About Counsel for Justice

In 1963, LACBA formed the LA County Bar Foundation (The Foundation) to promote charitable activities within the legal community of Los Angeles. The Foundation raised money to support various pro bono legal services and other local organizations.

In 1975, LACBA and its Immigration Section created the Immigration Legal Assistance Project (ILAP). Located in the 300 North Los Angeles Federal Building, ILAP helps immigrants understand the complex immigration procedures in the United States, assists applicants apply for a variety of relief - including citizenship, green cards, work permits, travel permits, family unification, and navigate the myriad of new programs and enforcement priorities immigrants face.  ILAP serves over 7,000 people each year.

In 1986, the Domestic Violence Legal Services Project (DVP) was founded by the Barristers and others within LACBA. Today, DVP serves over 2,000 people each year in a walk-in clinic located on the second floor of the Stanley Mosk courthouse. Volunteers meet individually with survivors to provide legal information, forms preparation, and direct referrals to supportive services for survivors seeking domestic violence restraining orders.

Also in 1986, the Barristers and the Trusts & Estates Section of LACBA founded the AIDS Legal Services Project, one of the few organizations in LA devoted to the legal needs of the HIV-AIDS community.  ALSP met the legal needs of low-income people living with HIV and AIDS for over 35 years and was disbanded in 2024. 

In 2011, LACBA’s Armed Forces Committee and the LACBA Board of Trustees founded the Veterans Legal Services Project.  The VLSP began conducting monthly clinics for veterans at LA County Patriotic Hall, part of a collaboration between U.S. Vets and Los Angeles County to provide services to veterans. Today’s VLSP conducts regular remote clinics for veterans on various topics, including record-clearing and unlawful detainer.

In 2014, LACBA formed LACBA Counsel for Justice (CFJ) to consolidate LACBA’s charitable activities, including The Foundation and the Projects, under a single charitable corporation, with LACBA as its sole member. In 2016, CFJ became an IOLTA grantee, receiving funds from the California Legal Services Trust Fund. Ten years later, CFJ has a staff of 17 people and receives funds from individuals, law firms, and foundations, the U.S. Department of Justice, the City and County of Los Angeles, among other sources.