Community Spotlight

Casa Cornelia

Klinedinst is honored to shine a spotlight on the organizations making a difference in our community. One of those organizations that we are proud to feature is the non-profit organization, Casa Cornelia.

Casa Cornelia Law Center is a San Diego County law firm dedicated to serving the public interest. They offer high-quality pro bono legal representation to victims of human and civil rights violations. In addition, their core focus is on impoverished members of the immigrant community. Casa Cornelia also aims to enlighten others about the effects of immigration law and policy on the community and the common good.

Casa Cornelia responded to 1,329 people, volunteered 15,102 hours, and had 429 volunteers in 2020 alone. They have three programs in place to assist people in need: one for asylum seekers, one for children, and one for victims of crime. To benefit our community, Casa Cornelia protects those who are in desperate need of relief. In addition, Casa Cornelia hosts the La Mancha Awards to recognize the dedication of volunteer attorneys, law firms, and other members for their remarkable community effort. There are numerous ways to help Casa Cornelia and ensure that those in need have access to resources that provide justice, safety, and freedom. They accept donations, free legal services, and pro bono legal representation and counsel.

Klinedinst is a long-standing supporter of Casa Cornelia and the excellent work they perform to provide pro bono legal services to victims of human and civil rights infringement. They have made a significant difference in the lives of these victims and are continuing to spread their positive actions towards a hopeful future.

Casa Cornelia Law Center is a 501(c)(3) public interest law firm providing quality legal services to victims of human and civil rights violations. Casa Cornelia has a primary commitment to indigent persons within the immigrant community in Southern California. It seeks to educate others regarding the impact of immigration law and policy on the community and the public good. The mission and spirit of Casa Cornelia is rooted in the tradition of service of the Society of the Holy Child Jesus and that of its founder, Cornelia Connelly. It encompasses the belief that God has chosen to need men and women in every age to reveal God’s love and to make known the reality of God’s saving presence through their service to others. Casa Cornelia seeks to foster a spirit of simplicity, honesty, kindness, and cheerfulness among colleagues and with those served. It has chosen Thomas More as the exemplar of these qualities to mark its practice of law.

To learn more about Casa Cornelia and the positive impact they are making in the community, please visit https://casacornelia.org/

Klinedinst PC is not affiliated with Casa Cornelia and provides this information as a service to the community. 

Facts at a Glance

Founded: 1992

Founder: Cornelia Connelly

Board Chair: Dr. Gloria Bader

Phone: (619) 231-7788

Email: LawCenter@CasaCornelia.org

Mailing Address: 2760 Fifth Avenue, Suite 200, San Diego, California 92103

Major Programs 

Asylum Seekers: At each stage of their immigration journey, indigent asylum seekers are provided with free counsel and representation. Casa Cornelia encourages those who were not born in the United States to apply to this program if they are unable to return to their home countries due to suffering or fear of persecution based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or identification with a specific social group.

Children: Casa Cornelia is San Diego’s only non-profit law firm that provides free legal services to the county’s detained unaccompanied minors. They serve immigrant children who are not in removal proceedings, non-detained children in removal proceedings, and every detained unaccompanied child in the area. This program is dedicated to the safety and rights of children. Their policy is that no child should ever appear in court alone.

Victims of Crime: Serves victims of domestic violence or serious crime, people forced to work or provide services through fraud or coercion, and people forced to engage in sex acts. Casa Cornelia responds to the urgent needs of unregistered victims of violent crimes by providing free legal representation to help them with their visa petitions, encouraging them to leave abusive relationships, reach economic independence, regain their self-esteem, and build a new life for themselves and their children.

External Links

Casa Cornelia Website
Charity Navigator
GuideStar