by Marcie Storch, Legal Aid's Director of Development
Marcie Storch (M) with featured guests, Margareth & granddaughter, Ambiance
Thank you to everyone who joined us on April 20 at the beautiful Four Seasons Silicon Valley Hotel at East Palo Alto for the 21st Annual "And Justice For All" Awards Luncheon. Over 200 people attended this annual event, a celebration of our community’s commitment to justice for all. We also thank all of our sponsors for their generosity.
Our afternoon began with a special video about a grandmother who wanted to become the legal guardian of her granddaughter. Check out the video here.
Keynote Speaker, Noreen Krall and Karen N. Ballack, Co-chair Awards Luncheon Committee
The audience was then moved by the remarks of exceptional keynote speaker Noreen Krall, VP, Chief Litigation Counsel, Apple, Inc.
The Legal Aid Society of San Mateo County proudly presented awards to this year’s three remarkable winners.
Legal Aid's Executive Director M. Stacey Hawver and Vera M. Elson, Pro Bono Partner, Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati
Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati received the Guardian of Justice Award. This award is given each year in recognition of volunteers whose efforts are steeped in a commitment to justice for all the children, families and seniors in our community.
“Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati recognizes how it is critical that low-income people with limited resources have access to quality legal services. Making those services available to people in need is the cornerstone of our pro bono program.” – Steve Guggenheim, co-head, Pro Bono Committee.
Dave Paliughi & Legal Aid Staff Attorney Michelle de Blank
The Natalie M. Lanam Award was presented to Dave Paliughi, Director, Special Education Department, Redwood City School District. This award is in memory of community leader Natalie M. Lanam whose passion for justice for all compelled her to become an important advocate for the Legal Aid Society of San Mateo County.
"Families with children with special needs go through so much. It is the aim of Redwood City School District to provide ALL students with a rich and dynamic educational experience.” – Dave Paliughi, Director, Special Education Department, Redwood City School District
The Team at Aaron, Riechert, Carpol & Riffle, APC
Aaron, Riechert, Carpol & Riffle, APC, received the Dorothy M. Wolfe Award. This award is in memory of one of the first women attorneys in San Mateo County, noted for her deep belief in equal access to justice. Dorothy Wolfe was an ardent supporter of the Legal Aid Society of San Mateo County throughout her career.
“Every lawyer has the duty to uphold the honor and standards of our profession, and improve not only the law but the fair administration of justice. In our system of justice, all litigants, rich and poor, must have counsel to assure that disputes are fairly resolved.” – Chuck Riffle
In a dollar-for-dollar match, the Legal Aid Board of Directors challenged the audience to raise $15,000, and you did it. Thanks to your generosity, Legal Aid will receive $15,000 from our Board of Directors for a total of $30,000.
Thanks to everyone! The Annual “And Justice For All" Awards Luncheon always proves to be a special reminder that as a community we can collectively fight social injustice through civil legal advocacy.