A lawyer who gave voice to the unheard
The following editorial was written by Chris Punongbayan, Executive Director of California ChangeLawyers, in memory of Jeff Adachi, San Francisco’s elected Public Defender for more than 15 years who unexpectedly passed away on Friday, February 22, 2019.
I first moved to San Francisco in 2004 as a newly-minted lawyer and was simply in awe of the fact that there was a person who looked like me — a person of color — Jeff Adachi, in a position of power and influence as head of the Public Defender’s office. Over the years, I had the privilege of meeting Jeff in person at various events. He was as kind a man as he was a fierce advocate.
Jeff’s life inspires me. He showed me that anyone can be a changemaker. Unlike so many lawyers who may come from elite backgrounds, Jeff didn’t. During World War II, his family was interned at Japanese American camps. He worked his way through community college in Sacramento before transferring to UC Berkeley and then earning his law degree at UC Hastings.
Jeff was a true social justice lawyer. Time after time, he went to bat for the most vilified members of the community, and he won. In 2017, in the throes of the national debate over immigration, Jeff’s team successfully defended an undocumented immigrant blamed for the death of a white Bay Area woman. Jeff also advocated for the creation of a special immigration team within the Public Defender’s office, only the third of its kind in the country, to safeguard defendants against deportation. He was a criminal justice reformer and spoke out against cash bail and police misconduct.
Jeff was also a cultural activist. He understood that social change happens by reaching hearts and minds. Jeff’s creative outlet was making films, many of which focused on racial inequities in America. I often thought to myself, “Is there anything this person can’t do?”
Jeff’s life and achievements have left behind a legacy that will inspire the next generation of social justice lawyers. Lesson number 1, show up. Lesson number 2, never give up. Lesson 3, do it with community. Thank you, Jeff, for showing us what it means to be a true ChangeLawyer. You made the world a better place. Your commitment to social justice for all will never be forgotten.
