about us
Supporting the LA County Law Library Since 1993!
Supported by the private sector, Friends of the LA County Law Library is dedicated to raising funds for LA Law Library.
Established in 1891, LA Law Library is a vital civic institution that serves not only judges, attorneys and government officials but also individuals and self-represented litigants. Friends’ activities raise the visibility of LA Law Library and provide a needed, additional base of financial support. Proceeds from past events have been used to expand access, upgrade technology and provide services to the self-represented.
Friends of the Los Angeles County Law Library is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization; our tax i.d. number is 76-0736733.
OUr Mission
Friends of the Los Angeles County Law Library furthers access to justice by raising funds and supporting LA Law Library’s programs, services, and collections, which serve as an essential safety net protecting the most vulnerable in our community and everyone else in need of free legal information, education, and resources. The Law Library delivers access to justice services to over 120,000 people annually.
Our Board & Leadership
The Board of Directors provides leadership and management of the Friends activities, including the Annual Beacon of Justice Award Gala event. Beginning each year in early fall, the Board solicits and receives numerous nominations for the annual award. Following selection of the recipient/s, the Board solicits sponsorships, raises funds and plans the Gala.
Brittani A. Jackson, Chair
Jeff Kichaven, Vice Chair
Courtney Shike, Secretary
Benjamin G. Shatz, Treasurer
Jennifer Benjamin
Paul Fraidenburgh
David E. Hackett
Maria E. Hall
Bradley J. Hamburger
Stacy Harrison
Michael Henry
Roberta Kass
Bethany Kristovich
Clara Lee
Gary M. McLaughlin
Peter Morrison
Adam Paris
Marc Seltzer
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FRIENDS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
About the LA County Law library
Founded in 1891, today LA Law Library holds over 1,000,000 volumes and is the second largest public law library in the United States – second only to the Law Library of Congress. LA Law Library’s mission is to serve “as the curator and cultivator of a superior collection of legal resources, a gateway to legal information and a navigator facilitating access to the legal system.” In this capacity, it provides services and access to legal information for judges, public officials, and attorneys. But just as often, its users are self-represented individuals who may have no other access to legal information.
Like many other venerable public institutions today, LA Law Library’s revenues have declined, while the need for services has increased. Friends’ activities raise the visibility of the Law Library’s programs and services and provide a much-needed additional base of financial support. Over the past ten years, proceeds from the Galas have been used to expand access, upgrade technology, digitize appellate briefs, provide enhanced services to self-represented litigants and develop partnerships with public libraries.