By Tim Clark
Reaching back to a European government minister’s words, Legal Aid keynoter Paul Grewal quoted from a preamble to a conversation on cryptocurrency and regulation, a focus of Grewal’s work as chief legal officer of Coinbase Global, a San Francisco-based cryptocurrency exchange.
“I have a particular interest in how legal services are provided to your poor and disadvantaged,” the anonymous minister told Grewal. “It appears to me that only the United States has as robust a system of legal aid that is supported by volunteer efforts of attorneys, funded largely from the private sector in addition to the public.”
“Your system of Legal aid is really for people who need the help, and it is the envy of the world,” Grewal quoted the minister, adding for himself: “Legal aid is at the core of what makes the legal system work.”
Grewal likewise remarked on his current advisory role to Gov. Gavin Newsom helping appoint judges. Reflecting on his years as a federal magistrate, “I’ve been trying to focus on how well this person would relate to people who have no legal representation, when somebody shows up at the courthouse and they’re looking for help. Are the people we are appointing as judges able to sit on that bench and connect with people before them who do not have a lawyer?”
Grewal addressed the 26th annual “And Justice for All” luncheon of the Legal Aid Society of San Mateo County, held May 19 at Four Seasons Hotel Silicon Valley, located in East Palo Alto.
The outdoor luncheon featured presentation of the 2023 annual awards, a video account of Legal Aid’s work for a housing client and fundraising appeals.
The video told the story of Esmeralda, an undocumented, non-English-speaking grandmother of three from South San Francisco, who received an eviction notice on her doorstep with just 30 days ahead of a threatened removal.
Unable to find legal help, Esmeralda turned at last to Legal Aid of San Mateo County, which first won a stay of execution to delay her eviction and then negotiated with the landlord to let her family and pets stay in their home.
Until she found Legal Aid, “Nobody wanted to take my case because the deadline had already expired,” Esmeralda said. “Legal Aid is here to guide us and stand up for us because sometimes we don’t do it because we are afraid of being deported.”
She added: “They don’t treat you badly because you are not paying. They make you feel like a rich person… and they speak to us with respect, as lawyers should.”
Among the 2023 award winners was Deborah Heller, who Heller was honored for taking 13 Legal Aid cases since October 2020, including domestic violence restraining orders, guardianships and conservatorships. Her cases included one in which five children had lost both their parents. Heller received the Dorothy M. Wolfe Award in memory of one of the first women attorneys in San Mateo County. “Across the board, Deborah’s clients rave about how kind and caring she is, even talking about how they feel like she is part of the family,” said Stephanie Bilinski, Legal Aid SMC Pro Bono Director
Other awards were presented to:
Latham & Watkins was awarded the Guardian of Justice Award for its continuing pro bono work through decades. To support its long-term commitment to pro bono work, Latham & Watkins uses experienced mentors who work with teams of younger volunteer lawyers. “They are really good partners,” said Bilinski. “They support a culture of pro bono, providing in-house mentorship to associates and allowing them the time to handle these difficult cases.”
Amira Elbeshbeshy, Legal Aid SMC Directing Attorney for the Health Consumer Center, received the George R. Corey – Linda M. Gemello Award. After practicing law for several years in New York, she took a detour, earning a Master of Social Work and then working as a clinical case manager at Alameda Family Services. She then joined Legal Aid to use her legal expertise to help people get the health care they need, rising rapidly to directing attorney. Her exceptional interpersonal skills distinguish her. “Amira is that person everyone in the office goes to for advice,” said Legal Aid executive director M. Stacey Hawver.
Coastside Hope, represented by executive director Judith Guerrero, received the Natalie T. Lanam Award as advocates of justice for all. The social service agency serves Half Moon Bay and areas northward. “Coastside Hope has been an indispensable partner to the LIBRE (Linking Immigrants to Benefits Resources and Education) program for 13 years,” said Jonathan Garcia, Legal Aid SMC Supervising Attorney. “They help us connect with residents on the coast, many of them Spanish-speaking farmworkers.”
In 2022, Legal Aid of San Mateo County opened 1,213 cases and
Stopped more than 161 evictions.
Recovered $567,752 for clients.
Educated more than 4,100 tenants on their housing rights.
Provided legal aid to 277 clients with disabilities.
Served clients in more than 10 languages.
Supported 606 households with children.
Trained 45 pediatric residents to recognize legal issues affecting patient health.
Conducted 180 outreach events.