Mission & History

Our Mission

Asian Law Alliance, established in 1977, is a non-profit organization providing equal access to the justice system for Asian Pacific Islander and low-income populations in the Silicon Valley. 

Our mission is through providing legal counseling, community education and community organizing, we promote self-sufficiency, self-reliance, and a better quality of life for all.

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Our History

ALA was founded by a group of law students from the Asian Law Students Association at Santa Clara University School of Law. It began as an information and referral project to address unmet needs of a growing Asian American and Pacific Islander (“AAPI”) population within Santa Clara County. With support from the local chapter of the Japanese American Citizens League and the help of two young attorneys, Brad Yamauchi and Don Tamaki, ALA began taking its own cases in January 1977.

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Working for justice, dignity and equality

See how the Asian Law Alliance is vetted by nonprofit rating organizations.

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Photo by Project Citizen

Certificate for Platinum Transparency 2022 from Candid.

  • Nonprofit Racial Equity Pledge

    ALA adopted a Nonprofit Racial Equity Pledge articulating our commitment to centering the lived experience of people of color and oppressed communities in our organization’s decision-making.

    Read the Pledge

  • Financials

    The Asian Law Alliance is compliant with all U.S. federal tax regulations for 501c3 nonprofit entities. Our federal tax EIN number is: 94-2439581.

    • 2023 Form 990 / 2023 Form 990-T
    • 2022 Form 990