The Public Interest Law Project (PILP) is thrilled to congratulate our Co-Founder and Director of Litigation and Advocacy, Michael Rawson, on his selection by the California Lawyers Association as the 2025 Loren Miller Awardee. Presented by the California Commission on Access to Justice and the Legal Aid Association of California, this lifetime achievement award is given annually to a California lawyer who has demonstrated a long-term commitment to legal services and expanding access to justice for those most in need.

Michael co-founded PILP alongside Stephen Ronfeldt in 1996 after the adoption of strict federal limitations on local legal services programs, including prohibiting class action litigation, legislative advocacy, and representation of undocumented immigrants. His work over more than forty years includes litigation of nearly 100 impact cases alongside local legal service providers, shaping dozens of housing and land use laws, training thousands of advocates, and authoring significant publications including PILP’s California Housing Element Manual, widely regarded as the definitive resource on the subject.

Michael is also a deeply generous and patient mentor to attorneys and advocates across California. His guidance has shaped the trajectories of countless individuals and organizations toward a focus on affordable housing, tenants’ rights, and racial and economic justice.

“As the Executive Director of PILP, I have the privilege of continuing the work that Michael helped shape,” said Shashi Hanuman. “I’m deeply grateful for his ongoing leadership as Director of Litigation and Advocacy—and for the mentorship, vision, and generosity he’s shared with me and so many others.”

We all at PILP join the California Lawyers Association in recognizing Michael’s lifetime of extraordinary commitment to the rights, dignity and safety of low-income people.

Congratulations Michael!