Cy pres awards

California Rural Legal Assistance, Inc. (CRLA) is an ideal place to direct cy pres awards. 

Our strategic advocacy and wide-ranging case docket advance the interests of class members or similarly situated people in many cases, and provide a collective, continuous service to the public interest.

Cy pres awards are derived from class action litigation settlement funds that, for a variety of reasons, cannot be distributed to the class members or beneficiaries who were the intended recipients of the settlement. Under the cy pres doctrine, courts can distribute these residual funds to nonprofit organizations that advance the interests of the class and people similarly situated. Counsel in an individual case often nominates nonprofit organizations whose missions reflect the concerns of the case to receive these funds.

While the courts determine whether a recommended recipient is appropriate for a cy pres award, attorneys can play an important role in directing cy pres awards to CRLA.

For more information about cy pres awards or to request support drafting related court documents, please contact our Director of Pro Bono and Strategic Partnerships at probonosupport@crla.org or (510) 267-0762.