California Changelawyers

California changelawyers awards next gen scholarships to first- and third-year law students who are overwhelmingly the first in their family to attend law school. By supporting the brightest change makers of tomorrow as they begin their pursuit of a legal career, we eliminate the roadblocks that exist in achieving success. In 2024, california changelawyers distributed $359,352 in scholarships and similar aid.

The california immigration legal fellowship is a first of its kind program in state history which expands access to counsel in the most underserved rural regions of the state. The legal fellowship is a three-year capacity building and professional development program for recent law graduates to become deportation defense practitioners. The current cohort of seven fellows are placed across 6 host organizations, some of which have never provided deportation defense services to their communities. The program aims to increase the number of qualified immigration attorneys defending california residents against family separation.

Other programs support the alumni leadership council, which assists california changelawyers in its work by providing feedback on initiatives.