Thursday, May 16, 2013 - 5:30 - 7:30 pm

Westin St. Francis Hotel Alexandra's 335 Powell Street, San Francisco

In 2013, the Impact Fund celebrated its 20th anniversary – a milestone shared with over 160 guests at the Westin St. Francis Hotel on May 16, 2013. This year’s celebration was special, as we welcomed former staff, former Board Members, co-counsel, plaintiffs, and donors who have been instrumental in the organization’s development over the past two decades. The event was a huge success, as founding figures in the organization shared memories with current Impact Fund supporters, while enjoying great food and live music.

The theme of the evening, “Celebrating the Spark,” recognized the dedication of our founder and honored individuals and organizations committed to “sparking” impact in their communities. Impact Fund Board Advisory Committee member Thomas Saenz was the evening’s emcee and brought plenty of humor to the program.

We honored our two-time grant recipient, Columbia Legal Services, for its perseverance in obtaining fair housing conditions for rural, low-income, immigrant tenants and homeowners in Washington State. Anastacia Sanchez, a community worker at CLS, accepted the award and shared her heartfelt gratitude in her native Mixtecan language. Founding Impact Fund Advisory Board member and retired UC Hastings Academic Dean Shauna Marshall was honored for her leadership and inspiration for a new generation of public interest lawyers. Dean Marshall reflected upon the organization’s journey from its modest roots in Brad Seligman’s living room.

Lastly, we honored (and officially said goodbye to) Judge Brad Seligman, the “spark” who founded and endowed the Impact Fund after leaving private practice in 1992. For 17 years, Judge Seligman built the organization into a national resource center before his appointment by Governor Jerry Brown to the Alameda County Superior Court bench on December 25, 2012. As a brilliant and tenacious advocate, a generous mentor, and an inspirational teacher for many, Brad accepted his award with warm appreciation and acknowledged his family, friends, and colleagues who have helped make the Impact Fund possible. While we are sad to lose a committed advocate for social justice, we recognize the tremendous contributions Judge Seligman will make to the residents of Alameda County.

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