Name: Meeting The Moment: Supporting Nonprofits in Times of Crisis
Start: 2026-05-15T15:00:00-0400
End: 2026-05-15T16:15:00-0400

Meeting The Moment: Supporting Nonprofits in Times of Crisis

Friday May 15, 2026 3:00pm - 4:15pm EDT

Carolina A

This session will help participants gain a deeper understanding of the needs of community-based nonprofits in the wake of mass funding cuts, executive orders, new immigration policies, and increased federal scrutiny. The session will educate the legal community on how best to support, defend, and protect nonprofits that advance equity and serve immigrant communities, including in under-resourced, rural communities. The goal is to activate and equip legal aid lawyers and the pro bono community with the tools to support nonprofits and sustain civil society through crisis and uncertainty.

Speakers

Rene Kathawala

Pro Bono Counsel, Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP

Rene Kathawala serves as Orrick's firmwide pro bono counsel, responsible for managing and initiating the firm's pro bono activities, including all administrative and legal aspects.

Rene works with other pro bono counsel and legal services nonprofits to increase the quantity and quality of pro bono representation that is being provided to indigent clients in each of the cities worldwide where Orrick has a presence. In addition, he supervises and directly works... Read More →

Ritu Mahajan

Directing Attorney, Public Counsel

Ritu Mahajan Estes is the Directing Attorney of Public Counsel’s Community Development Project. Previously, she served as a Supervising Senior Staff Attorney within the project, where she led its small business and early care and education initiatives. During her 16 years at Public... Read More →

Kathryn Eidmann

President and CEO, Public Counsel

Kathryn Eidmann is Public Counsel’s President and Chief Executive Officer. A leading civil rights lawyer, Kathryn has spent over a decade at Public Counsel leading innovative legal advocacy to advance justice for communities across the country. She has litigated major cases in the... Read More →

Matt Kugizaki

Pro Bono Director, Inland Counties Legal Services

Matt Kugizaki is an attorney and the Pro Bono Director at Inland Counties Legal Services. Inland Counties Legal Services is a nonprofit legal services organization serving Riverside and San Bernardino counties. Matt oversees ICLS’ pro bono programs, including a Small Business Legal... Read More →

Friday May 15, 2026 3:00pm - 4:15pm EDT
Carolina A

Sessions

2026 Equal Justice Conference

Rene Kathawala

Ritu Mahajan

Kathryn Eidmann

Matt Kugizaki

Attendees (87)

Get help with the event

2026 Equal Justice Conference

Rene Kathawala

Ritu Mahajan

Kathryn Eidmann

Matt Kugizaki

Attendees (87)

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Get help with the event