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The Benjamin Aranda Access to Justice Award honors a judge or justice with a long term
commitment to the cause. It’s co-sponsored by the Judicial Council, the State Bar, and
the California Judges’ Association, in association with the California Commission on Access to
Justice. This year’s winner is the Honorable Laurie
Zelon, Associate Justice of the Court of Appeal, Second Appellate District. Justice Zelon credits
her family for instilling in her a charitable heart – a concern for others.
“That was just how my parents raised us, which is you do the right thing.”
While still in law school, she joined the Harvard Voluntary Defenders to assist the
indigent. “That was the first time that I got to do
anything that was acting like a lawyer.” Which crystallized her career plans.
“I knew that no matter where I ended up practicing I had to find some way to look
at issues and be involved in them and help the community and use whatever skills I had
for my clients, but also for advancing institutional change or helping individuals who couldn’t
obtain help otherwise. It’s pretty much who my parents raised me to be.”
After many years as a private attorney, Justice Zelon was appointed to the Superior Court
in 2000, and three years later to the Appeals Court. She’s always been an active in the
Bar, promoting pro bono work. It is part of her tireless commitment to improving access
to the courts, especially for unrepresented litigants.
“And so the courts have had to look at: how do we make sure people are getting justice?
How do we make sure that people’s needs are really being met? How do we make sure
we’re not holding out false hope to people by telling them that we can deliver something
that we can’t?” Those concerns were also addressed in the
Judicial Council’s Elkins Family Law Task Force, which Justice Zelon chaired. A major
challenge: 38 members with unique viewpoints and competing interests. But Justice Zelon
has an enviable ability to forge consensus, with skills she learned years ago from her
role models. “I figured out that opening my mouth first
and thinking later was probably not the right way to go. The act of listening is such an
important way of bringing people together.” Two years later, 117 specific unanimous recommendations
on 21 topics. “To be involved with something like that,
to be able to march at the front of that parade, pretty terrific.”
Justice Zelon was also active on the Task Force on Self Represented Litigants, and was
the primary author of the statewide Self Help Center Guidelines.
“I think that’s going to make such a difference for so many people’s lives in the long run
that, you know, how can you not be proud of it?”
She is equally proud of the Appellate Self Help Clinic, a cutting edge project.
“As hard as it is for somebody to represent themselves at trial, can you imagine an appeal?
It’s terrifying; it just has to be terrifying.” Justice Zelon was instrumental in putting
together the collaboration with the L-A Bar and Public Counsel three years ago.
“It’s a remarkable partnership and it works because it’s a partnership.”
It is still one of a kind. A long list of remarkable accomplishments
from a woman who says she’s just the luckiest person around.
“I grew up in a family that cherished me, I have a husband and children who love and
respect me for who I am and what I do. And I have had the most wonderful career.”
And this award is icing on the cake. “When your peers say, ‘we recognize that
you’re doing something extraordinary, that we think is extraordinary,’ it’s just
wonderful!” Justice Laurie Zelon, winner of the Benjamin
Aranda Access to Justice Award.