2020 is the 20th anniversary of the Equal Justice Society. Every week leading up to our 20th anniversary celebration on September 17, we will highlight one year in our history. This week we remember 2001 and Elizabeth J. Cabraser and Jack W. Londen who both generously provided significant startup funding for EJS.
Shortly after our founding in 2000, the Equal Justice Society in 2001 got right to work, organizing “Reclaiming Progressive Justice,” a summit in Berkeley, and a forum series, “Justice During Wartime,” at the Berkeley, Hastings, and Santa Clara law schools to facilitate dialogue with students and professionals about the implications of 9/11.
At this time, EJS was a project of The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area with Eva Paterson, then the Executive Director of the Lawyers’ Committee, and Susan Serrano, who was the Thurgood Marshall Fellow at the Lawyers’ Committee also serving as EJS Research Director.
The Reclaiming Progressive Justice summit in 2001 would not have been possible without a considerable donation from Elizabeth J. Cabraser, a Partner at Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP.
At the summit, all the attendees expressed their support for EJS and the need for a full-time attorney. Morrison & Foerster Partner Jack W. Londen pledged a donation to cover Susan Serrano’s salary as Research Director. Because of Mr. Londen’s and his wife’s donation, Susan was able to transition more quickly into her EJS role.
In 2018, Ms. Cabraser provided us with another generous gift to help EJS reactivate its Judge Constance Baker Motley Civil Rights Fellowship.
Without Elizabeth Cabraser and Jack Londen, the Equal Justice Society would not exist. They are both treasured supporters, donors, and dear friends. We celebrate their ongoing support as we commemorate our 20th anniversary!
We welcome sponsorships to our 20th anniversary celebration on September 17, 2020, at Herbst Theatre in San Francisco. The evening will include performances by Marcus Shelby inspired by the courage of Harriet Tubman. Please contact Ginger Johnson at gjohnson@equaljusticesociety.org for more information. Thank you!