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When you #StartWithaSmile
on #PrimeDay,
Amazon donates to
Public Law Center.
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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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Greetings,
As we are all riding out this heat wave in Southern California, energy efficiency and water savings is at the forefront of many minds, including PLC's clients' minds. Unfortunately, this also means that they are perfect targets of energy efficient home improvement scams, like solar panels, new roofs, new windows, and other improvements sometimes only tangentially related to energy efficiency.
PLC has seen a recent increase in cases involving low-income elderly individuals, often with a disability, being convinced to sign up for costly, and sometimes risky, home improvements under the guise of energy efficiency. You'll see these cases listed under
Consumer,
Contracts and
Homeownership. We are looking for volunteers to help these homeowners pursue the contractors and/or the agencies sponsoring the programs to recover their losses.
PLC is also working with legislators to help reform the program to make it more consumer-friendly. Please reach out to me if you have the ability to help out one of our homeowners now struggling to make their monthly payments.
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Sincerely,
Leigh Ferrin,
Directing Attorney,
Pro Bono Programs
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Amazon's third-annual Prime Day is today, July 11, and will feature more than 100,000 deals exclusively for Prime members, making it one of the biggest shopping days of the year.
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SAVE THE DATES
Naturalization Fair
Saturday, July 22
FREE Guardianship Training
Monday, July 24, from 5:30-9:00 pm at the OCBA
Click here to register.
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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, 17-1037964
Client is an English speaking woman in her mid 30s with just over $20,000 of unsecured debt. Client left her abusive ex-boyfriend and is now a single mother to her baby daughter. Client cannot afford to repay her debts while continuing to support herself and her daughter. She seeks the assistance of a volunteer attorney to help her file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy.
Bankruptcy, PLC 17-1037627
Client is an monolingual Spanish speaking woman in her 40s with a little under $15,000 of unsecured debt. Client provides for her two young daughters and can no longer afford to support her family while continuing to pay her debts. She seeks assistance filing a Chapter 7 bankruptcy to discharge her debts.
Bankruptcy, PLC 17-1037039
Clients are an English speaking married couple. They have been forced to make ends meet on husband's income alone because wife has a disability which makes it difficult to work. Clients can no longer afford to keep up with their debts while supporting their young daughter. They also have a baby on the way and with the added expenses, will be even less capable of repaying their debts. Clients seek pro-bono assistance to file Chapter 7 bankruptcy.
Email Directing Attorney Leigh Ferrin
Bankruptcy, PLC 17-1037469
Client is an English speaking woman in her 50s with about $85,000 of debt. Client fell behind on her credit card payments while she waited half a year for her EDD Disability claim to be processed. With the accumulated interest, client is no longer able to repay her debts. She seeks assistance with filing a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy. Client may need to file in Riverside County.
Bankruptcy, PLC 17-1037231
Client is a woman in her early-30s with over $20,000 in debt. She is recently divorced and is a single parent to two children. She seeks assistance filing a Chapter 7 bankruptcy to discharge her debts and obtain a fresh start so she can begin her new life.
Email Directing Attorney Leigh Ferrin
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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No cases at this time.
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CONSERVATORSHIP
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Conservatorship - PLC Case No. 17-1038004
Clients seek to establish a limited conservatorship over their 18-year-old son who has Down Syndrome. Clients' son requires constant supervision and is limited in his ability to communicate with and be understood by others outside of his family. Clients would like to continue making decisions on behalf of their son regarding his medical care and education.
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CONSUMER
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Contract Dispute - Solar Panels, 17-1037969
Client is a monolingual Spanish speaking woman in her 70s. Client was misled into entering into a lease agreement for the installation of solar panels on her home. The solar panel representative told client she would no longer have to pay Edison for any electricity, regardless of the amount she used, and that her payments under the contract would be less than her typical monthly electric bill. Months after installation, Client realized the solar company had annualized her electricity bill and she would now be paying significantly more with the panels than before installation. Client seeks the assistance of a pro bono attorney to help her rescind the contract.
Debt Collection Defense, PLC 17-1037416
Client is in her 70s and has been sued by a creditor. Based on the documents the plaintiff has provided in this case, Client does not believe she owes the collector any money. Client has filed a response to the complaint and has responded to discovery in pro per. Client seeks assistance further defending herself in this matter.
Email Senior Staff Attorney Elizabeth Gonzalez
Debt Collection Defense, PLC 17-1037330
Client is a single mother in her 50s and has been sued by a third-party debt buyer. Based on the documents the plaintiff has provided in this case, Client believes plaintiff has violated state debt collection laws and Client denies that she owes the third-party debt buyer any money. Client has filed a response to the complaint and has responded to discovery in pro per. Client seeks assistance further defending herself in this matter.
*Trial set for February 2018*
Debt Collection Defense, PLC 17-1037656
Clients are a monolingual Spanish speaking couple in their 60s and have been sued by a third-party debt buyer to collect on a deficiency allegedly owed after a car they co-signed for was repossessed. Clients were not provided copies of the finance contract in Spanish, although the negotiations were conducted in Spanish. In addition, Clients were not provided notice of the repossession or the deficiency in Spanish. Clients also do not believe they have made any payments on this account in over four years. Clients have filed a response to the complaint in pro per. Clients seek assistance further defending themselves in this matter.
Debt Collection Defense, PLC 17-1037321
Client is a low-income monolingual Spanish speaking male in his 60s who is being sued by a third-party debt buyer for a vehicle deficiency debt. He seeks assistance with defending his case. PLC has assisted client with filing a General Denial in response to the lawsuit.
*Trial is scheduled for January 2018*
Contract Dispute - Solar Panels, PLC 17-1037487
Client is a monolingual Spanish speaker in his late 60s. Client was misled by a solar power company salesperson into entering into a purchase agreement for the installation of solar panels on his home. Client was given inaccurate information regarding the benefits the solar panels would bring him and the amount of money he would have to pay the finance company. Client was instructed to sign the contracts on an electronic tablet and was not given the opportunity to read the contracts prior to signing. Client would like assistance working with the solar power company to resolve the dispute.
Contract Dispute - Energy Efficient Home Improvements, PLC 17-1037440
Client is in her 60s and receives primarily Social Security income. Client sought to make energy efficient improvements to her home and discovered the PACE program, so that the work could be financed through her property taxes. However, once she began working with the contractor and the coordinator, things did not go as planned. The work at Client's home was never completed, but she has already begun paying an increased amount in her property taxes. Client would like assistance resolving the dispute with the contractor and the company administering the PACE program.
Email Directing Attorney Leigh Ferrin
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CONTRACTS
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Contract Dispute - Solar Panels, 17-1037969
Client is a monolingual Spanish speaking woman in her 70s. Client was misled into entering into a lease agreement for the installation of solar panels on her home. The solar panel representative told client she would no longer have to pay Edison for any electricity, regardless of the amount she used, and that her payments under the contract would be less than her typical monthly electric bill. Months after installation, Client realized the solar company had annualized her electricity bill and she would now be paying significantly more with the panels than before installation. Client seeks the assistance of a pro bono attorney to help her rescind the contract.
Contract Dispute - Solar Panels, PLC 17-1037487
Client is a monolingual Spanish speaker in his late 60s. Client was misled by a solar power company salesperson into entering into a purchase agreement for the installation of solar panels on his home. Client was given inaccurate information regarding the benefits the solar panels would bring him and the amount of money he would have to pay the finance company. Client was instructed to sign the contracts on an electronic tablet and was not given the opportunity to read the contracts prior to signing. Client would like assistance working with the solar power company to resolve the dispute.
Contract Dispute - Energy Efficient Home Improvements, PLC 17-1037440
Client is in her 60s and receives primarily Social Security income. Client sought to make energy efficient improvements to her home and discovered the PACE program, so that the work could be financed through her property taxes. However, once she began working with the contractor and the coordinator, things did not go as planned. The work at Client's home was never completed, but she has already begun paying an increased amount in her property taxes. Client would like assistance resolving the dispute with the contractor and the company administering the PACE program.
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CUSTODY
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No cases at this time.
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DISABILITY RIGHTS
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Special Education Advocacy, PLC 17-1037455
Client is a low-income single mother of four children, one of whom has significant disabilities. He has had a 504 plan in place since elementary school and is now in high school. Client has recently experienced difficulty working with the school, and has struggled to get the school to follow the 504 plan. Client would like assistance ensuring that her son receives the free and appropriate public education to which he is entitled.
Housing Discrimination / Civil Rights, PLC 16-1036721
Client is in his early 50s, has a disability and is a member of a minority group. Client's landlord has physically pushed him and yelled racially derogatory remarks at him. Client feels threatened and fears for his safety. Client recently reported these incidents to the Department of Fair Employment and Housing and would like assistance with the complaint process and/or filing a civil suit against the landlord.
Email Staff Attorney Jonathan Gibson
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DISSOLUTION
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Dissolution (Motion to Set Aside Default), PLC 17-1038052
Client is a strong and resilient single mother of two. Client is a survivor of domestic violence and has an active restraining order against Adverse Party. Client petitioned for Dissolution in early 2017 and received a Default Judgment a couple months later. Adverse Party was served properly, but failed to respond timely. Adverse Party filed for a Motion to Set Aside Default and the hearing is scheduled for September 2017. There are two additional issues, involving an allegedly invalid "agreement" and a business that neither party wants. Client seeks assistance resolving the dissolution so that she can provide a safe and stable life for her children.
Email Staff Attorney Ayami Nieves
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GUARDIANSHIP
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No cases at this time.
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HOMEOWNERSHIP
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Contract Dispute - Solar Panels, 17-1037969
Client is a monolingual Spanish speaking woman in her 70s. Client was misled into entering into a lease agreement for the installation of solar panels on her home. The solar panel representative told client she would no longer have to pay Edison for any electricity, regardless of the amount she used, and that her payments under the contract would be less than her typical monthly electric bill. Months after installation, Client realized the solar company had annualized her electricity bill and she would now be paying significantly more with the panels than before installation. Client seeks the assistance of a pro bono attorney to help her rescind the contract.
Contract Dispute - Solar Panels, PLC 17-1037487
Client is a monolingual Spanish speaker in his late 60s. Client was misled by a solar power company salesperson into entering into a purchase agreement for the installation of solar panels on his home. Client was given inaccurate information regarding the benefits the solar panels would bring him and the amount of money he would have to pay the finance company. Client was instructed to sign the contracts on an electronic tablet and was not given the opportunity to read the contracts prior to signing. Client would like assistance working with the solar power company to resolve the dispute.
Contract Dispute - Energy Efficient Home Improvements, PLC 17-1037440
Client is in her 60s and receives primarily Social Security income. Client sought to make energy efficient improvements to her home and discovered the PACE program, so that the work could be financed through her property taxes. However, once she began working with the contractor and the coordinator, things did not go as planned. The work at Client's home was never completed, but she has already begun paying an increased amount in her property taxes. Client would like assistance resolving the dispute with the contractor and the company administering the PACE program.
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 Adjustment of Status, PLC17-1037346 and 17-1037352
Clients, mother and son, are seeking assistance with their adjustment of status. The mother is in her early 40s and a monolingual Spanish speaker. Her son is in his early 20s and is a bilingual English and Spanish Speaker. They were granted U-Visa status in November 2013. The clients do not have a criminal record and have not left the country since receiving their U-Visa status. Their U-Visa status is set to expire in November 2017.
Email Staff Attorney Karina Gutierrez
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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.
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LITIGATION
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Debt Collection Defense, PLC 17-1037416
Client is in her 70s and has been sued by a creditor. Based on the documents the plaintiff has provided in this case, Client does not believe she owes the collector any money. Client has filed a response to the complaint and has responded to discovery in pro per. Client seeks assistance further defending herself in this matter.
Email Senior Staff Attorney Elizabeth Gonzalez
Debt Collection Defense, PLC 17-1037330
Client is a single mother in her 50s and has been sued by a third-party debt buyer. Based on the documents the plaintiff has provided in this case, Client believes plaintiff has violated state debt collection laws and Client denies that she owes the third-party debt buyer any money. Client has filed a response to the complaint and has responded to discovery in pro per. Client seeks assistance further defending herself in this matter.
*Trial set for February 2018*
Debt Collection Defense, PLC 17-1037656
Clients are a monolingual Spanish speaking couple in their 60s and have been sued by a third-party debt buyer to collect on a deficiency allegedly owed after a car they co-signed for was repossessed. Clients were not provided copies of the finance contract in Spanish, although the negotiations were conducted in Spanish. In addition, Clients were not provided notice of the repossession or the deficiency in Spanish. Clients also do not believe they have made any payments on this account in over four years. Clients have filed a response to the complaint in pro per. Clients seek assistance further defending themselves in this matter.
Debt Collection Defense, PLC 17-1037321
Client is a low-income monolingual Spanish speaking male in his 60s who is being sued by a third-party debt buyer for a vehicle deficiency debt. He seeks assistance with defending his case. PLC has assisted client with filing a General Denial in response to the lawsuit.
*Trial is scheduled for January 2018*
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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NAME CHANGE
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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 (Cancer Support) - Creation of Endowment, PLC 17-1037856
Client is an existing 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to assist individuals going through breast cancer treatment. Client received a substantial donation and wishes to establish a quasi-endowment to hold the funds. Client seeks an attorney to advise its board of directors with creating the documents necessary to establish the endowment.
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SMALL BUSINESS
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Small Business (Hygiene Services) - Franchise Start-Up, PLC 17-1037952
Client is a low-income entrepreneur who is acquiring a hygiene services franchise. Client seeks legal assistance with reviewing the franchise agreement, as well as selecting the best business form to run the franchise. Client also seeks legal advice and guidance relating to independent contractor and employee classifications.
Small Business (Healthy Drinks) - LLC Formation, PLC 17-1037960
Client is a low-income entrepreneur who is starting a health drink online retail business. Client seeks legal assistance with forming a two-member LLC for the business. Client also seeks advice and guidance with obtaining the proper permits to run a home-based business.
Email Senior Lead Staff Attorney Sarah Efthymiou
Small Business (Apparel) - Trademarks, PLC 17-1037497
Client is a low income designer of a children's apparel line. Client seeks legal assistance with obtaining trademark protection for her brand. Client also seeks legal advice and guidance regarding the need to create an IP licensing agreement.
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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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