Dear Family, Friends and Community,
I’m so excited to, once again, participate in Los Angeles’ BIG 5K! This is my fourth year proudly partaking in efforts to Run for Justice, all benefiting the extraordinary work of Public Counsel. Last year, I sadly could not run as I had a skin cancer removed from my lower back – and I’m all cancer-free now! I’m absolutely thrilled to hit the pavement, run like the wind, and make up for last year’s miss!
On the subject of cancer, just last month, Public Counsel was thrilled to announce that the Cancer Justice program of the Disability Rights Legal Center (DRLC) has transferred to Public Counsel, ensuring the continued work of the nation’s premier pro bono program dedicated to the legal rights of people with cancer. This transition allows Public Counsel to expand our efforts to advance economic justice and access to legal services, while deepening our commitment to supporting people facing cancer and addressing the unique challenges they encounter. Known for decades as the Cancer Legal Resource Center, the program was renamed Cancer Justice in 2025. It is one of the only programs in the country dedicated specifically to the legal rights of people living with cancer—supporting individuals navigating cancer with legal resources, rights-based advocacy, and education. The program provides vital resources to address disparities in cancer care and ensure access and support for all individuals impacted by the disease, inclusive of caretakers.
In addition to Cancer Justice, Public Counsel is poised to continue our disaster recovery work, centering on advancing policies that protect community members during the most vulnerable moments. At the state level, we sponsored AB 380, advocating for stronger protections against disaster-related price gouging, and provided key legal and technical support for SB 610, now law, which expands post-disaster rights for tenants and mobile-home park residents. Across Los Angeles County, our advocacy helped secure major safety-net programs for wildfire survivors. We supported the creation of the LA County Fire Recovery Fund, fought for eviction protections for impacted tenants, strengthened price-gouging penalties, and backed an Emergency Rent Relief Program to prevent displacement during and after major disasters. Each effort required coordinated coalition work—drafting memos, producing toolkits, delivering public comment, meeting with Board offices, and mobilizing community voices.
For 56 years, Public Counsel has served as a nonprofit public interest law firm dedicated to advancing civil rights and racial and economic justice, as well as to amplifying the power of our clients through comprehensive legal advocacy. In the face of unprecedented challenges in 2025, we still achieved many banner wins. 2026 will be no different, and we will not back down!
If you are able to help support my Run for Justice efforts with TRULY any sized gift, you will help our staff continue this life-altering work. You can make a gift directly here or by visiting us here. Even a share on social media is going an extra mile in my book!
Thank you so much for partnering with me on this journey!
Warmest gratitude,
Scott
