California Access to Justice Commission Marks 30th Anniversary by Honoring Leaders and Organizations Advancing Access to Justice
The California Access to Justice Commission will commemorate its 30th anniversary by recognizing organizations, state legislators and legislative staff whose leadership and work have expanded access to justice for low-income Californians and other underserved communities.
The honorees reflect the many ways California’s access-to-justice community is working to close the justice gap—from developing technology that helps immigrants navigate complex legal systems, to protecting seniors and people experiencing homelessness, to strengthening legal aid funding and advancing policies that make the courts more accessible and equitable.
The Access Commission selected six Innovation & Infrastructure grantees whose work represents the range of projects supported through the Access Commission’s grant programs, including infrastructure development, technology innovation, and expanded services for immigrants, rural residents and other vulnerable communities. In selecting the organizations, the Access Commission also sought geographic diversity, organizations of different sizes, and representation from both IOLTA-funded and non-IOLTA-funded organizations.
2026 Access to Justice Impact Award: Innovation & Infrastructure Grantees
Mobile Pathways is being recognized for its use of technology and data to help immigrants and the organizations serving them navigate the immigration system. The Access Commission funding has supported development and expansion of its information portal, automated case-status information and client alerts, as well as the use of artificial intelligence to analyze cases and help advocates identify potential avenues for relief and important deadlines. Mobile Pathways partners with more than 200 immigration nonprofits through its technology platform.
LATINAN provides immigration legal services in Monterey, San Benito, Santa Cruz and other Bay Area counties, with a particular focus on low-income immigrants in remote communities. The Access Commission’s grant funding supported development of an AI-assisted Spanish voice-to-text tool to help individuals complete asylum forms in their native language, with subsequent expansion to Mixteco and Triqui. Funding also supported legal representation for clients seeking Special Immigrant Juvenile Status.
California Coalition for Immigrant Justice (CCIJ) is being recognized for its work supporting immigrants detained in California and strengthening the statewide infrastructure available to respond when individuals are arrested, detained, or placed in removal proceedings. CCIJ helped establish a statewide Legal Services Collaborative with partner agencies Al Otro Lado, Central American Resource Center, California Immigration Project, Immigrant Defenders Law Center, and Immigrant Legal Defense. Together, the Collaborative expanded rural detention-response capacity, supported an attorney-of-the-day model at a new immigration court, modernized pro bono referral and legal-assistance strategies, and developed screening tools to identify detained immigrants with mental health disabilities who may be entitled to representation. By combining direct legal intervention with coordination, rapid-response systems, technical assistance, and shared infrastructure, the Collaborative helps ensure that people do not lose their rights simply because the legal system is difficult to reach or navigate.
Oasis Legal Services provides culturally responsive immigration legal services and social-service navigation to LGBTQ+ immigrants fleeing violence and persecution. Access Commission funding has supported expansion of services in the Central Valley, development of online resources for LGBTQ+ immigrants, an asylum mandamus pro bono program and attorney-supported seminars designed to help LGBTQ+ asylum seekers representing themselves in deportation proceedings.
Inner City Law Center (ICLC) has provided free legal services to vulnerable Los Angeles residents since 1980 and is the only legal services provider located in Skid Row. Access Commission funding has supported a vital-documents clinic for people experiencing homelessness, planning and resource development related to Los Angeles' Right to Counsel law, an online referral portal and expansion of technology supporting tenants facing unlawful detainer proceedings.
Legal Services for Seniors assists older adults in Monterey County in protecting their homes, safety and independence. Access Commission funding supported a public education campaign using television, radio, brochures and community presentations to help seniors recognize and avoid scams and conservatorship abuse.
2026 Access to Justice Impact Award — Legislative Honorees
The Commission will also present its 2026 Access to Justice Impact Award to three California legislators whose work has expanded access to legal services, strengthened protections for vulnerable Californians and improved access to the justice system.
Senator Tom Umberg, Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, is being recognized for leadership that has expanded eligibility for free legal services and court fee waivers for disabled veterans, promoted fair reimbursement of nonprofit administrative costs, strengthened access to a reliable record of court proceedings and advanced consumer protections governing the use of artificial intelligence in legal proceedings.
Senator Maria Elena Durazo is being recognized for her leadership in increasing legal aid funding and championing California’s Loan Repayment Assistance Program for legal aid attorneys. Her work has also strengthened protections for immigrants, reduced barriers for formerly incarcerated people seeking to clear their criminal records and advanced reforms addressing eviction, housing instability and homelessness.
Assemblymember Ash Kalra, Chair of the Assembly Judiciary Committee, is being recognized for efforts to protect elderly and dependent adults experiencing abuse or neglect, expand language access for tenants facing eviction, strengthen workplace protections for immigrant workers and improve access to the courts, including access to a reliable record of court proceedings.
2026 Access to Justice Impact Award — Legislative Staff Honorees
Six legislative staff members will also receive the 2026 Access to Justice Impact Award for their contributions to policies and funding that strengthen California’s civil justice system and legal aid community. Collectively, their work has been important to securing increased legal aid funding, advancing California’s Loan Repayment Assistance Program and expanding access to the justice system.
Eric Dang, Deputy Policy Director, Office of the Senate President pro Tempore
Nora Brackbill, Consultant, Senate Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review
Emelyn C. Rodriguez, General Counsel to the Assembly Speaker
Jennifer Kim, Consultant, Assembly Committee on Budget
Nicholas Liedtke, Chief Counsel, Assembly Judiciary Committee
Manuela Boucher, Deputy Chief Counsel, Assembly Judiciary Committee
Together, the 2026 honorees demonstrate the breadth of work required to make equal access to justice meaningful: sustained public investment, sound public policy, strong legal services organizations, effective partnerships and thoughtful innovation.
As the California Access to Justice Commission marks three decades of work to improve access to the civil justice system, the anniversary recognition also looks forward—highlighting the people and organizations building the infrastructure, services and policies needed to ensure Californians can understand their rights, access assistance and effectively participate in the justice system.