Willenken is a strong supporter of the greater Los Angeles community where the firm is based. The cityscape outside our office windows is more than scenery—it is a constant reminder of our firm’s responsibility to give back to those in need. By doing so, we stay connected, open-minded, and humble. More than that, it is the right thing to do.
Pro Bono
Willenken acts on its commitment to public interest by giving back to the underserved and unrepresented through pro bono legal services. Each year, the firm donates hundreds of hours to pro bono cases. Our attorneys collaborate often with key legal aid organizations, including: Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles, Public Counsel, Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County, Inner City Law Center, Kids in Need of Defense (KIND), and Human Rights First.
Willenken’s representative pro bono matters include:
- Representing Gold House, a nonprofit organization that strives to enhance authentic multicultural representation and success of Asians and Pacific Islanders, in connection with all of its trademark work, including #GOLDOPEN (promoting films featuring Asians, Asian American, and Pacific Islanders), A100 (annual list honoring the one hundred most impactful Asian and AAPIs), and GOLD RUSH (accelerator for AAPI-led businesses in the U.S.).
- Representing a minor seeking Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, in an appeal before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Our client was persecuted by gangs in his home country.
- Representing an asylum applicant from Guatemala seeking asylum following persecution suffered in her home country. Willenken secured a victory in the appeal to the U.S. Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) on behalf of the asylum applicant.
- Representing a minor seeking Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, or in the alternative, Asylum. Our client was a victim of sex trafficking in Guatemala.
- Have represented several asylum applicants in tough asylum cases in both the U.S. immigration court system and before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Some of our key wins have been achieved in cases where women sought relief under the Violence Against Women Act.
Willenken also has a robust pro bono amicus brief and Appellate Litigation practice. We have a track record of success representing leading companies and individuals in amicus briefs filed in the U.S. Supreme Court, federal and state courts of appeals, and California Superior Court.
Community Involvement
We strive to improve the quality of life in the neighborhoods where we live and work. Willenken lawyers frequently volunteer their time in community organizations such as KTown for All, a homeless outreach and advocacy group in the Koreatown neighborhood of Los Angeles.
Our lawyers also serve on the boards of several leading non-profit organizations. Partner Paul Loh serves on the Board of Directors of the Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County, a non-profit organization that provides free legal services for the poor and underserved communities in the greater Los Angeles area. Partner Jason Wilson is a member of the Board of Visitors of The National Judicial College, the foremost judicial education group in the United States.
Partner Kenneth Trujillo-Jamison serves on the boards of the Los Angeles Copyright Society, a preeminent members-only organization of attorneys who practice in copyright, trademark, communications and related areas; Inner City Law Center, a non-profit law firm that fights for housing and justice for low-income tenants, working-poor families, immigrants, people who are disabled or living with HIV/AIDS, and homeless veterans; and the Housing Rights Center, the nation’s largest non-profit civil rights organization dedicated to securing and promoting fair housing.
With the intent of advancing the visibility and leadership opportunities of diverse lawyers, our attorneys are members of several minority bar associations, including Japanese American Bar Association, South Asian Bar Association of Southern California, U.S.-Japan Council, and National Asian Pacific American Bar Association,
Willenken lawyers are also involved in several diversity and inclusion affinity groups and associations, including California Minority Counsel Program, Leadership Council on Legal Diversity, Minority Corporate Counsel Association, and National Association of Minority and Women Owned Law Firms.
