Public Law Center Board of Directors names noted immigration law and immigrant rights champion to lead organization into the next 40 years of services to Orange County.
Santa Ana – We are excited to announce that Monica Eav Glicken has been selected as PLC’s next Executive Director and General Counsel. Monica has served as the Directing Attorney of PLC’s Immigration Unit since 2018, during which time she rebuilt the Unit to a 10-person team with over $1 million in grant funding. Monica will begin transitioning into her new role alongside retiring Executive Director Ken Babcock in December 2022 and assume the Executive Director and General Counsel title on January 16, 2023.
“Following a several months’ long nationwide search, we are thrilled to announce Monica Glicken as our next Executive Director. Monica is a superstar! She has the passion, drive, intellect and charisma to be an exceptional leader, and we look forward to her guidance, initiative and stewardship as we usher PLC into the next chapter,” said Nicole Whyte, PLC Board of Directors Vice President and incoming President for 2023.
Monica is a Harvard-educated Immigration Law expert and was featured for her representation of a PLC client in The Facility, a documentary short-listed for a 2022 Academy Award nomination. After graduating magna cum laude in Literature from Harvard University, Monica served as a Fulbright Fellow in the Philippines and a Corps Member and Service Team Leader with City Year Greater Philadelphia. Monica then graduated cum laude from Harvard Law School and clerked for the Honorable Anita B. Brody of the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Monica began her career in Immigration Law as an Attorney Advisor in the Immigration Court while based in Chicago, Illinois. A decade-long tenure in private practice followed in both Chicago and Seal Beach, California. Prior to joining PLC, Monica served as a Counseling Attorney and Adjunct Lecturer in UC Irvine School of Law’s Immigration Rights Clinic.
Monica’s appointment concludes a national, months-long search in partnership with Morris & Berger Consulting to find Ken Babcock’s successor. “We once again thank Ken Babcock for over two decades of leadership at PLC, during which he has trained and worked with the leadership of every civil legal aid organization in Orange County. The legal-aid community will forever be grateful for Ken’s outstanding service and incredible leadership, which will continue throughout the transition to Monica’s tenure,” said Christy Lea, PLC Board of Directors President.
“I have no doubt Monica will transform PLC for the better the same way she has revitalized our Immigration Unit and expanded our pro bono engagements. She has an amazing combination of passion for our mission, care for our clients, and concern for our staff, volunteers, and partners. I look forward to working with Monica during our transition and to supporting her and PLC in the years to come,” said Ken Babcock.
“I am honored and thrilled to be stepping into the role of Executive Director of PLC. As the child of immigrants and a long-time advocate for those who must fight to be heard, I care deeply about access to justice and community empowerment. I hope to deepen PLC’s commitment to the communities we serve, expand our already robust pro bono programs, and strengthen our role as servant-leaders and champions of justice in Orange County. I look forward to building upon Ken Babcock’s great leadership of the past 22 years as we move into PLC’s next chapter,” said Monica Eav Glicken.
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