Counsel For Justice Announces New Board Of Directors For 2025-2026 Term

LOS ANGELES, CA – July 1, 2025 – Counsel for Justice (CFJ) is pleased to announce its new Board of Directors, who will serve for the term beginning July 1, 2025, and concluding June 30, 2026. This esteemed group of legal and community leaders will guide CFJ's mission to promote access to justice for underserved communities across Los Angeles.

The work of Counsel for Justice has never been more critical than it is today," stated Diane Kimberlin, Board Chair. "In a landscape where policy shifts and evolving legal challenges can disproportionately impact vulnerable populations, CFJ stands as a vital pillar of support. Our new Board is unified in its commitment to empowering individuals navigating complex legal situations, ensuring that the promise of justice remains accessible to all. We are ready to lead CFJ through this pivotal period, expanding our reach and reinforcing our commitment to a more equitable Los Angeles."

The new Board of Directors includes:

Executive Committee

  • Diane Kimberlin – President 

  • Wes W. Kennedy – President-Elect (First Legal) 

  • Brian Condon – Executive Vice President (Arnold & Porter) 

  • John Clark – Senior Vice President (Wells Fargo Bank - Legal Department) 

  • Shawn S. Ledingham – Vice President (Proskauer) 

  • Anne Nash – Vice President/Secretary (Carbon Activated Corporation) 

  • Susan Koehler Sullivan – Vice President (Clyde & Co) 

  • Lilit Asadourian – Vice President (Barnes & Thornburg) 

  • Juan Torres – Treasurer (Musick Peeler) 

  • Lana Manganiello – Immediate Past President (Practice Growth Partner)

Directors

  • Susan Agopian (Lateral Link) 

  • Matthew Baker (Saul Ewing) 

  • Nestor Barrero (Constangy, Brooks, Smith & Prophete) 

  • Jennifer Benjamin (B. Riley Advisory Services) 

  • Janette Blair (Sony Pictures Entertainment) 

  • Jennifer Bonneville (Alston & Bird) 

  • Robb Caruso (Elevate) 

  • Ryan Estes (DLA Piper) 

  • Colleen Hart (Proskauer) 

  • David Kutzer (Cresa) 

  • Beverly Lu (CBRE - Legal Department) 

  • Neal Marder (Akin) 

  • Eric McDonough (Dickinson Wright) 

  • Lauren Movsesian (Sempra Energy) 

  • Jibraun Riaz (Davis Wright Tremaine) 

  • Jessica Soriano (Clark Hill) 

  • Jennifer Terry (Reed Smith) 

  • Lauren Wertheimer (Vedder Price) 

  • Alex Wyman (Latham & Watkins) 

  • Hee Sung Yoon (Selman Leichenger Edson Hsu Newman & Moore) 

  • Hon. Laurie Zelon (Judicate West)

The diverse expertise and unwavering dedication of this new Board will be instrumental in advancing CFJ's strategic goals and expanding its crucial pro bono services in immigration, domestic violence, veterans' support, and housing justice initiatives.

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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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