The term "pro bono" comes from the Latin pro bono publico, meaning “for the public good.” Indeed, our pro bono partners have dedicated their time and expertise to the greater good. These law firms have co-counseled with us on lawsuits and other actions to further civil rights and civil liberties for our communities in the southland.
The attorneys and support staff at these firms devote thousands of hours of work, at no cost to the ACLU Foundation of Southern California or our clients. They have helped to oppose censorship and defend the First Amendment; protect immigrants and public school students; and investigate and end abuse in our criminal justice system.
Every year, we recognize and honor firms and community partners who have worked with us on a variety of cases with our Advocates for Justice Awards. To put it simply: we could not have done this work without them. We thank and honor these Advocates for Justice for their dedication and pro bono support. Below you'll find a list of this year’s recipients, which appears in the current issue of Los Angeles Lawyer Magazine.
2025 ADVOCATES FOR JUSTICE
Cooley LLP
For leading amicus briefs on voting rights and criminal justice in Police Protective League v. City of Los Angeles, California v. Huntington Beach and Bixby v. Huntington Beach, and for representing Jenner & Block LLP against the administration’s attack on the rule of law and critical pro bono work.
Jenner & Block LLP
For its expertise in opposing the censorship of library books in City of Huntington Beach v. Allianza Translatinx, and for bringing forth a lawsuit against the administration’s unlawful executive order undermining a law firm’s right to engage in pro bono work.
Latham & Watkins LLP
or its collaboration on impactful research of U.S. veterans who had been unfairly deported despite their loyalty and service to the country, and for co-counseling with us across a wide diversity of civil rights issues.
Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP
For its seven-year commitment to People v. Rackauckas -- a case that helped shape the development of necessary reforms to the Orange County District Attorney and OC Sheriff’s Department’s custodial informant practices.
Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP
For joining the community organization Gente Organizada in its suit challenging the City of Pomona’s unlawful sign code, which violated the group’s First Amendment rights to post signs advocating for community investment over policing.
Steptoe LLP
For its expertise in Mark S. v. California, a multi-state impact lawsuit against Pittsburg Unified School District and the California Department of Education for discriminatory disciplinary practices against marginalized students.
Special thanks to our 2025 Advocates For Justice sponsors who make the ACLU SoCal’s critical legal defense work possible: Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP; Latham & Watkins LLP; Greenberg Glusker LLP; Paul Hastings LLP; Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP; Wood Tcheng LLP; Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP; and Steptoe LLP.
To learn more about the ACLU SoCal’s pro bono program, visit aclusocal.org/probono.