Dear Community,
Welcome to Legal Aid of Marin’s first-ever newsletter! We are excited to have a dedicated space to keep our community informed, connected, and up to date on everything happening at LAM. Thank you to LAM’s Development Associate, Giovana Torres-Lorenzotti, who worked hard to bring you this newsletter and is strengthening LAM’s capacity to deepen our impact in the service of Marin’s marginalized communities. 2026 is already proving to be a milestone year at LAM. This Enero, we launched a medical-legal partnership with Ritter Center and began building our new Immigration Legal Services program. Our Employment Law team, meanwhile, helped our clients secure major settlements and prevail in complex cases, advancing workers’ rights across Marin. We invite you to spend a few minutes with this newsletter and see the meaningful work your support makes possible.
Laura // Lo McMahon
Executive Director
EMPLOYMENT LAW SPOTLIGHT
Cin’s Fight Against Age Discrimination
For months, Cin endured age-related discrimination at her work. Every day took a toll on her mental health, but she couldn’t afford to leave without a plan.
She spent months searching for legal help. Every attorney she contacted said the same thing: unless her employer fired her, she didn’t have a case. And then, Cin called Legal Aid of Marin.
LAM’s Employment Law Staff Attorney, Adriana Perera, took her case and promptly filed a discrimination claim. A few months later, and with Ms. Perera’s help, Cin settled her claim for $35,000. The settlement agreement gave Cin the financial security to leave on her own terms and the freedom to uncover what comes next.
A Glimpse Into What We’ve Been Up To
Housing Policy and Advocacy Win
Novato Passes Tenant Protection Ordinance
After 42 residents at Romar Court were displaced with just days’ notice, LAM, coupled with advocates, partners, and impacted community members, came together to advocate for stronger tenant safeguards. On Marzo 24, the Novato City Council unanimously approved a tenant protection ordinance on first reading. The ordinance returns to the City Council for a vote in late Abril.
New Programming
Medical-Legal Partnership with the Ritter Center
Launched in Enero, our new medical-legal partnership embeds a LAM housing staff attorney directly into Ritter Center weekly. Patients facing eviction or housing instability can now get legal help during walk-in clinics every Lunes, with no referrals or additional appointments needed. The goal is to intervene early and prevent homelessness before it starts.
Advocacy in Sacramento
LAM Takes Our Fight to the State Capitol
This quarter, LAM traveled to Sacramento twice to advocate on behalf of Marin’s most marginalized residents. Executive Director Laura McMahon represented LAM at Legal Aid Advocacy Day. Our Employment Law team and Development Associate made public comment in support of continued Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) funding for crime victims.
Ramping up…
Immigration Legal Services Program
This quarter, we welcomed two new team members: our Immigration Justice Staff Attorney and Pro Bono Manager. Along with LAM’s Executive Director, Legal Director, and Director of Programs, they’re building LAM’s new immigration legal services program and have already served clients through limited representation clinics. Stay tuned for updates as this much-needed program grows.