You Get What You Give: The New Radicals and CLF Share a Common Theme

The New Radicals, arguably a one-hit wonder 1990s band, is famously known for its song, “Get What You Give.” The tune remains popular as a significant part of pop rock culture and continues to receive countless downloads annually on a variety of music platforms. The song’s theme centers on idealists and the world they enter.

Now, enter the legal world. “We are idealists; rather civic-minded idealists committed to justice and the rule of law,” says attorney Jerrilyn Malana, with conviction, “I like the theme when thinking about our profession – you absolutely ‘get what you give.’”

CLF is the California Lawyers Foundation. As CLF’s new president, Malana, its board of directors, executive staff, and program volunteers have tasked themselves with delivering programs and resources that strengthen the legal profession, student-centered scholarships, mentorships, educational programs, and resources that open doors to legal careers and strengthen communities.

CLF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and the charitable arm of California Lawyers Association (CLA). Together, the two entities are dedicated to improving access to justice, increasing civic engagement, and fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion in the legal profession. The California Legal Pathways Collaborative (CLPC) has an important partnership role with both organizations, providing 25 high school law academies throughout California, impacting more than 3,100 “at promise” students each year, as the only fully supported attorney pathways program of its kind in the state.

Malana, a Chief Deputy District Attorney with the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office, has been an active member of CLA and contributor to CLF for many years. She was the inaugural Chair of CLA’s Civic Engagement and Outreach Committee, and she has a long history of volunteering her time to advocate for civic education. As CLF president, she and the organization’s board of directors have a lot on their agenda.

“We have an incredible board,” Malana says, who notes that the 2026 team includes both existing members as well as newly appointed participants. “The work accomplished by the Foundation in the past has been so meaningful, and we want to continue that momentum and growth.”

Malana, and CLF’s entire organization, firmly believe that you get more than you give when working to fulfill a mission which centers on access to justice and championing the rule of law, civic engagement and outreach, and the next generation of lawyers. It is important to those involved that California’s legal landscape reflect its population and that all people have access to justice. CLF serves both local and statewide communities and wants to gain even greater engagement in its outreach efforts.

Through generous contributions, CLF provided $55,000 in scholarships to deserving undergraduate and law school students last year. They held their inaugural Classic Fairways to Justice Golf Tournament in April 2025, where seasoned judges and attorneys took to the greens alongside students to benefit CLF’s scholarship program. CLF holds several symposiums throughout the year, as well as special Law Day, Legislative Day, and award events and activities. They also provide a variety of funding pathways.

“We want to become even more involved with our CLA community. Its membership represents the best in California’s legal profession,” explains Malana. “Whether you are able to volunteer your time to attend an event, give a presentation, or offer an internship opportunity for a student, there are so many ways to contribute to the next generation of lawyers.”

As an organization, funding is absolutely critical to CLF. It is not always a comfortable conversation, but CLF needs attorneys, legal professionals, and the community to support the Foundation financially. However, it doesn’t have to look the same for everyone. 

For example, CLF’s One Billable Hour campaign asks attorneys to give the equivalent of one billable hour to help its mission. The Founding Fifty is the most exclusive form of giving, available to only the first 50 people who contribute $10,000. Both giving opportunities have already received contributions, for which CLF is exceedingly grateful. In addition, CLA is assisting the Foundation by encouraging its members to make a small donation when renewing their association memberships for 2026-27.

“A lot of us had help to become attorneys,” reflects Malana. “Maybe it was a teacher, mentor, sponsor, lawyer, or judge who gave you advice or your first internship. I certainly benefited from having mentors and sponsors during my career. This is our chance to give back.”

CLF is pleased to announce that it will hold its Second Annual Classic Fairways to Justice Golf Tournament on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, at the Riverwalk Golf Course in San Diego. The tournament kicks-off CLA’s 2026 Annual Meeting, a three-day event beginning on Thursday, October 22 and filled with learning, engagement, and social opportunities.

“Participation or sponsorship in the golf tournament is a great way to benefit the Foundation,” Malana shares. “It’s inspiring and heartwarming to see attorneys and students sharing a special opportunity for connection and mentoring while playing a round of golf together.  In fact, last year one of the students got a hole-in-one and received a $5,000 scholarship from Jason Meyers, president and founder of 19th Hole Golf Productions, a generous donor to CLF.”

Getting what you give may be a one-hit wonder in the musical world, but in CLF’s legal world it’s a commitment to future generations of lawyers and a significant recognition that you often receive so much more than you give.

To learn more about California Lawyers Foundation and how to become involved, please visit: https://calawyersfoundation.org/