Counsel for Justice - LACBA

What Counsel for Justice - LACBA does

Counsel for Justice (CFJ) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public benefit corporation headquartered in Los Angeles that provides free civil legal aid to underserved communities across Los Angeles County. The organization was created in 2014 by the Los Angeles County Bar Association and traces its roots to the 1963 Los Angeles County Bar Foundation; in August 2025 it completed a transition to full independence from LACBA. CFJ operates four integrated service programs — the Domestic Violence Project (DVP), the Immigration Legal Assistance Project (ILAP), the Veterans Legal Services Project (VLSP), and the Housing/Eviction Legal Services Project — delivered through walk-in clinics and remote sessions co-located inside court facilities (Stanley Mosk Courthouse, the Federal Building at the USCIS field office, and Bob Hope Patriotic Hall).

CFJ's service model is volunteer-powered: a small paid staff of 17 supports a network of 146 volunteer attorneys drawn from major law firms such as Reed Smith, Latham & Watkins, Arnold & Porter, Proskauer, Akin, Greenberg Traurig, and Alston & Bird. In its most recent reporting year the organization served 7,274 people, including 4,903 immigration cases, 1,981 domestic violence cases, 272 housing cases, 138 veterans cases, and 713 people living with disabilities, while contributing 3,491 pro bono hours. All client services are provided free of charge, with only a nominal $20 immigration consultation fee that can be waived.

The organization is funded through a diversified nonprofit revenue stack: individual donations, corporate and law firm sponsorships, IOLTA grants from the California State Bar Legal Services Trust Fund, cy pres awards from class action settlements, planned/legacy gifts, stock donations via Fidelity, and donor-advised fund grants. CFJ is governed by an independent Board of Directors led by President Wes W. Kennedy and Executive Director Diane Trunk, with Habiba Simjee serving as its first Director of Pro Bono Services since May 2025. The organization operates no proprietary technology platform and does not function as a technology company.

Name

Counsel for Justice - LACBA

Legal name

Counsel for Justice

Website

https://counselforjustice.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1963

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Counsel for Justice is a Los Angeles-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides free civil legal aid to low-income domestic violence survivors, immigrants, veterans, and tenants facing eviction through volunteer attorney clinics co-located in courthouses across Los Angeles County.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Pro Bono Legal Aid Services

NAICS

Offices of Lawyers (541110), Individual and Family Services (6241)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Legal Aid & Client Advocacy Services (BPAGAEAM)

Keywords

• Pro bono legal aid
• Civil legal services
• Nonprofit legal clinics
• Immigration legal assistance
• Domestic violence legal aid

Headquarters

HQ city

Los Angeles

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals supporting access to justice. EIN: 95-3998111.
2. Corporate Sponsorships: Sponsorships from law firms and corporations supporting specific campaigns (Immigration, Domestic Violence, Veterans, Housing) and events.
3. Cy Pres Awards: Residual proceeds from class action settlements designated to CFJ for specific legal causes including domestic violence, immigration, veterans, housing discrimination, and poverty law.
4. Planned Giving: Legacy donations through estate plans.
5. Stock/Securities Gifts: Donations of stock and securities through Fidelity brokerage.
6. Donor-Advised Fund: Recommended gifts through donor-advised funds.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Counsel for Justice provides free civil legal assistance to underserved communities in Los Angeles through four core program areas: Domestic Violence Project (restraining orders, custody support), Immigration Legal Assistance Project (asylum, DACA, naturalization, work permits), Veterans Legal Services Project (record clearing, eviction defense, family law consultations), and Housing/Eviction Legal Services Project (unlawful detainer answers, tenant defense). Services are delivered at courthouse and federal building locations by 146 volunteer attorneys and 17 staff, with all services free to clients except a waivable $20 immigration consultation fee.

Product overview

Counsel for Justice (CFJ) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit legal services organization that provides free civil legal aid to underserved communities in Los Angeles. The organization operates through four integrated core service programs: the Domestic Violence Project (DVP), the Immigration Legal Assistance Project (ILAP), the Veterans Legal Services Project, and the Housing/Eviction Legal Services Project. CFJ's service delivery model is volunteer-powered, engaging pro bono attorneys and law students to provide direct legal assistance under staff attorney supervision. The organization was created in 2014 by LACBA and became fully independent in 2025.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Immigration Legal Assistance Project (ILAP): Immigration legal services helping immigrants with citizenship, green cards, work permits, travel permits, and family unification. Serves more than 7,000 people each year.
• Domestic Violence Project (DVP)
• Veterans Legal Services Project (VLSP)
• Eviction Legal Services Project (ELSP)

Products and services

• Domestic Violence Project (DVP) Provides free legal assistance to survivors of domestic violence, including help with domestic violence restraining orders, custody support, safety planning, and referrals to supportive services. Located at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Immigration Legal Assistance Project (ILAP) Walk-in immigration clinic providing free legal assistance with family petitions, adjustment of status, work permits, DACA, naturalization, TPS, and other immigration matters. Located at the Federal Building on N. Los Angeles Street. A nominal $20 consultation fee is charged but can be waived for those who cannot afford it.
• Veterans Legal Services Project (VLSP) Provides free civil legal services to veterans including record clearing (expungements, felony reductions), eviction defense, housing advocacy, and quarterly family law consultations. Monthly virtual clinics are held every 3rd Thursday at Bob Hope Patriotic Hall.
• Housing / Eviction Legal Services Project (ELSP) Helps tenants facing eviction or unsafe living conditions by providing legal information and volunteer attorney support to complete Answer forms and assert their rights in unlawful detainer proceedings. Partners with LA Superior Court Self-Help Centers; clinics offered Tuesdays/Wednesdays 8:30am-12pm and 1pm-4pm, Fridays 8:30am-12pm, with work done remotely via Webex with tenants at the court.
• Volunteer Attorney Program Engages volunteer attorneys and law students to provide direct legal services across all CFJ projects, including clinic shifts for domestic violence restraining orders, immigration, eviction defense, and veterans record clearing. Offers both in-person and remote volunteer opportunities.

Quantifiable outcome

• 7,274 people served annually
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

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

• Los Angeles County Bar Association (LACBA)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1963LACBA established the Los Angeles County Bar Foundation in 1963, which later evolved into Counsel for Justice in 2014. LACBA serves as CFJ's pro bono partner, maintaining a shared commitment to access to justice.
• U.S. Department of JusticecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment partner providing support for CFJ's legal services programs.
• Los Angeles CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment partner providing support for legal services across Los Angeles County.
• City of Los AngelescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal partner providing support for CFJ's programs.
• U.S. VETScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with U.S. VETS at Patriotic Hall for veterans legal services clinics.
• Los Angeles County Department of Military and Veterans AffairscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment partnership for veterans services through VLSP clinics.
• LevittQuinn Family Law CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership providing quarterly family law consultations for veterans 4 times per year.
• Law Offices of Gary S. GreenemajorGTM or Marketing PartnerGary S. Greene founded the LA Lawyers Philharmonic and supports CFJ through music events benefiting the organization.
• LACBA Armed Forces CommitteecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommittee that helped establish the Veterans Legal Services Project in 2011 and continues to sponsor veterans events.
• Reed Smith LLPmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerLaw firm sponsor for Golf for Justice tournament and Law Rocks event.
• GlassRatnermajorGTM or Marketing PartnerChampion Sponsor for Immigration Campaign and sponsor for 5K Run/Walk.
• ProskauermajorGTM or Marketing PartnerChampion Sponsor for Community Impact Awards and Domestic Violence Project sponsor.
• Latham & WatkinsmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerJustice Sponsor for 2026 Community Impact Awards.
• Arnold & PortermajorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor for Community Impact Awards and Domestic Violence Project supporter.
• Alston & BirdmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor for Community Impact Awards and Domestic Violence Awareness Month supporter.
• Davis Wright TremainemajorGTM or Marketing PartnerAdvocate Sponsor for 2026 Community Impact Awards.
• Clyde & ComajorGTM or Marketing PartnerSupporting Sponsor for Community Impact Awards.
• Saul Ewing LLPmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerSupporting Sponsor for Community Impact Awards and Domestic Violence supporter.
• Selman Leichenger Edson Hsu Newman & Moore LLPmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor for Golf for Justice tournament and Domestic Violence supporter.
• DLA PipermajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor for Veterans Project.
• Greenberg TraurigmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor for Veterans Project and recognized for veterans services.
• AILA Southern California ChaptercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdvocate Sponsor for Immigration Project MCLE training.
• Wells FargomajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor/logo partner for CFJ.
• Comcast NBCUniversalmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor/logo partner for CFJ.
• State Bar of CaliforniacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegulatory partner through the Legal Services Trust Fund for IOLTA funding.
• Constangy, Brooks, Smith & Prophete, LLPmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor for Law Rocks band and 5K Run/Walk event.
• AkinmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatinum Sponsor for Golf for Justice tournament.
• Jones DaymajorGTM or Marketing PartnerSilver Sponsor for Golf for Justice tournament.
• First LegalmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerBronze Sponsor for Golf for Justice tournament and Community Partner.
• Glaser WeilmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerBand member firm for Law Rocks event.
• Seals PhillipsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBand member firm for Law Rocks event.
• Beverly Hills Bar FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-beneficiary with CFJ for Music of America concert at Walt Disney Concert Hall.
• UCLA Herb Alpert School of MusicminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVenue partner for Chamber Music for Justice event at the Ostin Ensemble Room.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• Los Angeles County Bar Association (LACBA): Professional bar association that founded CFJ in 1963 and served as its sole member until August 2025. Comparable as the parent ecosystem that historically housed CFJ's programs and continues as its pro bono partner.

Emerging players

• National Immigration Law Center: National advocacy organization dedicated to defending and advancing the rights of immigrants with low income. Comparable through focus on immigration legal services and policy advocacy for the same client base as CFJ's Immigration Project.

Direct peers

• Veterans Legal Institute: California nonprofit providing pro bono legal services to veterans. Directly comparable as a 501(c)(3) providing veterans-focused legal aid including record clearing, housing, and family law services to military veterans.
• Bet Tzedek Legal Services: Los Angeles-based nonprofit legal aid organization providing free services to low-income communities. Directly comparable as a 501(c)(3) legal aid organization in LA serving immigrants, seniors, tenants, and families with volunteer attorneys.
• Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles (LAFLA): LA's largest legal aid nonprofit providing free civil legal services to low-income residents. Directly comparable as a 501(c)(3) legal aid organization serving the same Los Angeles client base across housing, family, immigration, and consumer matters.
• Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Los Angeles: LA-based nonprofit providing legal aid, advocacy, and education for Asian American and immigrant communities. Directly comparable as a 501(c)(3) legal aid organization providing immigration and civil legal services to LA's underserved populations.
• Inner City Law Center: LA-based nonprofit providing free legal services to homeless and low-income residents. Directly comparable as a LA nonprofit legal aid organization with significant overlap in housing/eviction defense and immigrant populations served.
• Public Counsel: Largest pro bono law firm in the United States, providing free legal services in Los Angeles. Directly comparable as a volunteer-powered legal aid nonprofit serving similar client populations including immigrants, domestic violence survivors, and low-income families.

Regional players

• California Rural Legal Assistance (CRLA): California statewide legal aid nonprofit serving rural and farmworker communities. Comparable as a California legal aid organization providing free civil legal services with similar IOLTA and state funding mechanisms.
• Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights of the San Fernando Valley: Los Angeles-area nonprofit providing pro bono legal services for civil rights matters. Comparable as a Southern California legal aid organization serving similar low-income and vulnerable populations through volunteer attorney programs.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/counselforjustice
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/counsel-for-justice
• Instagraminstagram.com/counselforjustice

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 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 Counsel for Justice - LACBA