Long before November 5, 2024, Centro Legal de la Raza began preparing for the storm we feared was coming. The new Administration has confirmed those fears, unleashing a wave of reckless, baseless policies designed to destabilize and intimidate our communities. Each morning now brings a new challenge, a new threat—but also a renewed sense of purpose. In these trying times, we believe it is more important than ever to come together—to draw strength from one another, to lift up the heroes among us, and to celebrate the powerful legacy we’ve built together over the past 56 years.
Tonight, we are so pleased to have CA Assemblymember Liz Ortega with us as our Keynote Speaker to share a bit of her personal story as well as of her work in Sacramento and how we can support her efforts to protect Californians!
We will also honor two very special Campeonas (champions):
Alameda County Supervisor Elisa Márquez – our true Campeona de Comunidad, who has fought side by side with Centro Legal de la Raza to ensure our community has the resources needed to meet the growing crisis.
Hanson Bridgett – our amazing Campeona de Justicia, for their stellar work as our pro-bono partner, in defending our clients’ rights around immigration, housing, and employment
The selfless leadership of these honorees to rise up and meet the challenges faced by our clients has been so encouraging. They are not alone, but they have stood up and stood out this year, and we are glad to have you with us to acknowledge them.
We know that even in darkness we must find joy. So, tonight we invite you to be moved by the music of our Trio -and, to close the evening out on the dancefloor to the sounds of our DJ Maryela. Square49 has prepared a fabulous meal – and we have time to be together.
Our staff has been stretched as we work (nearly) around the clock to meet the demands of our clients. We know that our immigrant community is counting upon us to defend them, and with you, we will continue doing so with strength.
In gratitude,
Monique Berlanga Executive Director
Event Program
6:00 pm
Reception
Music by Trio
Appetizers prepared and served by Square49 Catering
Auction Ticket Sales
7:15 pm
Dinner & Program
Caheri Gutierrez, Emcee
DINNER SERVICE
Music by DJ Mare.E.Fresh
STORIES OF INSPIRATION & GRATITUDE
Monique Berlanga, Executive Director Stephanie Tang, Board Chair
THIS MOMENT IN TIME
Monique Berlanga
Alvin Lopez Torres, Client, Centro Legal de la Raza
WE WILL RISE ABOVE – FUND A NEED
Sandra Sertel, Board Member & Maciel Jacques, Deputy Director
KEYNOTE ADDRESS
Hon. Liz Ortega-Toro, CA Assemblywoman
AWARDS
Campeones de Justicia – Hansen Bridgett
presented by Samantha “Sam” Beckett, Tenants’ Rights Directing Attorney
Campeona de Comunidad – Hon. Elisa Márquez presented by Monique Berlanga
CONCLUDING REMARKS & AUCTION WINNERS ANNOUNCED
Thank you and good evening, we will see you next year for our 57th Anniversary Celebration!
Kirkland & Ellis is proud to support the Centro Legal de la Raza
Kirkland & Ellis is proud to support the Centro Legal de la Raza
56th Anniversary Gala
56th Anniversary Gala
The Firm commends the work of Centro Legal de la Raza to provide access to justice for low-income individuals throughout Northern and Central California.
The Firm commends the work of Centro Legal de la Raza to provide access to justice for low-income individuals throughout Northern and Central California.
www.kirkland.com/probono
www.kirkland.com/probono
Visionary
Ally Partner
Chip and Rebecca Conradi
Hero
Media Sponsor Leader
Campeones de Justicia Hanson Bridgett Campeona de Comunidad Hon. Elisa Márquez
As a California-born firm, it’s in our DNA to celebrate our people and clients and to take pride in the work we do to support the communities where we live and work.
From growing and developing our diverse team of attorneys and professional staff to fostering an environment where they can take real action on social justice issues and acts of service—we’re proud to be leading the way toward a more invested and inclusive industry.
• Our attorneys and professional staff take real action on social justice issues, mobilizing resources and committing time to acts of service.
• Our culture is collaborative, with interdisciplinary attorney teams who work closely with administrative professionals.
• We invest in our people, providing extensive professional development offerings, formalized mentoring program and competitive compensation model.
• We offer a customized and pragmatic approach to legal skills training and merit-based advancement opportunities to ensure a thriving and dynamic career path.
• We push ourselves to foster open dialogue and connect a diversity of perspectives.
• We are an extraordinary place to work, with many industry and business accolades, including recognition as a Best Law Firm for Women since the inaugural list in 2010.
Environmental, Social and Governance
Our commitment to sustainability shows in our daily business and through our achievements. All of our offices are green certified for our sustainability efforts, and we’re a certified B Corp with several LEED® Accredited professionals on our team with access to resources to help evaluate and improve our sustainability practices.
With the help of these individuals, we formed an internal committee to implement green policies and teach us how going green can be good for our business and our communities.
A lifelong, locally educated resident of District 2, Alameda County Supervisor Elisa Márquez proudly represents the vibrant communities of Hayward, Newark, Union City, as well as Fremont’s Ardenwood, Bayside, Canyon Heights/Vallejo Mills/Niles Crest, East Industrial, Lakes & Birds, Northgate, and Warm Springs neighborhoods.
Throughout her two decades of public service, Supervisor Márquez has championed the creation of safer, more sustainable communities with affordable homes, solutions to homelessness, and a thriving, inclusive economy with good paying jobs.
Prior to her unanimous appointment to the Alameda County Board of Supervisors, Supervisor Márquez served as a Planning Commissioner, Hayward City Councilmember, and immediate past Chair of Ava Community Energy.
She continues to advocate for real solutions to our housing challenges at the county level. This includes expanding options that lower costs, increase home ownership, and promote common-sense protections for renters, especially for low-income children and their families, seniors, persons with disabilities and their caregivers.
As the Chair of the Public Protection Committee, Supervisor Márquez is focused on ensuring that first responders, public safety professionals, crisis communicators, and non-profit providers have the resources and training needed to keep everyone in our community safe, while also investing in essential community infrastructure like St. Rose Hospital to safeguard access to life-saving care in Alameda County.
Supervisor Márquez is also passionate about access to high-quality education for all as a daughter of an immigrant family with a deeply rooted strong work ethic.
She serves as the Vice Chair of the Alameda County Together For All or “ACT” AdHoc Committee to ensure the County is prepared to support local residents, especially immigrants, refugees, LGBTQ+ community members, and those seeking comprehensive reproductive healthcare, from harmful federal policy and budgetary actions.
Supervisor Márquez holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration and is deeply committed to making local government work better with residents, workers, and city officials who share her vision of a safer, cleaner, brighter future for Alameda County.
56 Years of Justice, Resistance, and Comunidad
Centro Legal de la Raza was founded in 1969 by Chicanx students and community activists in Oakland’s Fruitvale neighborhood to fight police brutality and systemic injustice. We began as a grassroots, bilingual legal collective offering free legal support to the most vulnerable. From day one, we have stood alongside community in the struggle for dignity and rights.
By the 1980s, Centro expanded to meet growing needs in immigration, housing, and labor justice across the Bay Area. We launched our first immigration and tenants’ rights programs, offered legal clinics, and began pushing for broader policy change. Over time, Centro became a statewide leader in community-rooted legal advocacy.
Today, we serve over 10,000 people each year through immigration defense, workers’ rights, tenants’ rights, and our Youth Law Academy. From deportation defense to wage recovery to housing stability, our work is anchored in the lives of those most impacted. As we celebrate 56 years, we honor the past — and recommit to building a just future.
Extends Congratulations to Centro Legal de la Raza on its remarkable milestone of 56 years dedicated to community advocacy, support and commitment to justice and empowerment
Chip Conradi
Congratulations on 56 years!
The Immig rant Legal Resource Center joins in cong ratulating Centro Legal de la Raza for 56 year s of immig ration practice focusing on the needs of the mos t vulnerable in our community.
Cong ratulations to this year’s honorees:
The Honorable Elisa Marq uéz Hanson Bridgett LLP
Centro Legal de la Raza
Board of Directors
Stephanie Tang, Chairperson
Luis Hoyos, Vice Chair
Sandra Sertel, Secretary
Jay SchwartzCoffey, Treasurer
Claudia Perkins, Executive Committee Member
Aidin Castillo Mazantini
Ellie Dehghan
Diane Downs
Monique Berlanga, Executive Director
Leadership Team
Maciel Jacques, Deputy Director
Klaudia Kristina Apolinar Casanova, Director of Finance & Operations
Jesse Newmark, Litigation Director
Samantha Beckett, Tenants’ Rights Directing Attorney
Lourdes Martinez Diaz Barriga, Immigrants’ Rights Co-Directing Attorney
Abby Sullivan Engen, Immigrants’ Rights Co-Directing Attorney
Mara (Rama) Chavez, Youth Law Academy Director
Mission Statement
Founded in 1969, Centro Legal de la Raza is a legal services agency protecting and advancing the rights of low-income, immigrant, Black, and Latinx communities through bilingual legal representation, education, and advocacy. By combining quality legal services with know-your-rights education and youth development, Centro Legal de la Raza ensures access to justice for thousands of individuals throughout Northern and Central California.
