Counsel For Justice Hires Habiba Simjee As First Director Of Pro Bono Services

LOS ANGELES, CA – June 12, 2025 –Counsel for Justice (CFJ), the pro bono partner of the Los Angeles County Bar Association (LACBA), is pleased to announce the hiring of Habiba Simjee as its first Director of Pro Bono, effective May 30, 2025.

"We are very excited to welcome Habiba to the Counsel for Justice team," said Diane Trunk, Deputy Executive Director. "Her deep commitment to justice and extensive experience in immigration legal services will be invaluable as we expand our pro bono efforts and continue to serve our most vulnerable communities. Habiba's vision will undoubtedly strengthen our ability to connect skilled volunteer attorneys with those in critical need."

In her new role, Habiba will lead and expand CFJ's comprehensive pro bono programs, develop new volunteer initiatives, and strengthen partnerships to maximize legal impact across Los Angeles. She will be instrumental in enhancing the efficiency and reach of CFJ's free legal services.

"I am honored and thrilled to join Counsel for Justice and contribute to its vital mission," said Habiba Simjee. "I look forward to working with the dedicated team and our passionate volunteer attorneys and students to build upon CFJ's legacy of providing essential legal support and fostering a more equitable justice system for all."

Habiba brings a wealth of experience in direct legal services, education, and advocacy for vulnerable populations. She began her legal career at the intersection of immigrant rights and access to higher education, providing free immigration legal services to undocumented and mixed-status students and families within the University of California system. This included work at the UC Immigrant Legal Services Center at UCLA and, previously, at UC Santa Barbara, where she also served as the inaugural Undocumented Student Services program director. Since 2023, Habiba has further contributed to legal education as an adjunct professor at the University of La Verne College of Law & Public Service, teaching immigration law and co-professoring in the Justice and Immigration Clinic. Her extensive work has also encompassed advocating for refugees, asylum-seekers, unaccompanied children, and youth in the juvenile justice system. Her most recent role was as Program Director at OneJustice, where she provided training, coaching and support to leaders in the legal aid sector. Habiba earned her law degree from Berkeley Law and completed her undergraduate education at UC San Diego.

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