A Call to Compassion: Step Forward. Stand for Justice. Change a Life. On any given day at Casa Cornelia Law Center, a mother fleeing violence sits across from an attorney for the first time. A child who crossed borders alone begins to tell a story no child should have to tell. A survivor of human trafficking takes a fragile but [...]
My Casa Story: Peter Stern’s Commitment to Protecting the Most Vulnerable Each year, Peter Stern and his family, private foundation ask a simple question: Where is the lowest rung on the ladder of need where we can be of assistance? For Peter, that reflection led him to Casa Cornelia Law Center. A retired attorney whose career focused on civil [...]
Support Services 101: What Happens Beyond the Courtroom When a mother in San Diego chooses to sleep in her van with her young child rather than accept a temporary shelter placement miles from her community, it might seem like a small act of defiance. But at Casa Cornelia Law Center, we see it as a powerful example of resilience, [...]
Justice with Compassion in Action: Spring 2026 Interns at Casa Cornelia Law Center Justice with compassion is not just a tagline at Casa Cornelia Law Center—it defines who we are and why we do this work. As a nonprofit public interest law firm providing quality pro bono legal services to survivors of human and civil rights violations, Casa Cornelia is [...]
Carmen M. Chavez: Leading with Justice and Compassion When it comes to defending human rights for immigrants in San Diego, few names carry the weight and respect of Carmen M. Chavez. This month, Carmen was honored as one of five recipients of the 2026 Prebys Leadership Awards, recognizing leaders who are “all in” for San Diego—building lasting impact across the [...]
Casa Cornelia Law Center celebrates and extends our deepest gratitude to Dr. Gloria Bader, who is retiring from her role as Chair of the Board of Directors after decades of distinguished service and leadership. Dr. Bader’s involvement with Casa Cornelia spans more than 25 years, reflecting an extraordinary commitment to advancing the mission and values of the organization and its founders, the Society of [...]
How Supporting DACA Applicants Shaped a Public Servant’s Path When Sean Elo-Rivera began his legal internship with Casa Cornelia Law Center in the summer of 2012, the national conversation around immigration was shifting. That same summer, the federal government rolled out Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), a program that offered eligible young immigrants the chance to live, study, [...]
How One Attorney’s Pro Bono Experience Continues to Shape His Commitment to Justice When Marco Verdugo was sworn in as Chula Vista’s City Attorney on April 9, 2024, he stepped into a role that places him at the center of the city’s legal landscape. As the City’s general counsel, he advises the City Council, officials, boards, commissions, and departments [...]
