VLSP Has New Managing Attorney
by Mary Cook

Attorney Vicki Jacobs has joined the Voluntary Legal Services Program as the new managing attorney. This marks a change in the administrative structure of the organization, as Ellen Juarez will be stepping down from the position of program manager in order to pursue other interests, although she will remain with the program part-time. In Jacobs' words, "Ellen Juarez has very big shoes to fill. She has a tremendous wealth of knowledge about how legal services can best be provided to low income people, and she has guided VLSP over a period of tremendous change and growth."

But don't expect any sluggish period of adjustment from Jacobs. By all accounts she is a powerhouse, well suited to the task of trying to fill Juarez's shoes. A graduate of UCLA's law school, Jacobs has a background in several areas of law, including civil litigation and estate planning. She first moved to the Sacramento area in 1989 and in 1990 joined VLSP's Advisory Committee in order to get involved in Bar Association activities and meet other attorneys. Soon she was in the thick of things-she chaired the committee for two years, during which time she had the chance to be intimately involved in planning and executing fundraising activities and writing policy and procedure manuals. Jacobs has also served on the board of Women Lawyers of Sacramento, and she was awarded the State Bar President's Pro Bono Award for 1996.

When Juarez announced the change in her status, the Advisory Committee decided that hiring an attorney to replace her would allow the person in the top management position to have direct oversight of the legal aspects of the organization, such as the casework done by volunteers. This revamping of the administrative structure brings VLSP in line with other pro bono programs of its size, most of which are directed by managing attorneys. When asked what attracted her to the job, Jacobs replied, "I love the program, I believe in it strongly. It's extremely important that everybody has a shot at getting his or her legal problems resolved. VLSP serves so many people who otherwise wouldn't receive legal assistance." She also loves the program's committed staff and volunteers, and adds, "The chance to combine the practice of law with nonprofit management presents an interesting challenge."

Jacobs' colleagues are eager to sing her praises. Attorney Ann Perrin Farina describes her as, "The kind of take over and do it well type person that organizations salivate over. When there's something that needs to be done she just goes in and does it wholeheartedly -- even if it's unpleasant." Judge James Mize agrees. "She's a can-do person: When she's doing something, it's going to get done now and right. She's easy to work with, and she's always looking for ways to work cooperatively." Attorney Jean McEvoy cites Jacobs' diplomacy, ethics and ability to relate well to all types of people as qualities that will be valuable at VLSP. She says, "Vicki has an exceptional ability to analyze legal situations, and she also has common sense."

Jacobs points to the tremendous amount of growth VLSP has experienced under Juarez's leadership and says she's looking forward to furthering that growth. "I want to continue the work we've been doing, and I want to expand that work, especially education for clients about their legal obligations and rights. I want to expand our funding -- we're in a good place right now, and I want to make sure our managerial and financial base is as solid as possible after the period of growth we've had over the last few years." She believes that the future of the organization lies in the strong clinic model they've developed for working with clients. "The clinics allow the greatest number of clients to be served and they ease the court's pro per burden. Of course we'll continue to give direct representation when necessary, but I believe the greatest number of our cases will come from the clinics." Jacobs also emphasizes that she wants people to feel comfortable joining VLSP as volunteers and she encourages volunteers to call her to talk about their experience with the organization.