporation. Poultry slaughterhouse workers have some of the highest rates of depression, PTSD, and traumatic workplace injuries nationwide; amputations are routine and chronic illness common. Workers are constantly exposed to hazardous biological agents, and basic labor rights like

bathroom breaks and overtime pay are often not respected.

“As an LGBTQ+ Latinx woman, I’m proud to be contributing to the diversity of the law and assisting those who lack access to traditional legal resources.”

—ISABELLA NILSSON

Isabella will explore USDA’s role in the economic condition of growers. Isabella will also investigate USDA decisions that impact worker safety; for instance, increased dispensation of line speed waivers and a recurrent lack of inspection in poultry slaughterhouses has increased worker injuries. Isabella will share her findings with allied coalition partners and use it to inform the specific legal strategy for a LIC impact litigation lawsuit.

SUMMER LEADERSHIP SESSIONS

FOR STUDENTS, LAWYERS, AND ACTIVISTS

This summer, we are back with more leadership development workshops. From June-July, ChangeLawyers will host 3 free skill workshops on second hand trauma, project management, and mindfulness for lawyers. As always, our goal is to equipt the next generation with the skills and resources they need to rise to positions of power.

NEWMERCH

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