San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program Inc
The mission of San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program, inc. Is to provide equal access to the justice system by serving as a bridge between indigent and other disadvantaged people in san Diego county and the volunteer lawyers who are willing to donate their time and resources. Sdvlp provides an organized structure through which attorneys and other legal professionals provide pro bono assistance to low-income persons, primarily women and children, facing critical legal issues impacting their health, safety, and well-being, who would not otherwise be able to afford legal representation.
San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program Inc at a glance
In short: San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program Inc gave $55K across 2 grants in 2025 (avg $27K), mostly in California. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $54,678
- -3.7% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 2
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $27,339
- -3.7% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $27,339
- Total assets
- $9,491,517
- +56.7% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- California (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 2 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Logan Heights Community Development Corporation ($38K). Together the top 2 received $55K.
Grant Size Distribution
4 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 4 grants of 4 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 2 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2024 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $55K (2025) to $57K (2024). In 2025 it made 2 grants totaling $55K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Logan Heights Community Development Corporation San Diego, CA | To provide and promote collaborative workshops on business legal topics and provide legal representation | $37,601 |
| City Heights Community Development Corporation San Diego, CA | To provide and promote collaborative workshops on business legal topics and provide legal representation | $17,077 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $9,491,517 | $5,886,804 | $5,003,410 | $54,678 | 2 | $244,941 |
| 2024 | $6,055,578 | $4,494,585 | $4,527,130 | $56,806 | 2 | $189,513 |
| 2023 | $5,978,281 | $4,288,905 | $4,220,668 | — | — | $138,920 |
| 2022 | $4,831,653 | $3,338,641 | $3,286,216 | — | — | $102,434 |
| 2021 | $4,833,256 | $2,991,693 | $2,964,564 | — | — | $95,373 |
About San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program Inc
Based on IRS filings
San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program Inc is a public charity focused on Social Science, based in San Diego, CA. IRS filing data is available from 2021 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $9.5M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 2 grants totaling $55K. Net investment income was $245K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program Inc is led by Jennifer L. Nelson, CEO since 2022 (on filings since 2021); 5 of 30 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Jennifer L. Nelson
CEO
Pro Bono Manager → CEO, 2022
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$108K (2021) → $181K (2025)
Edward D. Vogel Esq.
Chair
Past Chair → Vice Chair, 2022
Vice Chair → Chair, 2023
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Siobhan A. Graham
Director, Human Resources & Administration
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$110K (2025)
Christopher M. Young Esq.
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Elizabeth L. Brann Esq.
Director
Chair → Director, 2023
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jeffrey M. Byer Esq.
Director
Past Chair → Director, 2023
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer Koh Esq.
Director
Director → Director at Large, 2022
Director at Large → Director, 2023
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kevin J. Patariu Esq.
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mark Kaufman
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael A. Amon Esq.
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael A. Attanasio Esq.
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael J. Gleason Esq.
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Shane Shelley Esq.
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sharon L. Cohen Esq.
Director
Director at Large → Director, 2023
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Timothy D. Cohelan Esq.
Director
Past Chair → Director, 2023
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Alejandro Alex E. Moreno Esq.
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sean M. Sullivan Esq.
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kirsten F. Gallacher Esq.
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Steven R. Smith Dean Emeritus
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Erin Hallagan Esq.
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Howie Bruno Esq.
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer M. Oliver Esq.
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mhairi L. Marsh Esq.
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Raymond Ray Martinez
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Heather Carmody
Supervising Attorney
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$105K (2023) → $113K (2025)
Christine Hall
Supervising Attorney
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$101K (2024) → $105K (2025)
Yulienka Cortez
Senior Accounting Manager
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$113K (2025)
Benjamin J. Morris Esq.
Vice Chair
Director → Vice Chair, 2023
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Randall R. Reed
Treasurer
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rosalie A. Kramm Csr
Secretary
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (22)
- Former: John L. Morrell Esq. (2021–2024) — Director
- Former: Dana Springs (2023–2024) — Deputy Chief for Administrator
- Former: Howard B. Wiener (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: John A. Scott Esq. (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Carrie Holmes (2023) — Pro Bono Manager & Supervising Attorney
- Former: Amy J. Fitzpatrick (2021–2022) — Prior CEO
- Former: Cheryl Martinez (2021–2022) — Senior Manager
- Former: Patricia Jakobcic (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Rosalie A. Kramm (2021–2022) — Secretary
- Former: Steven R. Smith (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Alexander Moreno (2021) — Director
- Former: Chris D. Humphreys (2021) — Director
- Former: Jay W. Jeffcoat (2021) — Director
- Former: Jeffrey Isaacs (2021) — Past Chair
- Former: Julie A. Vogelzang (2021) — Director
- Former: Leah Swearingen (2021) — Director at Large
- Former: Leslie Mackay (2021) — Supervising Atty
- Former: M. Andrew Woodmansee (2021) — Vice Chair
- Former: Meryl C. Maneker (2021) — Director
- Former: Paul A. Tyrell (2021) — Director
- Former: Samuel F. Hoffman (2021) — Director
- Former: Stephen C. Ferruolo (2021) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $181K, to Jennifer Nelson (CEO). 5 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program Inc
How much does San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program Inc give each year?
San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program Inc gave $55K across 2 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $57K across 2 grants.
How large is San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program Inc?
San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program Inc reported $9.5M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $5.9M.
What is San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program Inc?
San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program Inc is a public charity focused on Social Science, based in San Diego, CA. It holds $9.5M in total assets as of 2025.
Where does San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program Inc operate?
San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program Inc has awarded grants in California.
What is San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program Inc's EIN?
San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 33-0016681. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
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