The California Lawyers Foundation (CLF) through its California Legal Pathways Collaborative (CLPC) program held its annual Scholarship and Awards celebration at UC Irvine School of Law on June 13, 2026, as part of its Law Symposium.
Ruthe Ashley, CLPC founder, knows what it takes to achieve success – an incredible team. What began as Ashley’s dream more than a decade ago has become an accomplished partnership among judges, academics, attorneys, schools, and legal leaders to support 26 high school Law Academies, thousands of students, and the future of the legal profession.
Francis Prizzia, CLPC Vice Chair, served as the evening’s emcee, welcoming attendees from across the state to honor the dedication and recognize academic excellence of those working tirelessly in CLPC’s Law Academy program.
Six outstanding Law Academy students received prestigious Ruthe Catolico Ashley Legal Pathways Scholarships, three generously given by Ashley and three sponsored by the Law School Admissions Council (LSAC), the Law Offices of John D. Elliott Scholarship, and vLex Fastcase. To be considered, each student had to be nominated by their Law Academy instructors with decisions based on work, program participation, financial need, and desire to pursue law as a career.
“It’s really hard to pick the students to give the awards to, and every application is incredible,” Ashley told the crowd. “Their personal statements and letters from their teachers are so meaningful. Every student deserves a scholarship.”
Four CLPC champions, people dedicating significant volunteer time to mentorship, program growth, and on-the-ground student opportunities were recognized with the Outstanding Teacher Award (Ray Beattie, Coordinator, Crawford High School Law Academy), the Law Academy Award (Santa Ana High School, EGM Legal Studies Academy), CLPC Outstanding Board Chair Award (Ann Park, Woodrow Wilson High School Law Magnet), and the Judicial Inspiration Award (Justice Thomas Delaney).
“I wish I could articulate it better, given the company I’m in today,” shared Justice Thomas Delaney with the California Court of Appeal, Fourth Appellate District, in reference to the many dignitaries in attendance. “I’ve never felt more inspired. Judges care deeply about the legal profession, because it protects the rule of law. Students, you will help us protect our democracy.”
“I am honored and so surprised,” noted Ray Beattie upon receiving the Outstanding Teacher accolade. “I had no idea I would be receiving this award.”
New for 2026 was the implementation of the CLPC Unsung Hero award, which allows the CLPC Chair to acknowledge CLPC board members who have made significant contributions toward the implantation of CLPC’s mission and goals. Carlos Garcia, Coordinator for the Florin High School Law and the World (LAW) Academy, as well as a founding CLPC Board Member and Student Programming Committee Chair, received the accolade presented by Patricia Lee, CLPC Chair.
“This is very humbling for me,” exclaimed Garcia. “The work that I do and the work that I continue to do is for one reason – the outcome of the students.”
Attendees also shared their appreciation with attorney and retiring CLPC Law Academy program coordinator and instructor, Chris Voisin, from McClatchy High School in Sacramento, who was commended for his commitment over many years and played a key role in establishing the first Law Academies.
“Legal education is something I have been passionate about, and without Ruthe Ashley and great leaders, law academies can’t survive. As teachers, we’re here for the students. It’s time for me to step aside and reinvent myself,” Voisin shared. “I’m going to look back on this and think about what we did, and I will still be here to help the Academies.”
Several CLPC Law Academy graduates who have now become attorneys attended the Scholarship and Awards reception, serving as inspiration for the high school students who are on their own paths to a legal career.
In her closing remarks, CLPC Vice-Chair Prizzia told the audience, ”Each of you represents a piece of the CLPC pathway. To all of our honorees, thank you for your dedication. To our students, please know that we are here, to parents thank you for letting your children participate, and to all of our supporters, thank you for helping us build pathways that change lives.”
To learn more about contributing to California Lawyers Foundation and its California Legal Pathways Collaborative program, please visit: https://calawyersfoundation.org/