A Note from the AJSOCAL Pro Bono Team
As we head into spring, we are reminded every day of why this work matters. The communities we serve continue to face an uncertain and often challenging landscape, and the dedication of our volunteers, pro bono attorneys, and PBAC members has never been more important. At the same time, there is so much to celebrate. From impactful clinics to exciting events on the horizon, this edition of our newsletter reflects the incredible momentum our community continues to build together. We are grateful for every person who shows up, and we hope this update leaves you feeling as inspired as we do.
Clinic Recap: Emergency Preparedness Clinic | January 31, 2026
On January 31, 2026, teams from AJSOCAL, the Center for Asian Americans in Action (CAAA/CA3), Women for American Values and Ethics (WAVE), the Vietnamese American Cancer Foundation (VACF), and pro bono partners from Ballard Spahr LLP, O’Melveny & Myers LLP, and Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP came together at our Orange County office in Anaheim to help families prepare for the unexpected. The clinic ran from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM and served approximately 20 to 25 adult clients, including 16 attorney consultations, around 11 passport preparation appointments, and 7 to 10 notarization appointments, with services provided in Spanish, Mandarin, and Vietnamese. Approximately 15 minor children were also present and kept engaged in a dedicated Kids Activity Room while their parents met with attorneys.
What made this clinic especially meaningful was the one-stop-shop experience it offered. In a single visit, a client could sit down for a 60-minute private attorney consultation, get two or three documents notarized, and still make it to the passport table, all in one morning. That kind of comprehensive, accessible support in one place is rare and exactly what our communities need right now.
Two moments from the day captured the heart of why this work matters. A mother of a 12-week-old baby came to the clinic with her own mother, still recovering postpartum, determined to make sure her child would be protected. And several volunteer attorneys drove in from Los Angeles because being part of this clinic mattered to them. In moments like these, it is deeply moving to see people give their time, energy, and heart so that families can feel a little safer and more supported. It was a powerful reminder that when community comes together with care and urgency, families leave not just with documents in hand, but with a little more peace of mind.
We are so grateful to every volunteer, partner, and supporter who made this clinic a success, and we are already looking forward to doing it again this spring.
Volunteer Opportunities Webpage Update
We have refreshed our Volunteer Opportunities page with new updates that make it easier than ever to browse and find the right opportunity for you. Whether you are an attorney looking to take on a pro bono case, a law student seeking hands-on experience, or a community member ready to lend your time and skills, our page is your one-stop shop for everything volunteer related. Check out the latest opportunities and get started today at ajsocal.org/volunteer.
PBAC Spotlight: Q&A with Jackson Pai
When Jackson first connected with AJSOCAL over a decade ago, it started the way many great things do: through a friend, a lunch in Century City, and a gala that opened his eyes to the depth of work being done for the community. After reconnecting with Christina Yang, our Pro Bono Director and General Counsel, at the first in-person gala following the pandemic, he jumped into a pro bono project on anti-Asian hate and has not looked back since. We sat down with Jackson to hear about his journey, his work, and what keeps him coming back.
Tell us about some of the work you have done with AJSOCAL. My first project was on anti-Asian hate, calling individuals who reported incidents to offer resources and assistance. That was when I first realized how much AJSOCAL does for the community, but unfortunately, it is never enough. Most recently, I helped draft a brief in an immigration case involving an Afghan refugee whose journey to the U.S. can be the basis of a movie. His courage and persistence in the face of tremendous obstacles were deeply inspiring, and everyone at AJSOCAL involved did incredible work. I am especially excited about the recent joint initiatives AJSOCAL has undertaken to support the LGBTQ+ community and look forward to helping when the opportunity arises.
Can you walk us through the immigration work you have been involved in? My colleagues and I helped AJSOCAL attorneys and staff draft a brief on behalf of an Afghan refugee who is part of the ethnic Hazara minority group. He and his family fled to Iran when he was young because of killings of Hazaras in Afghanistan but faced severe discrimination there in education and job opportunities. He eventually came to the U.S. by way of Brazil. Within about six months we researched the treatment of Hazaras in Afghanistan and Iran, clarified factual points to draft a supplemental testimony, engaged experts to submit expert testimonies, and drafted the rebuttal brief. My colleague John Davis put in a herculean effort, and it was an enormous pleasure to work with the AJSOCAL team including Sheela Sood, Julie Dargus, Mohneet Kaur, and Binwant Kahlon.
What are some of your favorite memories from your time with AJSOCAL? There have been so many. Meeting the client in the immigration case and hearing his story was a very humbling experience. In comparison, I felt grateful and privileged to have grown up in San Francisco as a first-generation immigrant. I love hearing other PBAC members’ journeys at lunches and gatherings. And being on Steve Yoda’s team at last year’s Game Night, getting all my answers wrong, and singing the Golden Girls theme song with Janelle Hu were unexpected delights.
What would you say to someone considering getting involved with PBAC? Welcome! Get involved! Don’t be afraid to be silly at Game Night! This is a wonderful group of people to work and hang out with.
Spotlight: Pando Pro Bono Leadership Summit
We are so proud to share that AJSOCAL’s own Christina Yang recently returned from the Pando Pro Bono Leadership Summit in Chicago, where she co-facilitated a powerful session alongside Gwendolyn McDowell Washington of Cleary Gottlieb.
Their session, “Survive to Thrive: Preserving the Union of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Pro Bono,” tackled one of the most pressing questions facing the legal community right now: when DEI programs get slashed, who bears the cost? The session brought together legal leaders to examine how shifts in DEI funding and the current political climate have impacted pro bono programming, efforts targeted at marginalized communities, and hiring and recruitment across organizations and firms. Participants explored whether and how their organizations have been able to pivot, what it looks like when pro bono and DEI work together as one unified effort, and how to push back against the negative impacts without compromising justice.
The conversation did not stop at identifying the problem. Attendees also shared success stories of resistance and resilience and even traded self-care tips for navigating these challenging times, a reminder that sustaining this work means sustaining the people doing it.
One of Christina’s favorite takeaways from the summit said it all: “We’re in it together. Keep fighting.”
We are incredibly proud of Christina and Gwendolyn for leading this important conversation on a national stage, and grateful to everyone at the summit committed to keeping justice at the center of this work. What a way to come back from sabbatical!
Save the Date: PBAC Game Night | May 21
Get ready for one of our favorite nights of the year! Our 2026 PBAC Game Night is coming up on Wednesday, May 21 from 5:30 to 8:30 PM in Century City, and we would love to see you there. Expect a fun evening of games, great food, and genuine community connection.
For those newer to our community, PBAC, our Pro Bono Advisory Council, is made up of attorneys and legal professionals who are passionate about access to justice and supporting AJSOCAL’s mission. Game Night is our annual fundraiser that brings the PBAC community together for an evening of friendly competition and celebration, and it is open to members, supporters, and anyone curious about getting more involved.
Grab your tickets and join us for a night you will not want to miss. Tickets available at donate.ajsocal.org/event/2026-pbac-game-night/e773492.
Ways to Get Involved & Stay Connected
There are so many ways to be part of this community, and we would love to have you more involved. Here is how you can show up:
Partner with Us: Law firms, schools, and community organizations can collaborate on upcoming clinics, training sessions, and advocacy campaigns.
Volunteer: Attorneys, law students, and community members are always welcome. Visit ajsocal.org/volunteer to explore current opportunities.
Host a Training: Invite our team to deliver a Know Your Rights, Bystander Intervention, or How to Respond to Harassment training for your organization or network.
Support Our Work: Your contributions help fund clinic materials, volunteer coordination, and community outreach. Every gift makes a difference.
Stay Connected: Follow us on social media for impact stories, upcoming opportunities, and program updates.
In Gratitude
As we move through 2026, we are continually inspired by the people who show up for this community, whether through a pro bono case, a clinic shift, a Game Night sponsorship, or simply spreading the word about our work. To our volunteers, PBAC members, partners, and supporters: thank you. What you do matters deeply to the communities we serve, and we could not do any of this without you. Here is to a spring full of impact, connection, and continued progress toward a more just future for all.
With gratitude, The AJSOCAL Pro Bono Team
