2022 was a big year for the Campaign for Equal Justice. The Campaign revived some of its most cherished traditions, but also navigated big changes and new opportunities.

The CEJ returned to holding in-person events across the state – kicking off the year with an evening Gala celebrating legal aid and CEJ supporters; helping Central Oregon hold on to the Justice Cup with incredibly high regional support; welcoming a big crew of University of Oregon supporters in Lane County; celebrating in Medford at a local winery; and holding our Salem regional lunch for the 26th year in a row (with higher than pre-pandemic attendance). We also launched a new Retired Attorneys Committee with an event at Ruby Vineyard.

As CEJ Board President, I got to meet CEJ donors and volunteers around the state, and found a community of supporters that is as strong as ever. We have stayed together through canceled events and Zoom trivia, through lockdowns and uncertain financial times, through upheaval and renewal. Through it all, CEJ and our supporters continued to show up as we have for thirty-two years and counting.

We show up because we know that rising prices and housing shortages affect us all, but low-income Oregonians are hit especially hard. When our most vulnerable are faced with a legal emergency on top of already stretched resources, families fall into debt and whole communities are less stable. We show up because we know that legal aid programs make our communities stronger. CEJ's partnership with legal aid harnesses the financial support and advocacy of the legal community and enables every member of the Oregon State Bar to contribute.

One big change in 2022 was the departure of Maya Crawford Peacock, our Executive Director for seven successful years. Maya joined the office of Governor Kotek as Executive Appointments Director in January. The CEJ Board interviewed some exceptional candidates, and are pleased to have hired Ayla Ercin as our new Executive Director in March of 2023. Ayla spent two years as the Campaign’s Annual Fund Director before becoming Executive Director. She grew up in Georgia, and practiced law in New York, but has found Oregon’s support of legal aid the strongest she has seen anywhere in the country. She looks forward to heading up the CEJ as it grows and changes. Ayla's role change has enabled the hiring of our new Annual Fund Director, Katie Drumm, and some other staff role adjustments. The Board anticipates these changes will bring fresh energy to our events and work in 2023-24.

Looking through the photos and snapshots we collected at our events this year, and reading about clients like Kelly and her family, I am proud of all the ways the legal community came together in 2022 to help justice protect our clients, their families, and the entire judicial system. I look forward to welcoming you back again in 2023.

Sincerely,

Kathryn Olney
Board President, Campaign for Equal Justice