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Make a donation to the
Public Law Center to ensure that low income families and those who have nowhere else to turn get a fair shake in our sometimes confusing and complex legal system.
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Free with one visit to
the bankruptcy clinic
March 29, 2017
5:30 - 9:15 pm
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Greetings,
Welcome to Spring! The season has brought some new beginnings at PLC, as we have filled a variety of positions, including staffing a new project providing holistic legal services to victims of crime. While these cases will primarily arise in our family law and immigration units, you will also see them in housing, health law and consumer law.
Having previously been victimized, these clients are some of our most vulnerable. Our goal as advocates is to conduct a comprehensive intake so that we can provide assistance with as many of the legal issues as possible. For example, we are seeking assistance for the following individuals, to help them take back control of their life:
- A name change for a single mom who sought protection from an abuser for herself and her child at a local shelter
- A divorce for a woman who has been in an abusive relationship for close to 10 years
- A custody case for a survivor of domestic violence who is concerned about her abuser having visitation rights when she knows he is using drugs
If you are able to take on one of these cases to help these resilient individuals get back on their feet, you will help them take the first step to ensure their safety going forward.
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Sincerely,
Leigh Ferrin,
Directing Attorney,
Pro Bono Programs
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We Make Pro Bono Easy!
PLC is here to support you in your pro bono representation.
Did you know that PLC staff can:
- Answer questions you may have related to your case;
- Provide a mentor to help you;
- Supply you with samples and manuals in many areas of the law;
- Review documents and pleadings;
- Provide interpretation support in Spanish and Vietnamese;
- Arrange office space for you to meet with your client at PLC; and
- Provide malpractice coverage for your PLC pro bono case
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ADOPTION
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No cases at this time.
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APPEALS
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No cases at this time.
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BANKRUPTCY
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Bankruptcy, PLC 17-1037222
Client is in her early 60s with debts totaling about $40,000. Client lost her job at the end of last year and has struggled to make ends meet since then. She has relied on her unemployment and drained her savings to stay current on her debts, but can no longer afford to do so. She seeks assistance with filing a Chapter 7 bankruptcy to discharge her debts.
Bankruptcy, PLC 16-1036835
Client is a monolingual Spanish speaker in her early 40s with debts totaling about $35,000. Client is low-income and stopped paying her credit cards in early 2016 because she was unable to continue making payments while helping to support her 4 children. She fears possible wage garnishments in the future. Client seeks help filing a Chapter 7 bankruptcy to discharge her debts.
Email Directing Attorney Leigh Ferrin
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BENEFITS
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Employment/Benefits (ALAP) - PLC 17-1037060
Client requests legal and counsel in preparing for an upcoming hearing to appeal a denial of Unemployment Insurance Benefits from the Employment Development Department (EDD). Client strongly believes he was fired unfairly. He now seeks to challenge the ruling set forth by the EDD. Client relied on his employment wages as his only source of income. He is actively seeking a new job, but hopes that he can obtain Unemployment Insurance Benefits in the meantime. Client must currently pay for COBRA to ensure that he keeps his private health insurance, to treat a serious medical condition with which he lives.
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CONSERVATORSHIP
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Conservatorship, PLC 16-1034837
Client us a 44-year-old widow and a monolingual Spanish speaker. She has a 20 year old developmentally disabled son with muscular dystrophy. He has a difficult time communicating with others and gets overwhelmed when faced with having to make decisions about his medical care and treatment. Client seeks assistance with a conservatorship so she can continue to make medical decisions on behalf of her son.
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CUSTODY
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Custody, PLC 17-1037101
Client seeks assistance with custody modification and visitation orders for her minor children. Client suffered from domestic violence throughout the course of the relationship. Recently, client learned that adverse party has a drug addiction to crystal meth and drinks every weekend. Adverse party has not shown up for court ordered visitation. Client speaks Spanish.
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DISABILITY RIGHTS
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Illegal Lockout, PLC 17-1036951
Client is a veteran who was renting an apartment with a roommate. Before the lease was set to expire, the landlord issued a three-day notice and locked out Client without going through the court process. Client has not been allowed access to the unit. Client believes the illegal lockout was the result of the landlord discovering that he had a disability. Client would like assistance obtaining his belongings as well as damages for the illegal, discriminatory lockout.
Fair Housing/Discrimination, PLC 16-1036999
A Landlord told Client, a disabled, US Army veteran tenant that he would not provide any special accommodation for Client's disability. Landlord told Client he should move to a new location that is willing and able to meet his special needs. Three weeks later, landlord moved to terminate Client's tenancy. Client is now in the process of defending unlawful detainer lawsuit. Client would like assistance pursuing a discrimination claim against Landlord, through the Department of Fair Employment and Housing and/or the court.
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DISSOLUTION
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Divorce, PLC 17-1037171
Client is in her mid-20s and is seeking assistance with initiating divorce proceedings against her current husband, from whom she is separated. Client has been married to her husband for almost 9 years during which she has suffered verbal, emotional, and physical abuse. Although Client works full-time and provides for herself, she is low-income and seeks assistance from a volunteer divorce attorney. Client and her husband did not acquire any real property during the marriage and they do not have any children together.
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EMPLOYMENT
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Employment/Benefits (ALAP), PLC 17-1037060
Client requests legal and counsel in preparing for an upcoming hearing to appeal a denial of Unemployment Insurance Benefits from the Employment Development Department (EDD). Client strongly believes he was fired unfairly. He now seeks to challenge the ruling set forth by the EDD. Client relied on his employment wages as his only source of income. He is actively seeking a new job, but hopes that he can obtain Unemployment Insurance Benefits in the meantime. Client must currently pay for COBRA to ensure that he keeps his private health insurance, to treat a serious medical condition with which he lives.
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GUARDIANSHIP
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No cases at this time.
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HOMEOWNERSHIP
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Homeownership Fraud, PLC 17E-1037013
Client and his wife were induced to purchase a home with another couple, and the assistance of a real estate agent. Clients invested significant money into the purchase, but for financial reasons were not on title to the home. The other couple is now trying to sell the home, where Clients live, and is denying that Clients are owed anything from the sale. Clients would like to recover the money invested in the home at the very least.
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IMMIGRATION
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U-Visa, PLC 17-1037124
Client is a 24 year old mother of two U.S. citizen children who came to the U.S. from Mexico when she was 1 year old. Client was in an abusive, on-and-off relationship for several years with the father of her children. There was a particularly brutal incident four years ago that resulted in the ex-boyfriend being sentenced to two years in jail for domestic-violence related charges. Client testified at the trial. Client would like assistance applying for a U-Visa.
Family Petition, Waiver Needed, PLC 16-1036253
Client has a chronic illness and needs to bring his spouse to the United States because he needs him for financial support, physical assistance, and emotional support. Client and his spouse were married in the United States in 2013 (when the spouse was undocumented), and then attempted to relocate to El Salvador. Client's medication was too expensive and/or unavailable, so Client returned to the United States. His spouse was unable to return with him due to his undocumented status. The couple has established their relationship for immigration purposes, but needs to request a waiver for the spouse's prior undocumented entry so that he may return to the United States to be with Client. The spouse has no criminal history or arrests.
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LANDLORD / TENANT
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Rent Abatement, PLC 17-1037063
Clients, a married couple with a young daughter, rented a studio apartment in a single-family home for a couple of years. During their time there, there were multiple problems with the unit, including no heat, no working oven, no appropriate emergency exits and cockroaches and rats on the premises. The landlord made no repairs, despite multiple notices from the city. Clients would like to pursue an action against their former landlord for rent abatement and other relief for the conditions they endured.
Illegal Lockout, PLC 17-1036951
Client is a veteran who was renting an apartment with a roommate. Before the lease was set to expire, the landlord issued a three-day notice and locked out Client without going through the court process. Client has not been allowed access to the unit. Client believes the illegal lockout was the result of the landlord discovering that he had a disability. Client would like assistance obtaining his belongings as well as damages for the illegal, discriminatory lockout.
Email Equal Justice Works AmeriCorps Legal Fellow Tessa Riggio
Fair Housing/Discrimination, PLC 16-1036999
A Landlord told Client, a disabled, US Army veteran tenant that he would not provide any special accommodation for Client's disability. Landlord told Client he should move to a new location that is willing and able to meet his special needs. Three weeks later, landlord moved to terminate Client's tenancy. Client is now in the process of defending unlawful detainer lawsuit. Client would like assistance pursuing a discrimination claim against Landlord, through the Department of Fair Employment and Housing and/or the court.
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LITIGATION
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Patent Infringement, PLC 17-1037122
Client is in his early 60s. Client invented and patented technology around which he has developed a business. Client filed a patent infringement case in federal court and has survived a motion to dismiss. Client seeks assistance with litigating the case.
Homeownership Fraud, PLC 17E-1037013
Client and his wife were induced to purchase a home with another couple, and the assistance of a real estate agent. Clients invested significant money into the purchase, but for financial reasons were not on title to the home. The other couple is now trying to sell the home, where Clients live, and is denying that Clients are owed anything from the sale. Clients would like to recover the money invested in the home at the very least.
Federal Civil Rights Litigation, PLC 16-1036455
Client is in his 50s and he has been litigating a civil rights case in the Federal District Court since for the last few years. Client is seeking damages for injuries resulting from inadequate medical care he received while incarcerated. Client is in the process of opposing a Motion for Summary Judgment set to be heard at the end of January 2017. Trial is currently set for early 2017 but the parties believe it will be continued to mid-2017. Client fears he will be unable to oppose the Motion for Summary Judgment or represent himself at trial and seeks assistance so that his case is decided on the merits rather than procedural technicalities.
Restitution Collection, PLC 16-103TBD
Client was the victim of a foreclosure rescue scam that cost Client thousands of dollars. The perpetrator was prosecuted by the Orange County District Attorney, was placed on probation and had a restitution order entered against her. The perpetrator paid about one third of the restitution order while on probation. Now that the perpetrator is off probation, Client seeks to convert the restitution order to a civil judgment and collect from the perpetrator's assets.
Email DIrecting Attorney Leigh Ferrin
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NAME CHANGE
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Name Change, PLC 17-1037137
Client is a single mother, seeking assistance with petitioning the court for a Name Change for herself and her young son. Client and her son currently reside at a shelter for victims of domestic violence. She seeks to change their names and identities so that she and her son can begin to rebuild their lives.
Name Change, PLC 17-1037160
Clients are seeking a name change for their six year old daughter. When their daughter was born, the father erroneously wrote down the daughter's last name as the mother's maiden name. All parties want the daughter to have the father's last name, and they need legal assistance to do so.
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NONPROFIT
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Nonprofit (Health Education) - Start-up, PLC 17-1037200
The client is a new nonprofit organization, whose mission is to provide mentorship and scholarships for Latino students who are interested in pursuing a career in the medical field. Client seeks legal advice and guidance with forming a California nonprofit public benefit corporation and completing the post-incorporation formalities. Client also seeks assistance with obtaining federal and state tax exemption.
Nonprofit (Education) - Programs, PLC 16-1036294
Client is an existing 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to support students through enrichment of academics, arts and athletics. Client wishes to establish a scholarship program for students and seeks legal advice and guidance with creating a scholarship trust to hold funds. Client's deadline to establish the program is May 2017.
Nonprofit (Education) - Intellectual Property Licensing Agreement, PLC 17-1037141
Client is a nonprofit organization currently working with a fiscal sponsor. Client has created intellectual property, which the fiscal sponsor would like to use. Client seeks legal assistance with preparing a licensing agreement between itself and the sponsor for the use of the property.
Nonprofit (Education) - Programs, PLC 16-1036294
Client is an existing 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to support students through enrichment of academics, arts and athletics. Client wishes to establish a scholarship program for students and seeks legal advice and guidance with creating a scholarship trust to hold funds. Client's deadline to establish the program is May 2017.
Nonprofit (Family Support) - Contracts, PLC 17-1037055
Client is an existing 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to support and assist low income single parents achieve economic independence through education and personal development. Client is entering into a partnership with another nonprofit organization, and seeks legal assistance with drafting a Memorandum of Understanding.
Nonprofit (Sobriety Support) - Social Enterprise/Taxation, PLC 17-1037056
Client is a new 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to support men and women, and veterans in particular, who have struggled with substance abuse. As a way of raising funds, client intends to sell logo merchandise on its website. Client seeks legal advice and guidance on how to structure the sales to maintain its nonprofit status. Client also seeks assistance with obtaining a seller's permit from the CA Board of Equalization.
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SMALL BUSINESS
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Small Business (Health Products) - Start-up, Commercial Lease Review, PLC 17-1037197
The client is a low-income entrepreneur who is starting a new retail small business to encourage a healthy lifestyle for local residents. The business is currently structured as a sole-proprietorship. Client seeks legal advice and guidance with choosing the appropriate legal structure to run his business. The client also seeks legal assistance with reviewing a commercial lease for his proposed business site.
Small Business (Art Exhibitions) - Commercial Lease Review, PLC 17-1037192
The client is a low-income entrepreneur who is starting a new small business to showcase local underrepresented artists. The business is currently structured as a sole-proprietorship. Client has identified a potential site to run her business and seeks legal assistance with reviewing the proposed commercial lease.
Small Business (E-commerce) - PLC 17-1037123
Client is a low-income entrepreneur who is starting an e-commerce business. Client seeks legal advice and guidance with developing standard terms and conditions for users of the business website.
Patent Infringement, PLC 17-1037122
Client is in his early 60s. Client invented and patented technology around which he has developed a business. Client filed a patent infringement case in federal court and has survived a motion to dismiss. Client seeks assistance with litigating the case.
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VETERANS
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VA Benefits - Service-Connected Compensation, PLC 16-1036705
Client is a 60 year old veteran who underwent surgery at a VA medical facility. As a result of the surgery, Client had to have many more surgeries and was hospitalized for an extensive period of time. Client still has difficulties walking. Client seeks assistance with a 38 U.S.C. 1151 claim which allows recovery of VA service-connected compensation when a disability results from care at a VA medical facility.
Illegal Lockout, PLC 17-1036951
Client is a veteran who was renting an apartment with a roommate. Before the lease was set to expire, the landlord issued a three-day notice and locked out Client without going through the court process. Client has not been allowed access to the unit. Client believes the illegal lockout was the result of the landlord discovering that he had a disability. Client would like assistance obtaining his belongings as well as damages for the illegal, discriminatory lockout.
Fair Housing/Discrimination, PLC 16-1036999
A Landlord told Client, a disabled, US Army veteran tenant that he would not provide any special accommodation for Client's disability. Landlord told Client he should move to a new location that is willing and able to meet his special needs. Three weeks later, landlord moved to terminate Client's tenancy. Client is now in the process of defending unlawful detainer lawsuit. Client would like assistance pursuing a discrimination claim against Landlord, through the Department of Fair Employment and Housing and/or the court.
Discharge Upgrade, PLC 17E-1036968
Client is a 58 year old veteran with an "Other Than Honorable" discharge, seeking a discharge upgrade. Client was stationed in Korea when he developed a drug problem. Client was never offered assistance or any rehabilitation, which is against current military policy. Client has been sober for over 20 years and is active in AA and other drug and alcohol programs.
Email Equal Justice Works AmeriCorps Legal Fellow Tessa Riggio
Discharge Upgrade, PLC 16-1035337
Client served in the Navy in the late 1980s. He was discharged with an Other than Honorable due to drug abuse. Client found the wrong crowd when he was in the military and when he agreed to his discharge, he did not understand the consequences of declining rehabilitation. After his discharge, he attended school and entered rehabilitation. He has maintained steady employment for over twenty years. Client would like assistance applying to the Board for Correction of Naval Records for a discharge upgrade.
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WILLS & ESTATES
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Appointment of New Trustee, PLC 16-1035810
Client is the father of a young child who is permanently mentally and physically disabled as a result of medical negligence. As a result of her injuries, Client's daughter obtained a large medical malpractice settlement, which is now part of a special needs trust. The trustee is a professional fiduciary and the client is the "Trust Protector" with the power to appoint a new trustee with court approval. The trustee has continually refused to release funds for items which Client feels are necessary for his daughter's care. Client seeks assistance filing with the court to appoint a new trustee.
Irrevocable Trust, PLC 13-1026659
Client is a 64 year old widow who owns her home and some restaurant equipment. She would like to create an irrevocable trust of all of her property with her children as beneficiaries. Client is a monolingual Spanish speaker.
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Public Law Center
601 Civic Center Drive West,
Santa Ana, CA 92701
(714) 541-1010
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