Julia R. Wilson to Step Down as OneJustice CEO

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 17, 2019

CONTACT: Erika Pringsheim-Moore, Development Director, epringsheim@one-justice.org, (510) 241-2320 ext. 102

 

Julia R. Wilson to Step Down as OneJustice CEO

The Board of Directors of OneJustice announces that Chief Executive Officer Julia R. Wilson will step down in March of 2020, following a successful fifteen-year tenure at the organization.

Under Ms. Wilson’s leadership, OneJustice has become nationally recognized for its work to improve access to California’s civil justice system, build the capacity of individual legal aid leaders and nonprofits, and create innovative strategies to increase civil legal services for Californians who are facing legal barriers to basic necessities.

As OneJustice celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, it is a fitting time to celebrate the growth of the organization and the accomplishments of Ms. Wilson. Since becoming CEO in 2007, she led the creation and expansion of multiple award-winning projects, including the Justice Bus and the Executive Fellowship Program.  Ms. Wilson has grown OneJustice’s budget by more than 300%, building a strong, diverse revenue model of individual and corporate donations, foundation grants, and earned income streams.  Most importantly, she has built a strong portfolio of highly regarded projects to transform the state’s civil legal aid system to ensure that all Californians can receive the legal services they need.

Silvia Argueta, executive director of Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles (LAFLA), says, “Julia Wilson is one of the most innovative leaders in the civil justice sector.  With her guidance, OneJustice’s state and national presence elevates our work to achieve equal justice for people living in poverty across California.”

Ms. Wilson has been recognized with numerous awards, including as a Daily Journal Top 100 Attorney, a California Lawyer of the Year Award from California Lawyer magazine and a Leadership Award from the James Irvine Foundation.

Don Howard, President and CEO of the James Irvine Foundation, says, “OneJustice has become a critical resource during Julia’s fifteen-year tenure, broadening access to justice throughout California.  We’re delighted that Julia received a James Irvine Leadership Award in 2017 in recognition of her ingenuity, passion, and vision in advancing an innovative and effective approach to providing access to legal services across our state.”

“OneJustice is an important part of the state’s civil legal aid delivery system,” says Chris Punongbayan, executive director of California ChangeLawyers and a graduate of OneJustice’s Executive Fellowship.  “It has been a pleasure to work with Julia on OneJustice’s Rural Justice Initiative and other projects that increase access to legal services, and we look forward to continuing to work closely with OneJustice’s talented and creative staff.”

“OneJustice is highly regarded as a backbone of civil legal aid and pro bono services throughout California because of Julia’s creativity and innovative approaches,” says Kyuli Oh, chair of the OneJustice Board. “CEO transition is a natural component of a nonprofit’s life cycle, and Julia leaves a strong legacy from which to build further growth and success for the organization.”

Ms. Wilson will serve as Chief Executive Officer of OneJustice through March 2020. The Board is actively planning for the leadership transition, including the establishment of a Transition Task Force, which will oversee a national search for her successor.

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OneJustice is a statewide nonprofit that brings life-changing legal help to those in need by transforming the civil legal aid system.  Working toward a day when all Californians have access to the legal help they need, OneJustice advances the impact of the civil legal aid sector by building the capacity of legal aid nonprofits, engaging the legal profession in volunteering, and supporting a statewide network of Californians who care deeply about justice.  More information about OneJustice’s work and programs is online at http://onejustice.org.

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