What does Public Justice Foundation do?

Meet Our Team | Public Justice Skip to navigation Skip to content Meet Our Team Public Justice / Who We Are... The organization focuses on delivering measurable outcomes through structured programs and dedicated staff working directly with target populations.

How can I get involved?

Individuals can participate through volunteering, making financial contributions, or attending community events. The organization welcomes diverse forms of engagement from supporters interested in advancing the mission.

Who does this organization serve?

Services target specific populations based on identified needs within the community. The organization works to ensure access and equity in program delivery across diverse demographics.

How is impact measured?

The organization tracks key performance indicators including participant outcomes, service utilization rates, and community feedback. Regular evaluation informs program adjustments and strategic planning.

Public Justice Foundation

Washington, DC · Founded 1975

National public interest law firm fighting corporate and governmental abuse through litigation

Primary audience

General Public

Work area

Legal Services

Topic

Justice & Law

Contact

Steve Ralls

Website Contact

About Organization

Public Justice Foundation uses impact litigation and advocacy to combat corporate and governmental wrongdoing, protect civil rights, and advance social justice. Based in Oakland, CA, the organization takes on cases involving consumer protection, environmental justice, workers' rights, and civil liberties through a network of trial lawyers and legal experts. Founded in 1982, it reported $10.2 million in revenue in 2022.

What They Focus On

Service Delivery

Providing direct assistance and support to communities through structured programs and dedicated staff.

Community Engagement

Building partnerships and collaborations to amplify impact and create sustainable change in target populations.

Organizational Growth

Strengthening operational capacity and expanding resources to increase reach and effectiveness of interventions.

Financial Information

Form 990 data showing organizational financial health and growth.

Revenue (2024)

$11.7M

+20.9% vs 2023

Expenses (2024)

$9.2M

+1% vs 2023

Assets (2024)

$22.9M

+9.9% vs 2023

Employees (2024)

-13.2% vs 2023

Year	Revenue	Expenses	Assets	Employees
2024	$11,730,058	$9,223,864	$22,892,603	46
2023	$9,705,815	$9,136,255	$20,827,352	53
2022	$7,262,848	$7,582,912	$17,710,662	43
2020	$6,980,201	$6,160,967	$13,411,166	41
2019	$6,152,153	$6,060,524	$11,604,530	37
2018	$6,381,205	$4,920,179	$10,804,276	25

Source: IRS Form 990 filings. All figures in USD.

01

Identify Needs

Assess community requirements through research and stakeholder engagement to determine priority areas for intervention.
02

Develop Programs

Design and implement targeted initiatives based on identified needs and evidence-based practices.
03

Deliver Services

Execute programs through trained staff and volunteers while maintaining quality standards and participant safety.
04

Measure Impact

Evaluate outcomes through data collection and analysis to ensure effectiveness and inform continuous improvement.

Programs and Initiatives

Services and programs offered by Public Justice Foundation

Core Services

Delivering primary programs and services to target populations through trained staff and volunteers.

Community Outreach

Engaging communities through educational initiatives and awareness campaigns that promote organizational mission.

Support Programs

Providing assistance and resources to individuals and families through direct intervention and referral services.

Team & Leadership

Meet the people behind Public Justice Foundation.

Steve Ralls

Vice President, Communications, Marketing & Branding

10 hrs/week

Compensation: $200,590

Kelly Simon

Vice President of Development and Membership

20 hrs/week

Compensation: $197,488

Leroy Hughes

Vice President of Operations

30 hrs/week

Compensation: $191,296

Victoria Ni

Special Projects Advisor

22 hrs/week

Compensation: $157,323

Adele P Kimmel

Director, Students’ Civil Rights Project

20 hrs/week

Tammy W Sun

Brianna Dimas

Nicole Funaro

Media Relations Strategist

Sharon M McGowan

CEO

22 hrs/week

Compensation: $183,367

Joshua Craddock

Vice President, Finance

22 hrs/week

Compensation: $167,736

Frank Bland

Executive Committee Member

2 hrs/week

Paula Athey

Legal Assistant

Tonia Allison

Member Services Coordinator

Brandon Reed

Assistant Controller

Associated People

Board members, advisors, and key contributors

Board of Directors

Adam Zapala Board Member 2.00 hrs/week

Alinor Sterling Executive Committee Member 2.00 hrs/week

An Truong Board Member 2.00 hrs/week

Anna P Prakash Board Member 2.00 hrs/week

Benjamin L Bailey Board Member 2.00 hrs/week

Chauniqua D Young Board Member 2.00 hrs/week

David F Sugerman Treasurer 2.00 hrs/week

Deborah A Elman Board Member Partner at Garwin Gerstein & Fisher 2.00 hrs/week

Diandra Fu Debrosse Board MemberDi 2.00 hrs/week

Donald H Slavik Board Member 2.00 hrs/week

E Michelle Drake Board Member 2.00 hrs/week

Erv Nevitt Board Member 2.00 hrs/week

Gaetano Guy Dandrea Board Member 2.00 hrs/week

Greg Asciolla Board MemberDi 2.00 hrs/week

Jamie Powers Board Member 2.00 hrs/week

JD Hays Jr Board Member 2.00 hrs/week

Joan B Claybrook Board Member 2.00 hrs/week

Joe Wardenski Board Member 2.00 hrs/week

Julie Kane Board Member 2.00 hrs/week

Karina Puttieva Board Member 2.00 hrs/week

Kevin Hannon Board Member 2.00 hrs/week

Lauren Guth Barnes Secretary 2.00 hrs/week

Leonard A Bennett Board Member 2.00 hrs/week

Michael P Thornton Board Member 2.00 hrs/week

Mimi Y Liu Board Member 2.00 hrs/week

Mitchell Breit Board Member 2.00 hrs/week

Myriam Gilles Board Member 2.00 hrs/week

Nadia Dahab Board MemberSugerman Dahab 2.00 hrs/week

Navan Ward Board Member 2.00 hrs/week

Raymond P Boucher Board Member 2.00 hrs/week

Rayna E Kessler Board Member 2.00 hrs/week

Robin L Greenwald Executive Committee Member 2.00 hrs/week

Ronald Rodriguez Board Member 2.00 hrs/week

Russell W Budd Board Member 2.00 hrs/week

Seth Lesser Executive Committee Member 2.00 hrs/week

Steven Kazan Board MemberKazan, Mc 2.00 hrs/week

Tina Wolfson Board Member 2.00 hrs/week

Todd A Smith Board Member 2.00 hrs/week

Virginia Buchanan Board Member 2.00 hrs/week

William Anderson Executive Committee Member 2.00 hrs/week

Yvette Ferrer Board Member 2.00 hrs/week

Jennie Lee Anderson Board Member

Elizabeth Chavez Board Member

Andrea Gold Board Member

Anne McGinness Kearse Past President

Andrew A. Lemmon Board Member

Danielle Ward Mason Board Member

Victoria S. Nugent Board Member

Lee J. Rohn Board Member & Associates

Norman Siegel Stueve Siegel Hanson LLP

Gerson H. Smoger Past President

Preston Tisdale Past President

Daniel K. Bryson Emeritus Board Member

Eric L. Cramer Emeritus Board Member

Conal Doyle Emeritus Board Member

Sanford P. Dumain Chair

Jeffrey D. Eisenberg Emeritus Board Member

Ingrid M. Evans Emeritus Board Member

Stephen J. Herman Emeritus Board Member

Wayne Hogan Terrell Hogan

Neville Johnson Johnson & Johnson LLPView Website

Frederick S. Longer Emeritus Board Member

Paul Miller Emeritus Board MemberHowie Sacks & Henry

Christopher T. Nace Emeritus Board Member

Bill Rossbach Rossbach Law PC

Frederick S. Schwartz Emeritus Board Member

Hassan A. Zavareei President-Elect

Frederick M. Baron Dallas, TXView Website

Robert E. Cartwright, Sr. San Francisco, CAView Website

Anthony W. Cunningham Tampa, FLView Website

Jack Landskroner Landskroner Law Firm, LLCCleveland, OHView Website

Eugene I. Pavalon Pavalon, Gifford & Laatsch

Leonard M. Ring Chicago, ILView Website

Dean A. Robb Dean Robb Law Firm

Daniel F. Sullivan Seattle, WAView Website

Ted M. Warshafsky Milwaukee, WIView Website

Ellen A. Presby President

Melissa S. Weiner Treasurer

Larry Taylor SecretaryThe Cochran Firm

Janet R. Varnell Immediate Past President

Blythe Chandler Executive Committee Member

Linda Correia Executive Committee Member

Eric Fong Executive Committee Member Law

Amy E. Keller Executive Committee MemberDi

Jason L. Lichtman Executive Committee Member

Hadley Lundback Executive Committee Member

Roger L. Mandel Executive Committee Member

Sabita Soneji Executive Committee Member

Richard P. Traulsen Executive Committee Member

Esther E. Berezofsky Executive Committee Member

Tara Sutton Past President

Information compiled from IRS Form 990 and organizational materials.

Executive Compensation

Top compensated officers & key employees from IRS Form 990

Total Reported (2024)

$1.5M

Highest Paid

$222K

Kelly Simon

Compensated Officers

Name	Title	Base	Other	Total	Hrs/Wk
Kelly Simon	Vice President Of Development And Membership	$197,488	$24,248	$221,736	20
Steve Ralls	Vice President, Communications, Marketing & Brandi	$200,590	$17,948	$218,538	10
Leroy Hughes	Vice President Of Operations	$191,296	$21,337	$212,633	30
Sharon M Mcgowan	CEO	$183,367	$21,143	$204,510	22
Victoria Ni	Vice President, Finance	$157,323	$42,832	$200,155	22
Joshua Craddock	Vice President, Finance	$167,736	$32,241	$199,977	22
Frank Bland Thru 0524	Executive Director	$147,550	$12,040	$159,590	22
Tammy W Sun	Vice President, Legal Affairs	$0	$41,920	$41,920	20
Adele P Kimmel	Director, Students' Civil Rights Project	$0	$29,290	$29,290	20

Name	Title	Base	Other	Total	Hrs/Wk
Frank Paul Bland	Executive Director	$272,325	$25,729	$298,054	22
Kelly Simon	Development Director	$182,992	$35,172	$218,164	20
Leroy Hughes	Vice President Of Operations	$180,833	$34,337	$215,170	30
Victoria Ni	VP Of Finance	$171,800	$34,178	$205,978	22
Steve Ralls	VP Of External Affairs	$185,010	$18,290	$203,300	10
Tammy Sun	Vice President Of Legal Affair	$0	$53,267	$53,267	20
Adele Kimmel	Senior Attorney	$0	$31,644	$31,644	20
Josh Craddock	VP Of Finance	$26,809	—	$26,809	22

Name	Title	Base	Other	Total	Hrs/Wk
Frank Paul Bland	Executive Director	$274,983	$22,011	$296,994	22
Victoria Ni	VP Of Finance	$144,245	$52,191	$196,436	22
Kelly Simon	Development Director	$170,058	$19,339	$189,397	20
Steve Ralls	VP Of External Affairs	$171,511	$13,881	$185,392	10
Margaret B Davis	DIR. Of Strategic Partnership	$145,818	$27,824	$173,642	20
Tammy Sun	Vice President Of Legal Affair	$0	$34,473	$34,473	20
Adele Kimmel	Senior Attorney	$0	$25,064	$25,064	20

Name	Title	Base	Other	Total	Hrs/Wk
Frank Paul Bland	Executive Direcdtor	$255,109	$19,629	$274,738	22
Kelly Simon	Development Director	$158,795	$13,938	$172,733	20
Steve Ralls	Director Of External Affairs	$158,377	$12,031	$170,408	10
Victoria Ni	Director Of Finance & Admin	$80,584	$3,513	$84,097	22
Adele Kimmel	Senior Attorney	$0	$22,720	$22,720	20
Leslie Brueckner	Senior Attorney	$0	$17,077	$17,077	20
Neil Levine	Senior Attorney	$0	$15,563	$15,563	20

Name	Title	Base	Other	Total	Hrs/Wk
Authur Bryant	Chairman	$268,696	$26,069	$294,765	22
Frank Paul Bland	Executive Direcdtor	$264,748	$18,982	$283,730	22
Kelly Simon	Development Director	$153,371	$10,705	$164,076	20
Victoria Ni	Director Of Finance & Admin	$73,278	$15,336	$88,614	30
Adele Kimmel	Senior Attorney	$0	$21,580	$21,580	20
James Hecker	Director, Environmental Enf.	$0	$17,658	$17,658	10
Leslie Brueckner	Senior Attorney	$0	$15,806	$15,806	20
Neil Levine	Senior Attorney	$0	$14,748	$14,748	20

Source: IRS Form 990 filings. Compensation includes base and other reported compensation.

Individual Political Donors

People from this organization who contributed to political campaigns

$50 Total Given

Democratic $50 (100%)

1 Contributions

$50 Avg Each

Top Individual Donors

1 Individual Donor

Steve Ralls 1 contribution • $50 avg

$50

Quick Insights

🏆

Most Active Donor Steve Ralls with 1 contributions

🎯

Top Recipient HARRIS FOR PRESIDENT — $50

Data from Federal Election Commission • Individual contributions only

COVID-19 PPP Loans

Paycheck Protection Program (2020-2021)

Fully Forgiven

Total Approved

$945K

Total Forgiven

$956K

101% forgiven

Jobs Retained

Loan Details 2 loans

$499,089

Forgiven

Forgiven: $506,104 100%

Approved Mar 17, 2021

Lender Truist Bank

Jobs Reported 41

Forgiven On Aug 11, 2022

$445,710

Forgiven

Forgiven: $450,155 100%

Approved Apr 14, 2020

Lender Truist Bank

Jobs Reported 27

Forgiven On Apr 15, 2021

Source: Small Business Administration • Paycheck Protection Program (2020-2021)

Partners & Funders

Grant funding relationships from IRS Form 990 filings

$559K Grants Received

5 Organizations

Top Funders

5 total

The Chicago Community Trust 2 grants

$400K

Amalgamated Charitable Foundation Inc

$98K

Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund

$28K

American Endowment Foundation

$25K

Give Lively Foundation Inc.

$8K

The Chicago Community Trust Amalgamated Charitable Foundation Inc Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund American Endowment Foundation Give Lively Foundation Inc.

Source: IRS Form 990 Schedule I filings. Amounts may span multiple tax years.

Contact

Get in touch with Public Justice Foundation

Phone

(202) 797-8600

Social

Visit Website

1620 L Street NW Ste 630 Washington, DC 20036

Public Justice Foundation

What They Focus On

Financial Information

How They Work

Identify Needs

Develop Programs

Deliver Services

Measure Impact

Programs and Initiatives

Core Services

Community Outreach

Support Programs

Team & Leadership

Steve Ralls

Kelly Simon

Leroy Hughes

Victoria Ni

Adele P Kimmel

Tammy W Sun

Lauren Guth Barnes

Josh Craddock

Kacey Baker

Leah M. Nicholls

Shelby Leighton

Jacqueline Arkush

Leslie Bailey

Brian Hardingham

Mariam Elbakr

Charles Moore

Alexandra Jordan

Jacquelyn Oesterblad

Dan Snyder

Jim Hecker

Haley Nicholson

Alexandra Brodsky

Leila Nasrolahi

Sophie Lenihan

Kathleen Morris

Brianna Dimas

Nicole Funaro

Sharon M McGowan

Joshua Craddock

Frank Bland

Alan R Brayton

Beth Terell

Brad J Moore

Ellen A Presby

Esther E Berezofsky

George W Shadoan

Harry G Deitzler

J Gary Gwilliam

Janet R Varnell

Jeffrey M Goldberg

Jeffrey P Foote

Joseph A Power Jr

Joseph W Cotchett

Mary A Parker

Michael E Withey

Michael L Pitt

Mona Lisa Wallace

Nicole Schultheis

Paul L Stritmatter

Peter Perlman

Preston Tisdale

Salvador A Liccardo

Sandra H Robinson

Steven E Fineman

Susan Vogel Saladoff

Tara D Sutton

Theodore J Leopold

Thomas M Dempsey

Thomas M Sobol

William A Trine

William E Snead

Amy E Keller

Andrew A Lemmon

Anne McGinness Kearse

Blythe Chandler

Elizabeth Chavez

Eric Fong