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Greetings,
As we get closer to the end of the year and into the holiday season, I want to take a minute to say how grateful I am for all of the people who volunteer and support PLC. I am very lucky to get to work with my co-workers, clients, and all of you on a regular basis. I am inspired, energized and motivated to keep fighting as a result of the passion I see from all three groups.
As many of you know, I am out on maternity leave, and this will be my last case list for a few months. My husband and I welcomed our third child this week, and we are still figuring out how to play a zone defense, now that we are outnumbered by children (both of us always preferred playing man-to-man when we played basketball!).
While I am out, Carlos Mojica and Sarah Efthymiou will be holding down the fort, and you will all be in good hands. Please feel free to reach out to either of them for any issues regarding case placement. And I look forward to reconnecting with all of you in 2019!
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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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ADOPTIONS
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Master Case, PLC 18-1042114 & 18-1042116
Clients are a married couple, Spanish speaking couple. Clients were granted Guardianship over their grandson in January 2017. Grandson's parents are not part of his life and he has lived with clients since birth. Grandson considers his grandparents to be his parents. Grandson's father has not seen the child since he was a toddler and his mother does not interact with him at all. Clients seek to adopt their grandson.
Email Staff Attorney Ayami Nieves
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BANKRUPTCY
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Ch. 7 Bankruptcy, PLC 18E-1043297
Client, a monolingual Spanish speaker, is in her mid-50s with approximately $11,000 in unsecured debt. A creditor has already obtained a judgment against her and she fears having her wages garnished. Client is a the legal guardian to her grandchildren and needs her entire paycheck to support her two grandchildren. Additionally, Client was previously the victim of fraud and identity theft. Client is seeking assistance in filing a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy.
Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, PLC 18E-1042205
Client is a monolingual Spanish speaker with approximately $30,000 of unsecured debt. A creditor has already obtained a judgment against client and she fears having her wages garnished. Client depends on her entire paycheck to support her family because she is a single mom and sole provider for her four minor daughters. Client seeks the assistance of a pro bono attorney to discharge her debts in a 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.
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CONSERVATORSHIP
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Conservatorship, PLC 18-1044266/18-1044268
Client's 91-year-old father has late stage Alzheimer's disease. Client is seeking to establish a general conservatorship of the person of his father only (not the estate). Client's father had not executed any form of estate planning when he had capacity. Client and client's mother both care for client's father, but without having legal authority to act, it has been getting more difficult to facilitate care. Client would like his mother to be named co-conservator.
Amendment to Living Trust, and Advance Health Care Directive, PLC 18E-1043453
Client is a 68-year old man living with a medical condition. Client previously executed a Living Trust and Advance Health Care Directive with PLC's assistance. However, client has since married and would like to update both documents. The primary changes client requests are: (1) to change the trustee/executor of his will to his spouse; (2) to name an alternate trustee/executor; and (3) to designate his spouse as the agent authorized to make health care decisions on his behalf in the event he is unable to do so.
Limited Conservatorship, PLC 18-1043196
Clients are husband and wife, parents to their 18-year-old developmentally disabled daughter. They seek to establish a limited conservatorship over her in order to continue making decisions regarding her medical care and education.
*Clients are monolingual Spanish speakers*
Email Staff Attorney Petra Moreno
Conservatorship, PLC 18-1043229
Proposed conservatee is a human trafficking client and needs a conservatorship in order to move forward with the T-visa application. She needs constant medical attention, supervision and assistance with daily activities. Client, and proposed conservator, is the sister of proposed conservatee. All family members' whereabouts are known.
*Client is monolingual Spanish speaker*
Email Equal Justice Works Crime Victims Justice Corps Fellow Precious Odum
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CONSUMER
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Car Repair Dispute, PLC 17E-1039044
Client took her car in for repairs at a local auto repair shop. After leaving the repair shop, Client discovered that significant damage had been done to her car, resulting in significant repair costs. Because she could not afford to repair her car, which was fully paid off, Client purchased a new vehicle that she had to finance with a monthly payment of almost $400. Client would like assistance pursuing the auto repair shop for the damages their shoddy work caused.
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CUSTODY
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Custody, PLC 18E-1039672
Client is an English speaker and mother of two young girls. Client and her daughter are both disabled and hard of hearing. Client was the victim of domestic violence and requests assistance with a Request for Order modifying the custody and visitation order against the aggressor.
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DISABILITY RIGHTS
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Nonprofit (Patient Support) - HIPPA/Privacy Matters, PLC 18-1043913
Client is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to transform the lives of disabled individuals. In furtherance of its mission, client intends to operate a program that will provide patients with smart technology devices. Client seeks legal advice and counsel on how to structure the program to minimize potential patient privacy violations.
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DISSOLUTION
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Dissolution - Post-Judgment Issues, PLC 18-1043131
Client is an unemployed woman receiving Short Term Disability with a minor child, an older teen. The disability payments will end soon, but Client is still unable to work. She is a survivor of domestic violence committed by her ex-husband, who is the father of the minor child. Client's ex-husband has started to withhold visits from her, contrary to the parties' divorce Judgment. The adverse party filed a Request for Order regarding custody, visitation, termination of child support, termination of spousal support, and an accounting for a retirement fund listed in the parties' Judgment. Both parties had retirement funds listed in the Judgment, but no QDRO was ever prepared. Client would like an accounting of the retirement funds listed in the Adverse's name.
Post-Judgment Trial on Reserved Issues, PLC 18E-1042492
Client is in her early 50s, has a minor child and is a survivor of domestic violence. A dissolution Judgment was entered in her case almost 11 years ago. Division of the opposing party's retirement account was reserved, and the opposing party's business was never addressed in the Judgment. Client seeks assistance with a Request for Order to divide the opposing party's retirement account and business.
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GUARDIANSHIP
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No cases at this time.
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HOMEOWNERSHIP
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Home Improvement Mechanic's Lien, PLC 18-104TBD
Client is over the age of 60 and lives with her adult son who has a disability. She was recently sued by a contractor on a mechanic's lien. Client believes the mechanic's lien was improper and also disputes that the work was ever completed. Client would like assistance defending the lawsuit, protecting her home and possibly pursuing an affirmative case against the contractor.
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IMMIGRATION
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Removal Defense and Asylum, PLC 18-1042807
Client and her family fled their country due to receiving threats of violence and death threats by the local criminal enterprise. They are devout evangelical Christians and they believe they were targeted for this reason. They have their second Immigration Court hearing on
November 9, 2018 at 8:30 a.m.
at the Los Angeles Immigration Court, at which time they would need to file initial paperwork to request asylum. They will have a follow-up hearing at an unknown date in 2019-2020 for the Immigration Judge to hear their testimony.
*Clients are monolingual Spanish speakers*
VAWA and U-Visa, PLC 18E-1040292
Client is in her early 30s and is a single mother of four U.S. Citizen children, ranging in age from 17 to 2 years old. She is a survivor of physical and emotional abuse by her Legal Permanent Resident husband. In addition, her 17-year-old daughter was the victim of sexual abuse by client's father-in-law several years ago. Both client and her daughter are going to therapy.
*Client is a monolingual Spanish speaker*
Email Directing Attorney Monica Glicken
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INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
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Nonprofit (Arts) - Photo Release, PLC 18-1043897
Client is an artist who paints portraits of individuals who are homeless. The artwork is then displayed at charity events that support the homeless community. Client seeks legal assistance with reviewing, and updating if necessary, a consent form.
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LANDLORD / TENANT
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Landlord/TenantDispute - Retaliation, PLC 18-1043451
After a change in ownership at Client's apartment complex, the new owner of the apartment complex began renting the units on a short term basis, which had not been the case before. Client made continuous complaints to management about the noise issues from the short-term renters. After making a complaint to the City, Client received a notice terminating his tenancy and a notice increasing his rent. Client eventually vacated his unit, but would now like to sue the landlord for retaliation, breach of contract, improper withholding of his security deposit, and any other appropriate claims. Client would like to file a limited civil case to assert his rights and recover any damages to which he may be entitled.
Wrongful Eviction, PLC 18-1043071
Client is in his 50s and was subletting a room in the Adverse Party's apartment. Within two months of beginning to live there, Client was unlawfully locked out of the apartment by Adverse Party, which has caused Client significant expense and has damaged his credit, making it more difficult for Client to find stable housing again. Client sued the Adverse Party for wrongful eviction. Adverse Party filed an Answer and has now filed a motion seeking leave to file a cross complaint for alleged unpaid rent. Client is currently working on amending his complaint and would like to find a pro bono attorney to represent him in the case.
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LITIGATION
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Landlord/TenantDispute - Retaliation, PLC 18-1043451
After a change in ownership at Client's apartment complex, the new owner of the apartment complex began renting the units on a short term basis, which had not been the case before. Client made continuous complaints to management about the noise issues from the short-term renters. After making a complaint to the City, Client received a notice terminating his tenancy and a notice increasing his rent. Client eventually vacated his unit, but would now like to sue the landlord for retaliation, breach of contract, improper withholding of his security deposit, and any other appropriate claims. Client would like to file a limited civil case to assert his rights and recover any damages to which he may be entitled.
Wrongful Eviction, PLC 18-1043071
Client is in his 50s and was subletting a room in the Adverse Party's apartment. Within two months of beginning to live there, Client was unlawfully locked out of the apartment by Adverse Party, which has caused Client significant expense and has damaged his credit, making it more difficult for Client to find stable housing again. Client sued the Adverse Party for wrongful eviction. Adverse Party filed an Answer and has now filed a motion seeking leave to file a cross complaint for alleged unpaid rent. Client is currently working on amending his complaint and would like to find a pro bono attorney to represent him in the case.
Email Staff Attorney Richard Walker
Home Improvement Mechanic's Lien, PLC 18-104TBD
Client is over the age of 60 and lives with her adult son who has a disability. She was recently sued by a contractor on a mechanic's lien. Client believes the mechanic's lien was improper and also disputes that the work was ever completed. Client would like assistance defending the lawsuit, protecting her home and possibly pursuing an affirmative case against the contractor.
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NONPROFIT
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Nonprofit (Social Enterprise) - Contract Review, PLC 18-1044247
Client is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to advance self-sufficiency for low-income community members. Client is starting a new social enterprise program for low-income food entrepreneurs, which will include rental space within client's facility. Client seeks legal assistance with reviewing a standard rental agreement that it intends to use with furture participants.
Nonprofit (Personal Safety) - Bylaws Review, PLC 18-1042988
Client is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to empower individuals to achieve freedom of fear in their lives. Client seeks legal assistance with reviewing its bylaws for conformance with the organization's current operations.
Nonprofit (Patient Support) - HIPPA/Privacy Matters, PLC 18-1043913
Client is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to transform the lives of disabled individuals. In furtherance of its mission, client intends to operate a program that will provide patients with smart technology devices. Client seeks legal advice and counsel on how to structure the program to minimize potential patient privacy violations.
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SMALL BUSINESS
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Small Business - Corporate Tax/Compliance Advice, PLC 18-104153
Client is a low-income entrepreneur who is starting an technology consulting business. Client formed an LLC, which is classified as a Minority & Women Owned Business, in August 2018. As she is getting her business up and running, client seeks legal advice and counsel on a number of tax and compliance related matters, including selecting the appropriate tax classification (partnership vs corporation) and tax implications involved in providing services outside of California.
Small Business - Incorporation, PLC 18-1044026
Client is a low income entrepreneur who is starting a consulting business helping new parents (specially fathers) access California's Paid Family Leave benefits. Client seeks advice and counsel on choosing the appropriate business entity.
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WILLS & ESTATES
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Amendment to Living Trust and Advance Health Care Directive, PLC 18E-1043453
Client is a 68-year old man living with a medical condition. Client previously executed a Living Trust and Advance Health Care Directive with PLC's assistance. However, client has since married and would like to update both documents. The primary changes client requests are: (1) to change the trustee/executor of his will to his spouse; (2) to name an alternate trustee/executor; and (3) to designate his spouse as the agent authorized to make health care decisions on his behalf in the event he is unable to do so.
Revocable Living Trust, PLC 18-1043207
Clients are a married couple who own a townhome. They would like to set up a revocable living trust to ensure that their property is distributed to their adult children when the children reach a certain, more responsible age. Clients also seek to create accompanying powers of attorney and Advance Healthcare Directives.
*Clients primarily speak Spanish*
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Public Law Center
601 Civic Center Drive West
Santa Ana, CA 92701
(714) 541-1010
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