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STEPHANIE L. CHOY PRINCIPAL

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After practicing law for 13 years, I followed my passion into the nonprofit world and was fortunate to become Executive Director of the Public Interest Clearinghouse (now OneJustice) where for almost 9 years, I was at the forefront of statewide collaborations to support and improve the delivery of legal services in California.  

 

When the opportunity arose, I moved to the State Bar of California where for 11 years, I directed the Legal Services Trust Fund Program, managing $25 -$50 million in annual grant funding to about 100 civil legal aid organizations in California.

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Through my various paid and volunteer roles, I have gained experience in all aspects of nonprofit management, and along the way have learned from the very best in the community how to build collaborations, analyze and develop policy, manage staff and volunteers, and shape effective programs.

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I am a seasoned nonprofit professional  ready and eager to partner with nonprofit, foundation and government entities to make the world a better place.

EDUCATION

UCLA School of Law (1983)

Admitted, State Bar of California

1983 (currently inactive) 

 

UC Berkeley, Bachelor of Arts (1979)

Chinese

 

University of San Francisco (1997)

Nonprofit Management Coursework

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RECOGNITION

Certificate of Congressional Recognition

Hon. Nancy Pelosi,

November 30, 2018   

 

Award of Merit

Legal Aid Association of California 

2012

 

"Stephanie L. Choy Day"

proclamation of Mayor Willie Brown, City and County of San Francisco

January 30, 1999

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PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

State Bar of California (2007-2018)

Interim Program Director II, Office of Legal Services (2018)

Managing Director, promoted to Program Manager III, Legal Services Trust Fund Program (2007-2018)

Directed staff that managed $25-$50 million in annual grants to almost 100 nonprofit legal aid organizations in California:

  • Change agent for new grantmaking efficiencies including moving from paper to online grant portal

  • Facilitated the development of statewide outcome measures for

       legal aid

  • Increased funding for legal aid by tens of million through multiple strategies, including creating a Campaign for Justice, developing a leadership bank program, and support for legislative advocacy

  • Created a national model for incentivizing higher bank interest rates through successful advocacy for Community Reinvestment Act credit 

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Executive Director, Public Interest Clearinghouse, 

now dba OneJustice (1999-2007)

  • Doubled the organization's revenue and almost tripled its staff, through a blend of contract services and new fundraising efforts, including a new annual "Opening Doors to Justice" event

  • Led broad-based federally-mandated state planning to expand access to justice, engaging judicial, legal aid, local bar, and private attorney stakeholders

  • Revitalized programming, including creating "Traveling Trainings" for rural advocates, building pro bono partnerships for law students, and developing minimum standards for support centers

  • Engaged stakeholders in planning process that resulted in launch of the separate non-profit Legal Aid Association of California with its first full-time staff 

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Attorney, Hancock, Rothert & Bunshoft (1988-1999)

Attorney, Birkhimer & Birkhimer (1985-1988)

Attorney, Bronson, Bronson & McKinnon (1984-1985)

  • Counseled London insurance companies on mega-million dollar superfund claims; represented clients at settlement and mediation

  • Counseled organizations on employment law and risk management; represented major restaurant chain on franchise and lease issues

  • Planned and developed case discovery; took and defended depositions; argued motions in court; advocated for clients at settlement conferences, arbitration, mediation and trial

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COMMUNITY EXPERIENCE

Board Member, Asian Pacific Islander Legal Outreach (2020)  

Member of the Board of this legal aid nonprofit that provides culturally and linguistically competent legal representation, social services and advocacy for marginalized members of the Asian Pacific Islander community.

  • Assisted with completing the 2019 Executive Director evaluation process and drafted new evaluation instruments for 2020

  • Developing organization's advocacy policy 

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Parent Advisory Council (PAC) to the SFUSD (2006-2009)

As Vice Chair and Council member, led focus groups to engage diverse parents on issues of school selection and enrollment, interpreted data and informed SF Board of Education on issues of equity and fairness 

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Helped open the Alice Fong Yu Alternative School (1993-1994)

As a key member of the small Expansion Committee, proposed a new school to the Board of Education and then overcame all barriers to open the first public Chinese immersion school in the nation.  

  • Located school site and drafted diversity plan to recruit students to meet SF Consent Decree requirements

  • Facilitated input, and wrote the proposal to name the school after the first Chinese public school teacher in San Francisco

  • Drafted Bylaws and incorporated the volunteer parent association

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Board Member and President, Wu Yee Children's Services (1993-1999) 

  • Developed new Board recruiting and training protocols to maximize efficiency as organization's budget grew from $1.5 million to $5 million 

  • Helped develop strategic plan for staff recruitment and retention; helped restructure employee evaluation and compensation

  • Created development plan to diversify funding streams, including direct mail campaign; doubled revenue of annual event; supported capital campaign for build-out of new family center; negotiated long-term lease agreement

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COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES

Staff:  California Commission on Access to Justice (2018); Legal Services Trust Fund Commission (2007-2018); California LSC-funded Project Directors (1999-2007); Legal Services Coordinating Committee (2003-2007); Legal Aid Association of California Board (1999-2007)

 

Volunteer:  National Association of IOLTA Programs Executive Board (2014-2018); State Bar Report to the Legislature Working Group (2004-2005); Bay Area Legal Services Affinity Group (2003-2007); Leaders for Justice Advisory Council, NLADA (2002); State Bar Standing Committee on the Delivery of Legal Services (2000-2006); Management Information Exchange Journal Committee (2000-2004); National Training Advisory Committee, Legal Services Corporation, NLADA and AARP (1999)

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