Social Justice Collaborative

What Social Justice Collaborative does

Social Justice Collaborative (SJC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2012 in Berkeley, California, by attorneys Emily Abraham and Gautam Jagannath. The organization provides free and low-cost immigration legal services to low-income immigrant families, asylum seekers, unaccompanied minors, and survivors of violence across Northern and Central California, serving more than 1,500 families annually across 30+ counties. SJC has won over 300 asylum cases, established legal precedents in gender-based asylum claims, and helps more than 100 individuals obtain permanent residency and hundreds more obtain work authorization each year. Roughly one in three clients is Indigenous, and SJC delivers services in English, Spanish, and Indigenous languages including Mam and Q'anjob'al — a distinctive capability in the immigration legal aid sector.

SJC's core service portfolio comprises five programs: Deportation Defense (direct legal representation in removal proceedings), a Pro Bono Program (connecting volunteer attorneys with clients through a network including Baker McKenzie, Cooley LLP, DLA Piper, Kirkland & Ellis, and Latham & Watkins), Behavioral Health Services (culturally responsive mental health support), Advocacy and Appellate Litigation (federal appellate work and coalition organizing), and an Unaccompanied Minors Program (SIJS applications and representation). The technology stack is conventional: standard nonprofit case management, USCIS Case Status API integration for case tracking, Google Analytics 4, and HTTPS/TLS security, with no proprietary platform or AI/ML components.

SJC's revenue model is donation- and grant-based, with funding drawn from individuals, foundations, government grants, and in-kind pro bono contributions from law firm partners. The organization is a UnidosUS Affiliate (since 2021), a Candid Platinum Transparency 2025 recipient, and a 2021 OneJustice Champion of Justice Award winner. In 2025, SJC lost more than $300,000 in federal funding due to federal funding cuts and is actively pursuing alternative funding sources including a proposed $200,000 investment from the City of Berkeley. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors, has 11–50 employees, and is headquartered at 1832 Second Street, Berkeley, CA 94710.

Name

Social Justice Collaborative

Legal name

Social Justice Collaborative

Website

https://socialjusticecollaborative.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Social Justice Collaborative is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2012 that provides free and low-cost immigration legal services — including deportation defense, asylum representation, and behavioral health support — to more than 1,500 low-income immigrant families annually across 30+ counties in Northern and Central California, with services delivered in English, Spanish, and Indigenous languages such as Mam and Q'anjob'al.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Immigration Legal Services

NAICS

Human Rights Organizations (813311), Individual and Family Services (6241), Social Assistance (624)

SIC

Services-Legal Services (8111), Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Legal Aid & Client Advocacy Services (BPAGAEAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Human Rights & Anti-Discrimination Organizations (BPAGAFAB), Public Defense & Legal Aid Services (BPAIAFAC)

Keywords

• Immigration legal services
• Deportation defense
• Asylum representation
• Pro bono legal aid
• Behavioral health support

Headquarters

HQ city

Oakland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Social Justice Collaborative is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN: 45-5556421) that operates primarily through donations from individuals, foundations, and community supporters. The organization lost over $300,000 in federal funding in 2025 due to federal funding cuts.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Social Justice Collaborative is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2012 in Berkeley, California, that delivers free and low-cost immigration legal services to low-income immigrants across Northern and Central California. The organization provides direct representation in deportation defense, asylum, and appellate matters, complemented by behavioral health support and a dedicated pro bono program that leverages volunteer attorneys. It also runs the ACBA/CAAP referral program to connect clients with private immigration attorneys.

Product overview

Social Justice Collaborative is a nonprofit immigration legal services organization offering a comprehensive suite of services to immigrant communities in Northern and Central California. The core offerings include Deportation Defense (direct legal representation in removal proceedings), a Pro Bono Program (connecting volunteer attorneys with clients), Behavioral Health Services (culturally responsive mental health support), Advocacy and Appellate Litigation (coalition organizing and federal appellate work), and an Unaccompanied Minors Program (legal representation for children). Supporting services include intake and consultation services, the ACBA/CAAP referral program for criminal-immigration cross cases, and community resources including Know Your Rights materials. Services are provided in multiple languages including English, Spanish, Mam, and Q'anjob'al, with interpreter services for other languages. The organization serves over 1,500 families annually across 30+ counties.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Deportation Defense Representation Legal representation in immigration court for low-income immigrants facing removal proceedings, including defense against deportation orders.
• Asylum Representation Legal assistance for individuals seeking asylum, including case preparation, application filing, and court advocacy for asylum seekers.
• Advocacy and Appellate Litigation Systemic and individual appellate litigation before the Board of Immigration Appeals and federal circuit courts, including impact advocacy on immigration policy.
• Behavioral Health Services Mental health counseling and trauma-informed support for immigrant clients undergoing legal proceedings.
• Pro Bono Legal Program Coordination of volunteer attorneys who represent low-income immigrants in immigration matters, expanding the organization's capacity to serve more clients.
• Unaccompanied Minors Program Legal representation and advocacy for unaccompanied immigrant minors navigating immigration court proceedings and related protections.
• ACBA/CAAP Attorney Referral Program Referral partnership with the Alameda County Bar Association (ACBA) / Counsel for American Asylum Patients (CAAP) connecting clients with private immigration attorneys when the organization cannot take a case directly.

Quantifiable outcome

• Won over 300 asylum cases
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major, flagship and minor.

• Berkeley Immigration CollaborativecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 July 2025Coalition including SJC that was honored with Community Action Award at MLK Jr. Breakfast. The collaborative provides legal services, advocacy, and support for immigrant communities in Berkeley and surrounding areas.
• Baker McKenziemajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 August 2023Major international law firm providing pro bono legal support to SJC clients. Baker McKenzie is one of several major Bay Area law firms partnering with SJC to provide pro bono immigration legal services.
• Cooley LLPmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 August 2023Major international law firm providing pro bono legal support to SJC clients through the organization's pro bono network serving immigrant families.
• DLA PipermajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 August 2023Major international law firm providing pro bono immigration legal services through partnership with SJC's comprehensive legal services model.
• Kirkland & EllismajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 August 2023Major international law firm contributing pro bono legal services to SJC's immigration defense work through established partnership.
• Latham & WatkinsmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 August 2023Major international law firm providing pro bono support for SJC's immigration legal services through the organization's pro bono network.
• UnidosUSflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 July 2021SJC joined the UnidosUS Affiliate Network, the nation's largest Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization, recognizing SJC's commitment to helping Latinx and Hispanic communities through comprehensive immigration legal services, behavioral health support, and community advocacy. Affiliation provides access to resources, training, and advocacy tools.
• Rep4AllminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStatewide coalition advocating for the right to an attorney for people facing deportation. SJC participates in coalition organizing for policy change at the state level.
• Food4AllminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStatewide coalition advocating to open food assistance to every immigrant regardless of status. SJC participates in coalition organizing connecting food security with immigration advocacy.
• SafetyNet4AllminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStatewide coalition working to expand protection safety nets regardless of immigration status. SJC participates in coalition advocacy for comprehensive immigrant protections.
• Healthcare4AllminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStatewide coalition advocating for healthcare as a right for all people in California, including immigrants. SJC participates in coalition connecting healthcare access with immigrant rights.
• Alameda County Bar Association (ACBA)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorACBA/CAAP referral program enables attorneys to refer clients with criminal cases needing immigration consultations. SJC provides specialized consultations for referred cases.
• Contra Costa County Bar AssociationminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional bar association partnership providing professional association membership and referral connections for immigration legal services.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Centro Legal de la Raza: Oakland-based nonprofit providing free and low-cost immigration legal services, including deportation defense and naturalization, to low-income Bay Area immigrant communities. Directly comparable in mission, geography, and service model to SJC.
• CARECEN SF (San Francisco Day Labor Program): San Francisco-based legal services nonprofit providing deportation defense, asylum representation, and naturalization services to immigrants in the Bay Area. Overlapping service portfolio and target population with SJC.
• Immigrant Legal Defense: San Francisco-based immigration legal services nonprofit focused on deportation defense, asylum, and family-based immigration for low-income immigrants. Directly comparable legal aid provider in the same regional market.
• Asian Law Caucus: San Francisco-based civil rights organization providing immigration legal services, impact litigation, and advocacy for Asian and Pacific Islander immigrant communities. Overlapping immigration defense practice and Asian-language capacity analogous to SJC's Indigenous language capability.
• Immigrant Defenders Law Center: Los Angeles-based nonprofit providing deportation defense to indigent immigrants in Southern California, including unaccompanied minors representation. Directly comparable mission and program structure, operating in a complementary geography.
• Catholic Charities of the East Bay: Oakland-based social services nonprofit providing immigration legal services, refugee resettlement, and family support across the East Bay. Directly comparable in geographic footprint, immigrant client focus, and holistic service model.
• Bet Tzedek: Los Angeles-based legal services nonprofit providing free immigration legal services including deportation defense, naturalization, and asylum. Comparable legal aid model serving low-income immigrant communities in California.
• Legal Aid Society of San Mateo County: San Mateo County-based legal aid nonprofit providing free immigration legal services including deportation defense and asylum to low-income residents. Operates in the same Bay Area ecosystem with directly comparable service offerings.

Broad incumbents

• Public Counsel: Los Angeles-based legal services nonprofit and the largest pro bono law firm in the U.S., offering immigration services alongside broader civil legal aid. Larger organization with overlapping immigration practice but broader mission scope.

Others

• OneJustice: California legal aid infrastructure organization that has recognized SJC with the Champion of Justice Award. Functions as an intermediary supporting immigration and legal aid nonprofits across California through training, advocacy, and pro bono coordination.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/sjcollaborative
• Facebookfacebook.com/SocialJusticeCollaborative
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/social-justice-collaborative

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Social Justice Collaborative