Why CLF? Jerrilyn Malana, Vice President, California Lawyers Foundation, Shares Her “Why”

April 2025

Whether you binged all six seasons of Better Call Saul, enjoy settling in on the couch for a weekly dose of Law and Order: Special Victims Unit, or can’t get enough of true crime documentaries produced by Netflix, these programs all have something in common. They each share a “take” on the life and work of attorneys.

While these programs show courtroom drama played out on TV, there’s almost never a truthful portrayal of what it means to be a lawyer. You’re probably not handling just one case at a time. You may never see the inside of a courtroom, and your office most likely doesn’t have a single case file sitting neatly on the middle of your desk. (If you can even see the top of your desk.)

Jerrilyn Malana, Chief Deputy District Attorney with the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office, just smiles about this global image of “the attorney.” She serves as special counsel and chief of human resources for the largest legal employer in the San Diego region. She literally rolls up her sleeves on a regular basis alongside more than 1,100 DA Office employees, and she works long hours during the workweek and on weekends.

Aside from her busy day job, she is also highly committed to her volunteer work. Her list of activities is long. She is a past President of the San Diego County Bar Association, and she continues to serve on multiple committees. Jerri is an active member of the California Civic Learning Partnership for San Diego County, which seeks to improve civic education for students in grades K to 12. She’s also a member of the California Supreme Court’s State Bar Trustees Nominating Committee. Jerri also serves on Governor Newsom’s Judicial Selection Advisory Committee for San Diego County, which assists the Governor’s office in vetting judicial candidates. She also serves as a Trustee for the UC San Diego Foundation. 

Jerri was the inaugural Chair of California Lawyers Association’s (CLA) Civic Engagement and Outreach Committee (CEO) in 2019, and currently remains an active member. Since the launch of the CEO Committee, Jerri has worked alongside several passionate and dedicated committee members to raise awareness about the importance of civic knowledge and participation especially in grades K to 12. 

At the end of her CLA term, when other people might need a break, instead Jerri decided to “double down.”

She is now highly committed to volunteering for California Lawyers Foundation (CLF), the charitable arm and partner of CLA. She currently serves as CLF’s Vice President, donating countless hours to programs, projects, and activities to further the Foundation’s mission to promote excellence, diversity and inclusion in the legal profession, and fairness in the administration of justice and the rule of law. This includes access to justice and civic education programs such as CLF’s California Legal Pathways Collaborative (CLPC) which brings the law and civics engagement into high school classrooms.

“Jerri is a kind and compassionate colleague and someone who deeply cares about service to her community,” says Jeremy M. Evans, CLF President. She has served well as Vice President of the California Lawyers Foundation.”

In a recent interview, Jerri discussed her work, her passion, and the need to support California Lawyers Foundation.

Q: Why Volunteer?

A: I feel an obligation and duty to give back to the community. Service to the community has been part of my DNA for decades. Lawyers hold a special position in society. In whatever capacity we can give, whether it be our time, talent or “treasure” (i.e., opening our wallets), we can all do something. We are in a privileged profession, and with this privilege comes the responsibility to use our skills for the greater good. This means not just focusing on our careers and personal success but also thinking about how we can give back to society. We can help change the trajectory of someone’s life in a positive way by volunteering.

Q: Why CLF?

A: The work of the Foundation resonates deeply with me. Throughout my career, I have dedicated myself to community service. The three core pillars of our Foundation—access to justice, civic education and outreach, and diversity and inclusion—are principles I passionately believe in. These areas are incredibly important to our legal profession and the community at large.

CLF provides a statewide platform to give back. Our Foundation has a significant footprint, enabling us to make a meaningful impact alongside other like-minded attorneys who recognize the importance of community service and engagement. We have the ability to extend our reach beyond our local areas and we can address broader statewide issues.

Q: How does CLF impact you directly?

A: I grew up in a modest means household as a child of immigrants. My parents only received high school diplomas, but they valued education and pushed me to aim higher. As the first person in my family to graduate from college, I have been fortunate to receive support from numerous mentors and sponsors throughout my career. Scholarships have also played a significant role in my journey. I will always be grateful to a former boss who believed in me as a young professional and inspired me to pursue law school. Her mentorship and encouragement were the catalysts for my rewarding legal career. The work that CLF does, especially with our youth and teens, allows me to give back in a similar way that others have helped me. For instance, our California Legal Pathways Collaborative (CLPC) brings both law and civic education to high school classrooms across the state. Working with students to help them explore legal careers, and pursue college and law school, is a truly meaningful way for lawyers to give back and inspire the next generation.

Q: What do you tell your colleagues about your work with CLF?

A: I often tell other attorneys that they can come ‘full circle’ when they volunteer for both CLA and CLF. You can discover projects and programs that truly resonate with your life. It’s incredibly fulfilling to say “yes” to participating, and the rewards you receive from giving back are immeasurable.  I will always champion the cause and encourage others to get involved.

To learn more about California Lawyers Foundation, visit: https://calawyersfoundation.org/.