Benefits & Public Charge Update

Join the LIBRE Project on Dec 14th to learn more about updates to public charge. Watch on Facebook Live at facebook.com/countyofsanmateo at 5 pm for English and 5:30 pm for Spanish

Únase al Proyecto LIBRE el 14 de diciembre para aprender más sobre las actualizaciones de la carga pública. Véalo en Facebook Live en facebook.com/countyofsanmateo a las 5 pm en inglés y a las 5:30 pm en español.

Legal Aid SMC Impact Report 2022

Your support increases access to important legal services for low-income communities across San Mateo County. On this National Philanthropy Day, we're grateful for all the people who come together to make 'Justice for All' a reality. Click below to read about the importance of legal services for low-income communities!

Medi-Cal changes aim to expand coverage for low-income Californians

 By Tim Clark

In the last several years, California has proposed or implemented three major changes to Medi-Cal that could add half a million Californians to its safety net health coverage program. Those changes—in one case updating financial rules that had been unchanged since 1989—resulted after steady advocacy from various advocacy programs including the Health Consumer Center of the Legal Aid Society of San Mateo County.

“These very welcome changes will make free or low-cost health care available through Medi-Cal to many deserving individuals, including seniors, persons with disabilities, and undocumented immigrants,” said Amira Elbeshbeshy, directing attorney and director of Legal Aid’s Health Consumer Center.

One change, which went into effect July 1, increased the amount of assets a Medi-Cal recipient may have and remain eligible from $2,000 to $130,000 per person or family member. Under the legislation, the asset limitation will be removed entirely in January 2024. Eligibility limits based on income, as opposed to assets, were increased in 2020.

The second reform, “share of cost” reform, is “the most exciting for us,” Elbeshbeshy said.

Here is how it worked before this reform: Medi-Cal recipients were required to pay their “share of cost” if their income exceeded $1,564 per month or $18,768 annually. If their income was even $1 over that level, their “share of cost” or monthly deductible was approximately $940, about two-thirds of their income. Those limits had not been adjusted since 1989.

After years of lobbying, Medi-Cal advocates won $31 million in California’s 2022-23 state budget to address the problematic share of cost. The change is scheduled to go into effect in January 2025. Under the current Covid public health emergency, still in effect, the state is not taking any taking any actions that would downgrade coverage for current Medi-Cal recipients.

To illustrate the “share of cost” issue, staff attorney Camille Nguyen cited a recent client whose income is only $71 over the current limit. This woman was recently diagnosed with cancer and is about to start chemotherapy. Under the proposed Medi-Cal reform she would have a share cost of $71 rather than the $1,015 cost that she is currently responsible for.

Finally, as of May 1, Medi-Cal has added coverage for undocumented immigrants aged 50 and older. Previous changes covered children and young adults through age 25. The latest action leaves a coverage gap for undocumented individuals between ages 26 to 49. That last gap for undocumented immigrants is slated to be closed in 2024, but other coverage gaps remain in the complex Medi-Cal program.

To inform San Mateo County residents of these changes, the Health Consumer Center collaborates with other health law programs through the statewide Health Consumer Alliance as well as the Health Plan of San Mateo, the managed care plan for Medi-Cal recipients in the county, to outreach to the community.

Ironically, California’s worst public health emergency in decades indirectly boosted Legal Aid’s ability to work on legislative changes: Because of the pause on Medi-Cal negative actions for current recipients, the Health Consumer Center was seeing fewer Medi-Cal clients, freeing more of the staff’s time for legislative work and for other practice areas. The practice is now focusing more on medical debt, improper billing, and charity care under the federal Hospital Fair Pricing Act, working with San Mateo Medical Center, the county’s public hospital.

If the unit’s work sounds like a cross between legal work and social policy, it reflects the background of director Elbeshbeshy. After earning her law degree from Fordham and working for several years in New York City, she got a master's degree in Social Work from University of Southern California (USC).

“This is the perfect job to apply my education as a lawyer and a social worker,” she says. In her social work internship, Elbeshbeshy was told not to address certain legal issues—just leave that to the lawyers. Nowadays, she doesn’t hear that anymore.

31st Annual Legal Aid SMC Golf Classic

By Tim Clark

On a Monday in July, where do you find:

• Two score lawyers in shorts?

• Two athletic young women in golf skirts?

• A Googler in Tartan plus-fours (Scottish golf pants)?

• A Legal Aid department head serving as valet, then packing clubs to fill a foursome?

At the Stanford golf course, of course, for the 31st Annual Legal Aid Golf Classic, a fundraiser for the Legal Aid Society of San Mateo County.  “One of the appeals of the tournament is that it’s hard to get onto the Stanford course,” said Ronald Garrrity, co-chair of the event for his 20th year.

The 80 entrants had a shotgun start (every foursome started at a different hole), where some 40 electric golf carts cruised to various starting tees. Scoring was done on the Golf Genius smartphone app, with personal tech support for the less tech-savvy. At the shotgun start, a golf marshal for the course headed out with his small dog in the cart. Teams of four comprised not only attorneys but their clients, business associates and local caring individuals.

Players headed to the first tee were immediately diverted, as were all later golfers. The first hole was closed for irrigation work, so instead players went to Hole 19, a temporary diversion of barely more than 100 yards, shorter than most par 3s on the course.

On the course, liquid refreshments were stationed at approximately every fourth hole. Except, as one group complained, the beer was gone by the time their foursome arrived at beer stations. Another team from the same law firm, which had played just ahead of the thirsty golfers, admitted that perhaps they had left too few brews for their compatriots.

On the course, there were myriad competitions, in addition to lowest score in two divisions: Longest drive, straightest drive, closest to pin and an $8,000 cash award for a hole-in-one, a reward that went unpaid.

Then there was an unacknowledged competition for the day’s highest score (not a good thing in golf), which ended in a tie and thus a kind of victory. “Our firm always finishes last in this tournament,” said a golfer who had shown up early to rent clubs to play. “We weren’t last but tied for last.”  

Emcee for the awards dinner was the inevitable Tom Vacar, the KTVU-TV reporter who has handled that task for multiple Legal Aid tournaments, himself a lawyer. (Tom’s Channel 2 bio says he hasn’t taken a sick day since 1981, an enviable record.)

The dinnertime raffle excited almost as much interest as the prizes, understandable with one lucky player winning a Baccarat crystal Zodiac boar. One golfer, admitting that he was unprepared for his wedding anniversary the next day, thrilled slightly to win a $25 gift certificate from Godfathers Burger Lounge but then scored three bottles of Trefethen wine.

The prized competition was a team challenge for lowest score in two divisions, Senior and Regular. Not just lowest score but second, third and fourth lowest score. By the time the fourth place Senior prize was announced, there was barely a golfer over 50 who had not been awarded.

The games were not just in fun but to ensure that Legal Aid SMC can offer guidance and free legal representation when our neighbors need it most. By improving access to tenant protections, immigration relief, food assistance, and other safety net systems, we improve the quality of life for everyone in our community.

Legal Aid Society SMC ‘And Justice for All Awards Luncheon’ - A beautiful May Day at the Four Seasons at East Palo Alto May 13, 2022 – Celebrating the work for justice in 2022.

By Tim Clark
Photos by Katie Anne Rodriguez

For Hannah Gordon, her keynote to the Legal Aid Society of San Mateo County’s 25th annual “And Justice for All” luncheon, was something of a homecoming. Four decades ago, her mother, Pat Kernighan,  had served as a staff attorney at the very same Legal Aid agency.

“Our duty is to make the world better and not worse. No matter how difficult the struggle, it is not for nothing,” Ms. Gordon, Chief Legal and Administrative Officer of the San Francisco 49ers football team, told attendees at the annual awards and fund-raising luncheon at Four Seasons Hotel in East Palo Alto, on a sunny lunch time May 13.

“We can only be as strong as our legal system,” said Ms. Gordon, who had originally committed to speak to the pandemic-cancelled 2021 luncheon.  

“Our country is supposed to work for everyone, and that is where you come in,” the Oakland native and Stanford Law School graduate challenged attorneys and staff as she ducked into the luncheon, resplendent in power pink pantsuit, from her maternity leave away from the 49ers. Her day job involves advising on all legal issues concerning the 49ers and Levi’s Stadium. She also leads the team’s community impact division, which supports co-ed youth football programs and STEAM education.

“The activism of your youth or your life is not so much an act of altruism but of patriotism. May you continue to struggle for your clients and by extension for our community and country. May you continue to win freedom for this generation; it is not for nothing.”

After Ms. Gordon’s glittering keynote, the rest of the luncheon focused on honoring winners of Legal Aid’s annual awards:

Hope Nakamura: Legal Aid’s directing attorney, with 34 years of service, received the George R. Corey-Linda M Gemello Award as an attorney who exemplifies a commitment to work every day to obtain justice for all. Recognized statewide as an expert on law around government safety net benefits, she oversees LASSMC’s practices in public charge and LIBRE, Linking Immigrants to Benefits Resources and Education Project. “Hope has shifted the legal practice and strategy in response to changes in the community and changes in the law,” said M. Stacey Hawver, Legal Aid’s executive director.

Jones Day: The Guardian of Justice award went to law firm Jones Day, which in late 2020, during the heart of the pandemic, reached out to Legal Aid to offer pro bono services to the Domestic Violence  Collaborative. Some 34 attorneys and professional staff have been trained to represent domestic violence survivors, and in 2021, Jones Day took on five challenging domestic violence cases. “I’m amazed at the strength and resiliency of the clients,” said Kapri Saunders, accepting the award for Jones Day. 

Joel Silver: A patent attorney for biotech firm Gilead Sciences, Silver received the Dorothy M. Wolfe Award for his pro bono work over the past eight years. “Joel handled 19 domestic violence cases for us while working as in-house counsel without the backing of a large pro bono support system,” said Stephanie Bilinski, Legal Aid’s pro bono director. “He has stepped in on cases that have become difficult, mentored other attorneys and done amazing work.”

Nuestra Casa Promotoras Team: The Natalie T. Lanam Award for service to Legal Aid went to the community outreach team at Nuestra Casa, a grassroots nonprofit in East Palo Alto. Initially focused on health care and adapting a model developed in Latin America, Promotoras has evolved to include a broader set of services, ranging from voter registration, census surveys, food, housing and health insurance to Covid prevention and vaccinations. “They are the bridge to our Spanish-speaking communities that provide the necessary services we often take for granted,” said Jonathan Garcia, supervising attorney for the LIBRE program. Named honorees included Amada Espinoza, Cynthia Mari Castro, Maria Teresa Lopez, Maria Guerra, Martha Rosales, Miriam Tarracena, Yudelzka Estebes, Martha Ortega, Isabel Ochoa, Araceli Agustin, Rosa Adame, Angelica Reyes, Adriana Agustin, Roselia Aguirre and Maritza Leal.

Shirley Gibson: A moment of silence was observed in memory of the late Shirley Gibson, Legal Aid’s directing attorney for housing, who passed away in 2021. ““Shirley was a brilliant visionary, weaving together complex strategies involving litigation, tenant outreach, community organizing, and public policy advocacy to further housing equity,” said Ms. Hawver. “And she was funny—how we miss her humor! We were honored and privileged to work with Shirley.”

Shirley Gibson tributes pair work accomplishments with her humanity

By Tim Clark

Shirley Gibson was many things—fierce advocate, patient teacher, brilliant attorney, mentor to many, stalwart colleague, and exposer of liars. But those who worked with her pair praise of her legal accomplishments with observations about her humanity: Hilarious, humble, deeply principled, empathetic, tactful, self-deprecating, outgoing, exceptionally compassionate, and a down-home Mississippi soul.

“Shirley blazed like the sun,” wrote tenant attorney Monique Doryland, as vividly as any of Shirley’s many colleagues and community partners who offered quotes for this article.

Her career was too brief, shortened by breast cancer that finally took her at age 49. Born in Mississippi and a graduate of Reed College, she studied law at the New College of California School of Public Interest Law in San Francisco. She began her career as a public interest attorney with the Eviction Defense Collaborative. In 2007, she joined the Legal Aid Society of San Mateo County to develop its housing program, rising to directing attorney in 2011.

Shirley was a community-minded collaborator, litigating housing justice cases with co-counsel across the state and working on projects with government agencies, social services organizations, and tenant advocates while building Legal Aid SMC’s eviction defense practice. Her teammates outside as well as inside Legal Aid SMC offered testimonials.

Tenants’ rights were at the core of Shirley’s legal practice, starting with her first public interest law job with Eviction Defense Collaborative.

“I knew her in the 90s at the Eviction Defense Collaborative, and then she jumped in to help on disaster issues as well. It seemed like she was everywhere. What I so appreciated about Shirley was how much she knew and did, and yet how self-deprecating she was. She managed to teach you things while somehow making you feel like you were still smart and knew things, and thus empowering you to actually become smart and know things.”—Tiela Chalmers, Alameda County Bar Association and Legal Access Alameda

“We had to work Christmas Eve one time, and I'll never forget how Shirley brought us all food and drink to show us her appreciation.”—Ryan D. Murphy, Eviction Defense Collaborative

When Shirley came to Legal Aid SMC in 2007, more than half of eviction cases filed by San Mateo County landlords were uncontested, meaning tenants received default judgments and were rapidly displaced. Within a few years, thanks to Shirley’s vision and hard work, the default rate in San Mateo County eviction cases had fallen to 35%.

“Shirley was an amazing, selfless advocate. She had such an enormous impact on the lives of tenants in San Mateo County, first by leading a team that significantly reduced the default rate in eviction cases and then by building on that work to help create a strong network of lawyers and organizers working together to fight displacement and homelessness in Silicon Valley. She was a mentor and ally for us as we built our own housing team and worked collaboratively with Shirley to defend tenants. Shirley had a wry sense of humor, an amazing memory for minute details about civil procedure and landlord-tenant law, and quick insight about how we can all do better for our clients. Her influence on a generation of tenants rights' advocates in the Bay Area -- and throughout California -- was real.”—Jason Tarricone, Community Legal Services in East Palo Alto

As Shirley was building her housing team at Legal Aid SMC in the late 2000s, the foreclosure crisis turned many former homeowners into tenants at risk of eviction by out-of-town banks.

“I first got to know Shirley during the foreclosure crisis when I was just starting out and we were all trying to defend against these big corporate monster banks. She would take everything to trial and prove the process servers were liars on the stand. We all knew they were lying but she was the one who held them accountable. She inspired me to fight harder and be more courageous in my advocacy. Shirley was so fierce, such a badass and such a warrior for our clients – and also an incredibly kind person and wonderful friend.”—Madeline Howard, Western Center on Law & Poverty

One of Shirley’s key legal battles was a class action lawsuit that protected more than 80 lowincome families living in a Redwood City mobile home park from illegal rent increases.

“I always felt incredibly honored to have worked closely with Shirley on a case fighting to protect mobile home residents from abusive, exploitative rent increases. Over five years of litigation, I had the privilege of witnessing Shirley’s smarts, incredible humor and wit, and ferocity on behalf of her clients. And of course, got an education in an array of Mississippi sayings. Her passing feels like a punch in the gut.”—Navneet Grewal, Disability Rights California

“All of us at Western Center considered ourselves fortunate to work with Shirley. She was smart, diligent and committed to doing what was best for her clients. But it is much more important to speak of Shirley, the person, rather than Shirley, the attorney. She was kind, deeply principled and funny at the same time. Who knew that Unitarians could be such good company. Shirley often spoke with such pride of her husband and her two children. We will miss her.”—Robert Newman, Western Center on Law & Poverty

Shirley led a challenge to the City of Pacifica’s 2019 ordinance barring oversized vehicles from parking on many streets. Concerned about the impact of the ban on vulnerable residents living in their recreational vehicles, Shirley invited civil rights advocates to join the fight.

“She told me, ‘I would hate to let this slide.’ She did not let it slide, and we had the privilege of litigating this case with her through its settlement and her passing. Shirley was a fierce and compassionate advocate for our clients and the houseless of San Mateo County. She was also an amazing colleague – smart and passionate, but also always witty and fun, and exceptionally humble despite her vast experience, knowledge, and history of cutting-edge advocacy. We have lost one of the greats in the legal profession, and we have lost a dear friend.”—Thomas Zito, Disability Rights Advocates

“From the very beginning, we knew we had the best advocate and leader imaginable in Shirley. She was passionate, committed, and determined. She cared deeply about the dignity of our clients, and her knowledge and insights made us a far better team. Although it’s clear now that she must have been very ill throughout our work, her energy never let up, and she maintained her high spirits, sharp wit, and wonderful sense of humor throughout. The legal profession has lost a superb practitioner, people in San Mateo County who are fighting for housing have lost a wonderful champion, and we have lost a dear friend. Rest in power, Shirley.”—William S. Freeman, ACLU Foundation of Northern California

Shirley collaborated with Redwood City officials and community members through the Partnership for the Bay’s Future, a regional effort to advance housing solutions.

“Shirley was integral to so many housing efforts in our community. She had a wonderful combination of knowledge, empathy and tact that invariably led to stuff getting done.”— Margaret Becker, Redwood City Housing and Human Concerns Committee

“Shirley never shied away from the difficult work of helping tenants and the unhoused, not only helping the tenants but also any advocate who needed it. She was an empathic and compassionate lawyer with a strong work ethic. This is a tremendous loss for all of us who knew her personally and for all the unhoused residents and tenants whose lives were made immeasurably better by the work that Shirley poured her heart and soul into. We'll honor her by continuing to advocate as fiercely as she did.”—One Redwood City

“I am very grateful to work with and learn from Shirley over the years. I admire how intelligent, collaborative, passionate and empathetic she was. She was a great community partner and a huge asset to the Redwood City community and broader San Mateo County.”—Alin Lancaster, City of Redwood City

“She embodied what it meant to be a champion for the underserved. I was always impressed by how skillfully she could take action on what needed to be done in the short term while never losing sight of the long-term arc of our housing work. Our whole team at the Partnership for the Bay's Future mourns Shirley's passing.”—Aysha Pamukcu, San Francisco Foundation

Shirley’s work in the community and the courtroom flowed beyond those she directly touched.

“Shirley will be remembered as a fearless advocate for our immigrant community, and by me for her tireless work for the residents of 855 Barron Avenue Mobile Home park. Shirley was an expert on the myriad and complex state laws regarding tenant protection, and she often shared very helpful thoughts/suggestions on what the County might do in this space, including in response to the COVID 19 public health emergency.”—Supervisor Warren Slocum, San Mateo County Board of Supervisors

“We can't underestimate Shirley's national reach either. An attorney from Legal Aid in west Texas convinced me to track down the paper copy of an abstract of judgment against her client who had relocated from California because she went to law school with Shirley, and ‘Shirley said you'd help.’"—Oliver Ehlinger, Legal Services of Northern California

Shirley’s singular presence left a mark on many others whose paths she crossed.

“Shirley Gibson is a giant. In the brief time I worked with her back when I was at the Stanford Community Law Clinic, she became one of my favorite people in the world – she knew everything, she was so generous with her time, and her laugh! It was infectious. No matter how bananas a case, she approached it with good humor, and made an enormous difference in countless lives - those of her clients and her colleagues. I wish I had told her what a difference she made in mine.”—Nisha Vyas, Western Center on Law & Poverty

“As an attorney and advocate, Shirley was brilliant, creative, and fearless. As a colleague and friend, she was all of those things but also kind, supportive, humble, and truly hilarious. I echo others' reflections that Shirley had an amazing way of making people feel valued and appreciated. She was one of my all-time heroes.”—Melissa A. Morris, The Public Interest Law Project

“I knew her for many years through Faith in Action and I am very sad that she is no longer with us. Shirley was a dedicated and talented attorney, but her true gift to the community was how she served the community - with her presence and understanding, her love for people and her dedication and passion for justice. May the goodness she put out into the world, ripple out to people and places we may never know.”—Ellen Hage

Among those she regularly collaborated with, Shirley built strong bonds.

“Shirley was such an amazing woman, fierce advocate, and all-around intelligent, gentle, caring human being. She continued to battle and advocate for our community to the very end, guiding us in how to best help our folks stay housed in spite of the pandemic. We will carry her spirit forward as we continue her legacy. She has certainly left her mark on me as an individual, our community center, our colleagues in the City and County, and on our community. We are all blessed for having known her.”—Teri Chin, Fair Oaks Community Center

“I will never forget working with Shirley on the creation of the Rural Justice Initiative to do housing pro bono clinics on the coast of San Mateo County. Her good humor, strategic thinking, brilliance, and commitment to clients and the work shone through every moment. In working out of mobile units jam-packed full of books and random supplies in the parking lot of a partner organization, she was unflappable and fully dedicated. The legal aid world is less vibrant without her and there is a huge gap that will not be filled.”—Julia R. Wilson, The John Paul Stevens Fellowship Foundation

“Shirley was a wonderful person and a determined advocate. Shirley was one of those people who, through sheer force of will, could make the impossible happen. She was an incredibly effective advocate for housing rights and social justice. We are so grateful for the time we spent together - learning from her, being inspired by her, and cheering her on as she made our world more just.”—Phil Hwang, OneJustice

“Shirley was an inspiration to me. She was a rare combination of conviction, exceptional ability, kindness, and grace. She helped so many people live with dignity. The people who worked with her adored her. She will be missed at Legal Aid.”—Janice Tam, Legal Aid SMC Board

Shirley’s clients were grateful to have her standing beside them as they fought for their homes.

“Thank you for donating to my go-fund-me account. I’m putting up prayers everyday for you to continue kicking landlord asses.”—card from client

“I’m so sorry to hear about Shirley’s passing. She was like the tall Viking warrior woman on Game of Thrones. We will miss her so very very much.”—voicemail from client

Shirley inspired a new generation of public interest attorneys.

“I am grateful that I was able to work under and learn from Shirley at Legal Aid during my first year as a lawyer. She approached her work as a tenants' rights advocate with incredible dedication, passion, and joy. I will keep my memories of her and the lessons that she taught me for the rest of my career. Thank you, Shirley.”—Ashley Luo, Legal Aid SMC Orrick Fellow 2021

“I learned so much from Shirley when I had the opportunity to work with her during my 1L summer. As the official “biggest pain in the ass in the entire state of California,” she was an inspiration to many young public interest lawyers who aspire to be zealous advocates for the underserved. I consider myself very lucky to have learned from her.”—Leah Kennedy, Legal Aid SMC Carl L. McConnell Summer Fellow 2020

“Shirley brought love, warmth, joy, and brilliance to everything she did. Her joyful attitude towards life and service was contagious and irresistible. When supervising, she fostered a supportive and growth-oriented culture among her team. At the weekly housing clinics, she set the tone for creating a welcoming and nurturing space for tenants seeking assistance, often in crisis. She modeled how to treat each client with humanity, empathy, and humility. When representing clients, she consistently demonstrated how to be a fierce advocate for those that needed it most. She inspired those around her to be better advocates and better humans. She embodied the meaning of service. She generously gave all she could as an attorney, colleague, mentor, and friend. She impacted and influenced so many around her in the best possible way.” —Lacei Amodei, Legal Aid SMC Project Coordinator 2016-2018, aspiring attorney

“Shirley was my supervisor when I was a Skadden Fellow a decade ago. She taught me so much about life and lawyering. In reflecting on her passing, I keep remembering a quote usually attributed to Fred Rogers: "Frankly, there isn't anyone you couldn't learn to love once you've heard their story." Shirley embodied that spirit. She loved all people, and she encountered each person she met with compassion, never judgment. In fact, the more broken, damaged, or downtrodden a client was, the more Shirley embraced them. But it wasn't some white lady savior thing. Rather, I think for Shirley it was a recognition that our imperfections, flaws, and failures make us human but do not detract from our value, beauty, or worthiness of love.”— Larisa Bowman, Legal Aid SMC Skadden Fellow 2011-2013

Those who had the privilege of working with Shirley every day admired and adored her.

“Shirley was the heart of Legal Aid's Housing Team for fourteen years, an outstanding advocate for vulnerable people at risk of losing their housing, and a passionate voice for stronger protections for tenants in San Mateo County and across the state. She was an amazing colleague and a strong supporter of her staff. Shirley will be sorely missed, taken way before her time when she still had so much to give; but we can all go forward carrying on the work for the cause that she lived for, in her honor, and using her energy and passion as our inspiration.”—David Carducci, Legal Aid SMC

“Shirley carried the torch for the next generation of change-makers who commit their whole selves to making their communities a better place. She inspired many with her courage, her intelligence, her wit, and her grace.”—Hope Nakamura, Legal Aid SMC

“From the moment I heard that Shirley Gibson had applied for a housing attorney position at the Legal Aid Society of San Mateo County, I was thrilled! I knew Shirley was a graduate of New College and a student of Ora Prochovnick who was one of her references. Stacey asked my opinion and I was a firm yes! I knew she would be the one to grow the housing program that our clients needed! And she did, of course with her steadiness, her willingness to mentor new attorneys and her fierce commitment to justice! Though she left us too soon she has left a legacy and a strong housing program that will continue on into the future. Thank you Shirley for being the amazing person you were and for sharing that with the rest of the world.” —Janet Seldon, Legal Aid SMC 2005-2020

“Everyone reading this knows that Shirley was an amazing lawyer, but she was an even better friend. We met at Legal Aid in 2007 and have been friends ever since. Shirley’s life provides a roadmap anyone would be lucky to follow: Surround yourself with people you love and who love you, use your talents to make the world a better place, never miss a chance to help someone in need, give generously, take risks, be humble, trust that tiaras go with everything, always have a good book at hand, and find the humor in everything.” —Amanda Barden, Legal Aid SMC 2007-2012

"I had the privilege of closely working with Shirley for over five years. From my very first day, I realized how much of an amazing woman she was – smart, strong, funny, gentle, and most of all, caring. She cared for everyone – family, friends, work colleagues and clients. What made Shirley truly special was that she made people feel cared for. I vividly remember the way she provided legal advice to our clients at our housing clinics and outreach events. She patiently responded to every question each client had, and clients felt heard, understood, and helped. She gave her all – her heart and her soul – to everything she did at the office, from planning someone's welcome party to arguing a summary judgment motion in Court for a class action lawsuit. The moment I heard that we had lost Shirley, I felt an emptiness and my heart broke. But I soon realized that her love, energy, enthusiasm, and passion will live with us and through us forever, and that we must continue fighting the good fight. Most of the things I know about housing eviction defense, I learned from Shirley. This is not an ending, but a beginning. Much love to you Shirley Elizabeth Gibson. We miss you dearly over here!" —Maria Chatterjee, Legal Aid SMC

“Shirley was a visionary, that rare person who both saw the big picture and could connect disparate pieces to make her vision a reality. She was the quintessential public interest attorney, equally at home arguing arcane details of mobile home law and explaining to a group of clergy why rental assistance for landlords was good for their congregants. She was a dedicated partner, working with other housing advocates to ensure sure scarce legal resources were focused on low-income tenants who couldn’t afford to lose their homes. I was privileged to work alongside Shirley for fourteen years. She was a brilliant and inspiring leader who taught me so much about building and nurturing a team. I will miss her vision, her wisdom, her fire, her kindness, and her humor.”—Stacey Hawver, Legal Aid SMC

“All of us who knew Shirley knew her to be the fiercest, funniest, and most generous colleague and friend we could ever have dreamed of. I personally learned everything I know from her, and I know I'm not alone. Carrying on without her is vaguely unimaginable, and yet I know we must and that she'd want nothing else. May her memory be a blessing. Onward.”—Juliet M. Brodie, Stanford Law School