Everyone should have

equal access to

equal justice under the law

What Do We Do?

  • Access to Justice

    First and foremost, we are a veteran-owned legal aid nonprofit, helping connect people with pro bono or low-cost legal services.

  • Giveaways

    Even with legal aid, access to justice can be out of reach if you lack resources, so we sponsor giveaways and financial aid to those in need.

  • Community Support

    Many crimes result from people who were struggling with food insecurity, so we partner with local organizations to sponsor community fridges full of free, healthy food.

  • Advocacy Skills

    To help people cultivate advocacy skills, we regularly sponsor free or low-cost events and webinars to teach the public great advocacy skills.

  • Legal Education

    To help boost people’s familiarity with the law and their legal issues, we routinely sponsor free or low-cost legal education events.

  • Events

    Lastly, we also sponsor and help plan fun community events in general, to help build stronger communities and bring people together!

An “amicus curiae” is a neutral, trustworthy person or group who helps the justice system and expects nothing in return.

The Amicus Curiae Foundation is here to help bridge the gap in access to justice, one step at a time.

Past Events

Our Celebration of Life Events

Since October 2019, we’ve hosted frequent Celebration of Life events that connect estate planning attorneys with people who need a will but cannot afford one.

Legal Education

During the pandemic, we shifted focus away from in-person events and focused instead on webinars, by leading dozens of free Zoom classes on topics covering many areas of law and advocacy topics.

Mock Trial / Moot Court

The best way to practice advocacy is by jumping right into a real case. A mock trial or moot court is a fictitious case, usually based on current events, and students in high school, college, or law school play a role as a mock attorney or witness. To that end, we plan on hosting annual mock trials and moot courts for students!

Community Fridge

This year, with the help of a generous ChangeX grant, we were able to partner with a San Antonio church and serve the community with a community fridge, full of free, nutritious food.

Access to Justice Hotline

We are currently running a 24/7 hotline, staffed by a growing network of experienced attorneys, to connect people with legal questions to attorneys who are willing to give them support and guidance at significantly reduced nonprofit rate.

Workshops

For 2024, we plan on hosting some great workshops, structured around the topic of advocacy skills, negotiation skills, and critical thinking skills, taught by experienced trial lawyers who use these skills every day in court. None of this is free for us, however, so your contribution is immensely appreciated.

  • Gurney F. Pearsall III

    FOUNDER + BOARD PRESIDENT

    As a law student, Gurney discovered a passion for volunteer work, and volunteered 1,000 hours of pro bono work by the time he graduated. As a new attorney, he decided to centralize his pro bono work through a new legal aid nonprofit, the Amicus Curiae Foundation.

    Gurney has handled cases free of charge, including divorces for battered women and criminal defense cases for the homeless. He’s also about to complete his 1,000th hour of volunteer work as a crisis counselor at Crisis Text Line.

    As a captain in the US Army Reserves JAG Corps, Gurney serves his country by serving its Soldiers, taking care of their legal problems and taking that enormous weight off their shoulders. For his volunteer work, CPT Pearsall has earned two Outstanding Volunteer Service Medals.

    But there is only so much that one person can afford to do on their own. The Foundation and its volunteer services have been able to thrive over the past four years because its board members are willing to work for free, and even pay out of pocket for nonprofit expenses. But if the Foundation can offer so much without a budget, imagine how much more we can do with a budget!

    To that end, we are kicking off our first fundraising campaign. With some fundraising, this Foundation will be able to change even more people’s lives, make our expensive justice system that much more accessible to everyday people, and connect even more people in need of legal aid with the legal assistance and attorneys they need. We hope you’ll join us along the way!

  • Naomi Taylor

    BOARD SECRETARY

    Naomi Taylor is a passionate and accomplished individual with a strong background in Computing & Cybersecurity Information Technology. She earned her Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences from Texas A&M University-San Antonio in December 2022.

    Throughout her academic journey, Naomi actively engaged in various community projects and extracurricular activities. As the Vice President of The Amicus Curiae Foundation, she displayed her financial planning acumen and organized community events to support and educate members in making informed decisions. Naomi also served as the Committee Chair for Towne Twin Village, where she skillfully facilitated community engagement and integration of emerging technologies.

    In her professional career, Naomi serves as the Operations Director at Deft Taste, a role that showcases her expertise in data analysis and business acumen. She ensures transparency in seasonal progress, manages risks, and fosters communication among teams to drive continuous improvements.

    Naomi's commitment to community involvement extended to her role as a Women's Commission Intern at the Mayor's Office, where she built community ties and followed risk and compliance policies meticulously. Additionally, during her time as an intern at the Bexar County District Attorney's Office, she exhibited her dedication to upholding integrity through case re-examinations and thorough file organization.

    Beyond her work and community engagements, Naomi is an avid public speaker, having participated in various events and discussions, including speaking at a grassroots press conference and addressing city council meetings.

    In her spare time, Naomi enjoys pursuing her interests in collecting meteorites and honing her culinary skills. Her passion for knowledge and dedication to making a positive impact on the community continues to drive her forward in her endeavors.