The Honorable Judy Johnson, a leader for the California Legal Pathways Collaborative (CLPC), and California Lawyers Foundation’s (CLF) Deputy Director, Janett Cabanero, have been honored by the Minority Bar Coalition (MBC) of the San Francisco Bay Area with its prestigious 2025 Unity Awards. Judge Johnson has received the organization’s highest recognition, Champion of Diversity. The annual achievements are given to people for their exemplary work to promote the cause of diversity in California’s legal profession.
The MBC of the San Franciso Bay Area is a network of more than 50 distinct bar associations and law pathways programs dedicated to working in a unified manner to advance the cause of diversity in the legal profession. Founded in the late 1980s, the MBC shares best practices and resources in bar association programming and advocacy finding issues of common cause and building shared platforms. The ceremony was held at UC Law, San Francisco on November 13, 2025. The special evening celebrated nearly 40 leaders and was attended by more than 200 guests.
CLF is the educational and scholarship component of California Lawyers Association (CLA), the largest volunteer bar association in the state with more than 50,000 members. The foundation envisions a California where the legal profession reflects its diverse population. CLF delivers student-centered scholarships, mentorships, education programs, and resources that open doors to legal careers and strengthen communities. It recently granted more than $50,000 to high school, undergraduate, and law school students.
“I’ve worked in higher education for nearly thirty years, across almost every area – enrollment, compliance, financial aid, student services, the business office, student accounts, and academic affairs. This is the most meaningful work I’ve ever done,” Cabanero says. “I’m not a lawyer, but I’ve leaned on the resources around me to understand the legal profession. During the ceremony, I felt an overwhelming sense of affirmation that, ‘Yes, I do this work because I truly believe in the mission and vision of both CLF and CLPC.’ I felt valued and deeply cared for.” She also expresses her appreciation saying, “I am profoundly grateful for the people I’ve met along this journey – those who continue to uplift me and empower me to keep doing work that creates pathways and provides vital resources for students.”
CLPC is a driving force behind CLF, providing 25 high school law academies across the state in northern, central, and southern California to students interested in pursuing the law as a career. The three-year program begins in a student’s sophomore year, enrolling more than 3,000 students annually. The participants engage in a wide range of unique educational opportunities through to graduation. Judges and lawyers provide mentorship alongside each school’s educators. Students are assisted in moving from high school, into undergraduate and law school, with most being the first in their families to go to college.
Judge Judy Johnson gave an inspirational keynote address, spotlighting stories about making a difference in the lives of students and professionals and talking about her personal experiences as she nears her 50th year as an attorney. She highlighted the dedicated service of several people in attendance and gave a call to action, encouraging people to become involved in the CLPC law academy program.
“I believe that we all owe a debt of service to the community and profession that gave us opportunity. Perhaps you were the smartest person in your family on you block, but I wasn’t,” she shared with the audience. “Yet I had opportunities previously denied others of my family, my race, my gender, my community. Their sacrifices and their refusal to accept the caste status assigned to them at birth forced open the doors through which I was able to enter. So, I owe a debt that I can only repay in service to others similarly disadvantaged.”
Judge Johnson was serving as Executive Director for the State Bar of California at the time the law academies were first proposed over 15 years ago. She is ultimately responsible for the program’s approval, but credits attorney and colleague Ruthe Ashley with the program’s inception. Ashley is the founder of CLPC. The two women, along with current CLPC chair and attorney, Patricia Lee, worked side by side to ensure the program’s development. All three women are active in making certain the academies succeed, partnering with CLF to produce as many educational resources for students as possible.
“I am deeply honored to stand here with all of you as I accept this award,” Johnson told the event attendees. “While it is presented to me, I truly believe it is a tribute to the collective achievements of my sisters in the struggle, and the fellow Law Ladies,” referring to Ashley and Lee. “The three of us are known as the godmothers – las compadres – of the Law Academy movement.”
“Judy Johnson’s leadership and continuous deep involvement for the past decades is the reason why our law academies are thriving,” says Ashley. “Judge Johnson said, ‘yes,’ and made the critical decision to move forward. She is our champion.”
Ashley continues, “Since CLPC moved to the California Lawyers Foundation, Janett has been the wind beneath our wings. Her passion and love for the law academies is infectious. She inspires all of us.”
CLF President, Jerrilyn Malana, is a Chief Deputy District Attorney with the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office. She extended her heartfelt congratulations to Cabanero and Johnson. “It is so wonderful to see Janett’s hard work recognized publicly for her passion and steadfast dedication to the California Legal Pathways Collaborative program and all the students we serve,” says Malana. “CLF also congratulates Judge Judy Johnson on receiving the Champion of Diversity Award. Her longtime dedication to uplifting students and legal professionals continues to inspire us.”
Both CLF and CLPC rely largely on the generous contributions of individuals and sponsors to carry out their missions. The support collected helps both entities provide civic education and student funding for future legal professionals from underrepresented backgrounds. Contributions are tax deductible as allowed by law. CLF offers several ways to donate financially, and importantly, to volunteer in its many activities.