James Bell currently serves as the Executive Director of the W. Haywood Burns Institute for Juvenile Justice Fairness and Equity. James was a staff attorney at the Youth Law Center for over 20 years. He is a national expert on juvenile justice issues, and joined the Board in January 2002. He also serves on the Board of Directors of Death Penalty Focus, and works closely with Critical Resistance, Asian Pacific Island Law Offices, the National Center for Lesbian Rights, the Lawyers Committee for Urban Affairs, the National Indian Justice Center and the National Conference of Black Lawyers.
Jeffrey M. Bleich is a partner at Munger, Tolles and Olson, LLP. In addition to his professional practice, Jeff served as the President of the Bar Association of San Francisco in 2003 and was appointed in 1999 by President Clinton to direct the White House Commission on Youth Violence. Mr. Bleich is the Co-Chair of the Lawyer Representatives to the Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference. He is presently a member of the ABA’s Amicus Curiae Committee. Jeff joined the Board in March 2004.
Karen Block is an attorney with over 10 years experience supporting non-profit organizations as a volunteer, board member and director of development. She joined the Board in January 2002 and serves as the Vice Chair. She is currently working with the San Francisco MOMA, as a member of the Modern Art Council. Karen is on the event committees of the New Langton Art Gallery and the Halloween Party at the California Academy of Sciences. She also does fundraising work for The Hamlin School in San Francisco.
Betsy Blumenthal is the Managing Director of Kroll Associates San Francisco office. Prior to joining Kroll in 1989, Betsy was the Deputy Finance Director of The Democratic Committee in Washington, D.C. Betsy joined the Board of LSC in January 2001 and serves as Chair of the Fundraising Committee. She is also on the Board of Directors of the International Rescue Committee, a New York-based humanitarian organization
Ria Burghardt brings to LSC 30 years' experience in the legal, advocacy, fundraising and program areas of nonprofits globally. Currently, she is the US Director of the Institute for War & Peace Reporting (IWPR) as their international Development Director. IWPR builds democracy at the frontlines of conflict around the world through the power of free and fair media. Before joining IWPR, she worked for NetAid, an organization that fights global poverty, where she established their fundraising operations and developed the noted Global Action Awards. Prior, Ria spent 8 years at the International Human Rights Law Group fundraising, designing programs and setting up operations for human rights programs in Africa, Latin America, Southeast Asia, and Eastern Europe. Earlier, she was a consultant for the New Hampshire Governor's Commission for Persons with Disabilities and a social worker advocating for children in Maine. She also sits on the Boards of Potohar Organization for Development Advocacy in Pakistan, and Rural Women United. She joined the Board in August 1994.
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Donna Furth represents child clients in dependency and family law appeals. She also teaches Juvenile Law at the University of San Francisco School of Law, where she founded the Child Advocacy Clinic. In addition, she serves as a director of the National Association of Counsel for Children (NACC), the National Juvenile Attorney Certification Advisory Board, the Northern California Association of Counsel for Children, (NCACC) and the Furth Family Foundation. Donna joined the Board in July 2005.
Geoff Howard is the Co-Chair of the Complex and Class Litigation Practice Group at Bingham McCutchen. He has represented a diverse assortment of communications, technology and distribution companies in intellectual property, antitrust and commercial disputes, and has authored several pieces of state legislation. In 2006, Geoff was chosen as one of the “Top 20 Lawyers under 40” by the Daily Journal, and recognized on Lawdragon.com’s “Lawdragon 500, New Stars New World” list as one of the 500 up-and-coming attorneys in the nation. Geoff has previously volunteered with Legal Services for Children as member of the Law Firm Committee, and has also taken on pro bono guardianship cases. Geoff joined the board in July 2006.
Karen J. Nardi is a Partner in Bingham McCutchen's San Francisco office. She is past chair of the firm's Environmental & Land Use Group, ranked in the top three nationally by the American Lawyer in 2000. She counsels clients on a wide range of environmental and health and safety laws and works with companies to manage these liabilities in business transactions. She also represents clients in environmental enforcement actions. In 2004, Karen was named as a "Super Lawyer" in her field and ranked among the top fifty female "Super Lawyers" in Northern California. She has volunteered at Legal Services for Children as a pro bono lawyer assisting children and youth in obtaining guardianships for the past twelve years. Karen joined the board in April 2005.
John F. O’Toole is the Executive Director of the National Center for Youth Law in Oakland. He serves as Chair of the Board Development Committee. He joined the Board in April 1997.
Arturo Sanchez is Assistant to the City of Oakland Manager in the Nuisance Enforcement Unit. He previously worked on the staff of Oakland City Council member Jean Quan. Prior to his work with Jean Quan, he was a Staff Attorney at La Raza Centro Legal in San Francisco. He joined the Board in July 2002.
Elizabeth Butler Steyer worked with Legal Services for Children for eleven years as a Staff Attorney, Managing Attorney and then as the Associate Director. She has an extensive background in youth advocacy and non-profit management. Liz joined the Board in March 2004 and serves as Chair.
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Carol Lynn Thompson is an attorney and shareholder at Heller, Ehrman LLP where she leads a complex commercial litigation practice. She has been with Heller since 1994, where she co-chairs the San Francisco Litigation department. Carol Lynn joined the board in April 2005.
Michael Wald is a professor at the Stanford Law School, and rejoined the Board in September 2003. He is recognized nationwide for his expertise in all aspects of children’s advocacy. He has served as the Director of child welfare services at the San Francisco Department of Human Services, and also worked at the Department of Health and Human Services for the Clinton Administration. Most recently, he served as a Program Director and Special Advisor to the president of the Hewlett Foundation on issues concerning at-risk youth.
Irvenia Waters worked for CSC Healthcare Group, a strategic management consulting firm serving the healthcare industry. Prior to her consulting career, Irvenia held policy analysis, strategic planning and management positions with several federal government agencies. She joined the Board in October 2000 and serves as Board Chair. Irvenia is the Chair of the Board of Trustees for Marin Country Day School, and recently stepped down as Vice-Chair of the Board of The Little School, a San Francisco preschool, after four years on the Board.
Mary M. Weitzel is the Director of Contracts at United Behavioral Health in San Francisco. She also works with the Bell Campaign and the Trauma Foundation on firearm and youth development policies at the local, state and national levels. Mary joined the Board in January 2000, and serves on the Fundraising Committee.
Christopher N. Wu was formerly the Executive Director of Legal Services for Children and is now the Supervising Attorney at the Judicial Council of California, Center for Families, Children and the Courts. He is the Board Secretary and joined the LSC Board in September 1996. He is Vice President of the Board of the National Association of Counsel for Children (NACC), is on the board of the National Center for Youth Law, and is President of the Northern California Association of Counsel for Children.
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