 |
Building Campaign
We are delighted to announce that we have reached our capital fund raising goal of $3.25 million towards the Building for Justice campaign. Thanks to the support of many individuals, law firms, foundations, and our lead donor, Boalt Hall School of Law, we have declared the campaign a success. (See www.ebclc.org/documents/DonorList2.1.07_000.pdf for a complete list of contributors.)
Thank you to our Campaign Honorary Committee, our Class Captains, and everyone who has supported EBCLC during this effort. We truly appreciate your help in making our new home a reality.
We are currently working with our architect and contractor to complete renovations at the new building over the next few weeks. Our plan is to move into the new space the last week of April. On the evening of Thursday, May 31, EBCLC will host a Grand Opening party at the site so that we can properly thank everyone who made this achievement possible. Please reserve that date on your calendar and we will send you more details soon.
Executive Director Search
Our Board of Directors hired a terrific consultant, Emily Hall, who completed an in-depth organizational assessment, formed a search committee made up of Board and staff members, conducted a nation-wide search, and has interviewed many talented individuals. The search should be completed within the next two months.
During the search period, EBCLC's Development Officer, Deborah Moss-West, is serving as Interim Executive Director, assisted by a talented leadership team and staff. Deborah has been intimately involved in managing EBCLC for the last six years. Her capable and steady hand will ensure that EBCLC's mission is advanced while the organization completes the search for a new director.
|
|
|
Building Campaign
We are delighted to announce that we have reached our capital fund raising goal of $3.25 million towards the Building for Justice campaign. Thanks to the support of many individuals, law firms, foundations, and our lead donor, Boalt Hall School of Law, we have declared the campaign a success. (See www.ebclc.org/documents/DonorList2.1.07_000.pdf for a complete list of contributors.)
Community Economic Justice Practice
After almost four years of community and legal efforts, the parties in the Oakland Chinatown affordable housing litigation entered into a tentative settlement agreement that would result in permanent affordable housing for low-income residents at the Pacific Renaissance Plaza—the heart of Chinatown. Along with pro bono counsel from Paul Hastings, Siegel & Yee, California Affordable Housing Law Project, and Heller Ehrman, EBCLC has been representing tenant families, the Asian Pacific Environmental Network, and Just Cause Oakland in the litigation.
Clean Slate Practice
On October 28, 2006, EBCLC held a Clean Slate Summit in partnership with California State Attorney General Bill Lockyer, Congresswoman Barbara Lee, other East Bay officials and community groups. This day-long event served more than 250 individuals and families struggling to earn better jobs and affordable homes. For more information about the Summit and EBCLC's Clean Slate work, check out the December 2006 article in The Daily Journal at www.ebclc.org/documents/new-hope1.pdf.
Health Law Practice
The Medical-Legal Partnership between EBCLC and Children's Hospital Research Center Oakland successfully completed it's initial pilot phase in December, serving approximately 40 low-income families with legal matters including guardianships, special education, housing habitability, public benefits, and immigration. The project was featured in a July 2006 article in The Recorder (www.ebclc.org/documents/eastbay_RGB0725061.pdf). The collaborative continues to benefit from the valuable contributions from several talented law students, including Anne Marie Nicpon (UC Davis, '08), Madeline Howard (Boalt, '07) and Tova Wolking (Boalt, '08).
Housing Practice
EBCLC focuses its housing advocacy on eviction defense, an effective method of preventing homelessness and slowing the loss of affordable housing. However, the Housing Unit also engages in strategic affirmative litigation against landlords who engage in unlawful conduct. Recently, the Housing Unit represented 16 very low-income tenants who were illegally locked out of a single-room occupancy hotel in Oakland. Many of the tenants had become homeless after the lock-out and suffered the loss of all of their personal property as well as their housing. EBCLC's advocacy resulted in a $100,000 settlement for the tenants.
Income Support Practice
EBCLC is working in coalition with the Women of Color Resources Center and the Women's Policy Institute on Assembly Bill 22, "Provide for Each Child." Current California law excludes from assistance children who are born after their families go on welfare. AB22, authored by Assemblywoman Lieber of Mountain View, would repeal the exclusion. In addition to law student interns, community volunteers committed to social justice also assist EBCLC. One such volunteer, Eli Miller, has been coordinating research, resources, and legislative visits concerning the bill. Eli is a member of the rock group Zox, and is considering entering law school in the Fall of 2008. Thanks for your work, Eli.
Clinical Program
EBCLC continues to have record numbers of new and returning Boalt students participating in our five practice groups. This Spring, we are bursting at the seams, with 42 new and returning students! In addition to the direct service work in which interns participate, returning students are engaged in policy, legislative, and research projects that move the practices forward and improve legal services to the community.
Through the coordination of our Director of Clinical & Programs, Tirien Steinbach, EBCLC Staff Attorneys co-teach the Community Law Practice seminar at Boalt. This year, Margaretta Lin, the Director of EBCLC's Community Economic Justice practice, is also co-teaching an advanced seminar on community economic justice with Boalt Professor Angela Harris.
Our program for first year law students, Community Legal Outreach (CLO), continues to grow and improve. Under the program, students outreach to Berkeley and Oakland shelters, homeless drop-in centers, and the Social Service Agency, as well as participating in EBCLC's housing, health, and criminal law workshops. CLO's amazing coordinators—Chris Ahn, Josh Kamzan, Tammy Levin, and Inna Parizher—attracted 40 first year students in the Fall, and 30 more this Spring, to work in the four programs tied to our direct service practices. In addition, Alejandra Gochez joined CLO this Spring to launch a Community Economic Justice project where first year students will survey clients to help develop a People's Housing Plan for Oakland.
The continued development of the CLO project both increases services to the community and expands hands-on educational opportunities for Boalt students.
|
|
