The nonprofit Legal Aid Society of San Diego has named its Midtown office building in memory of its longtime CEO, the late Gregory E. Knoll. The building houses the Consumer Center for Health Education & Advocacy that Knoll helped establish 25 years ago.

Knoll, who died last August at the age of 76, had worked for the Legal Aid Society of San Diego for 50 years. The nonprofit law firm, established in 1920, provides free legal services to low-income San Diego residents.

When Knoll took the helm in 1974, the law firm consisted of a small group of attorneys with a budget of $700,000. Under his guidance, it grew to a staff of 230, including 80 full-time attorneys, 200 volunteers and a budget of $28 million.

The firm is funded by city, county, state and federal grants along with endowments and charities. The nonprofit’s services are determined by its board of directors, which is made up of local attorneys and community members who are eligible to be the nonprofit’s clients.

Knoll was credited with revolutionizing the delivery of public health care to low-income community members. Under Knoll’s leadership, the Legal Aid Society of San Diego co-founded the Health Consumer Alliance, a coalition of 10 legal aid organizations throughout California that provide health consumer advocacy services and education.

Knoll served as the chair and co-chair of the Joint Professional and Consumer Advocacy Committee for San Diego County’s Healthy San Diego program since it started and served on the County of San Diego’s Health Services Advisory Board.

“Thanks to Greg’s efforts, not only did thousands of consumers obtain health care coverage and services, but countless more received information and education about their health care rights, and were given a voice and seat at the table in health care decisions that affected them, ” said Joanne Franciscus, CEO of the Legal Aid Society of San Diego. “In five decades of service to San Diego, Greg touched the lives of countless people during their most vulnerable moments when they most needed help.”

Last year, Knoll received the California Lawyers Association’s lifetime achievement award, the Lorin Miller Legal Services Award.

His other awards include the San Diego County Martin Luther King Jr. Drum Major for Justice Award, San Diego Barrio Station’s Cesar E. Chavez Social Justice Award, San Diego Law Library’s Bernard E. Witkin Award and San Diego County Bar Association’s Outstanding Attorney of the Year Award. In 2022, Knoll became the first legal aid director appointed to the State Bar Board of Trustees.

A plaque in honor of Knoll is at the entrance to the building at 1764 San Diego Ave. in downtown San Diego. The plaque says, “His visionary leadership and passionate advocacy for justice revolutionized legal services and transformed countless lives.”

A dedication ceremony was held April 18. Guests of honor at the ceremony included community leaders, Knoll’s widow and family members along with current and previous board members.