California Rural Legal Assistance is a nonprofit that provides legal aid services throughout California. It is a recipient of Legal Services Corporation funding. CRLA asserts that it provides legal services to about 50,000 individuals annually. ¹ The organization has 21 offices across California rural areas. ²

Among the issues the organization litigates for are housing, employment, education, workplace safety, discrimination, income maintenance, and health care access. ³

Background

California Rural Legal Assistance organization was founded in 1966⁴ by Robert Gnaizda, former California Health Director and Chief Deputy Secretary for Health, Welfare and Prisons under Gov. Jerry Brown (D). Gnaizda was also an attorney for United Farm Workers union organizer Cesar Chavez. ⁵

During its earliest years, California Rural Legal Assistance won several farmworker lawsuits against growers. It also advocated against efforts to reduce spending on state welfare programs. During that time, the organization clashed with then-California Gov. Ronald Reagan (R), who tried to block state funding to the group and to prevent it from using taxpayer dollars to sue state entities. ⁶

Federal Funding

The U.S. Legal Services Corporation, a government-funded non-profit corporation established by the United States Congress, gave $8.2 million to the California Rural Legal Assistance in fiscal year 2020, according to the LSC, an increase from $7.8 million in fiscal year 2019. ⁷

The Legal Services Corporation pays for more than half of CRLA’s budget. The California state bar pays for another 20 percent, or just more than $3 million. The remainder comes from private grants, revenue, and donations. ⁸

The LSC claims that 842,140 people in California are eligible to get legal aid. An individual must earn no more than $15,950 and a family of four can earn no more than $32,750 in according to LSC. ⁹

Leadership

Jose Padilla is the executive director of the CRLA. ¹⁰ Brian August is the legislative advocates for the California Rural Legal Assistance Foundation, and lobbies for policies in the state legislature. ¹¹

Advocacy

While receiving federal funding, the California Rural Legal Assistance engages in left-progressive policy advocacy. The organization says it advocates for and drafts legislation, with a focus on Latinos and rural immigrants. ¹²

Regarding immigration, the organization works on visa applications and Violence Against Women Act petitions, helps complete forms with federal immigration agencies, and provides legal assistance regarding public benefits. The primary populations it serves among immigrants include farm workers, domestic violence victims and human trafficking survivors. It also adds that it serves LGBT immigrants. ¹³

Other areas include employment and labor law, landlord-tenant issues including eviction and foreclosure defense. ¹⁴

1. Financials. California Rural Legal Assistance. Accessed July 22, 2020. https://www.crla.org/financials
2. California Rural Legal Assistance. Voices for Civil Justice. Accessed July 22, 2020. https://voicesforciviljustice.org/organization/6705/california-rural-legal-assistance-crla/
3. California Rural Legal Assistance, Inc. LinkedIn. Accessed July 22, 2020. https://www.linkedin.com/company/california-rural-legal-assistance-inc./
4. National Immigration Legal Services Directory. Immigration Advocates Network. Accessed July 22, 2020. https://www.immigrationadvocates.org/nonprofit/legaldirectory/organization.392679-California_Rural_Legal_Assistance_Modesto_Office
5. “Robert Gnaizda” Public Advocates. Accessed July 22, 2020. https://www.publicadvocates.org/team/bob-gnaizda/
6. Joyce, Kathryn. “No Money, No Lawyer, No Justice: The Vast, Hiden Inequities of the Civil Legal System.” The New Republic. June 22, 2020. Access July 22, 2020. https://newrepublic.com/article/158095/civil-legal-system-no-money-no-lawyer-no-justice
7. California Rural Legal Assistance Program Profile. Legal Services Corporation. Accessed July 22, 2020. https://www.lsc.gov/grants-grantee-resources/our-grantees/california-rural-legal-assistance-inc-program-profile
8. Financials. California Rural Legal Assistance. Accessed July 22, 2020. https://www.crla.org/financials
9. California Rural Legal Assistance Program Profile. Legal Services Corporation. Accessed July 22, 2020. https://www.lsc.gov/grants-grantee-resources/our-grantees/california-rural-legal-assistance-inc-program-profile
10. Who We Are. California Rural Legal Assistance. Accessed July 22, 2020. http://www.crla.org/office-listing
11. Levin, Matt. “Lawmakers Propose Sweeping Relief To Homeowners, Renters.” Cap Radio. May 17, 2020. Accessed July 22, 2020. https://www.capradio.org/articles/2020/05/17/lawmakers-propose-sweeping-relief-to-homeowners-renters/
12. [1] What We Do. California Rural Legal Assistance. Accessed July 22, 2020. https://www.crlaf.org/what-we-do
13. California Rural Legal Assistance (Marysville Office). County of Placer. Accessed July 22, 2020. https://placer.networkofcare.org/mh/services/agency.aspx?pid=CaliforniaRuralLegalAssistanceMarysvilleOffice_175_2_0
14. California Rural Legal Assistance – Madera. LawHelpCA.org. Accessed July 22, 2020. https://lawhelpca.org/org/california-rural-legal-assistance-inc-madera