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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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With every twist and turn in the current environment, PLC has been making adjustments seemingly every week. Over the last few weeks, we have seen hearings resume in family court, probate court and civil court, which has caused everyone at PLC to pivot once again. A major focus now is preparing for hearings, both in terms of substance but also technology - ensuring our clients have what they need to access remote hearings has been a challenge.
What we are finding is that we need representation for our clients, particularly for those with court cases, more than ever. In February, just before the pandemic hit, PLC started a clinic in dependency court and we are now seeking attorneys to assist with dependency adoptions. We have a number of clients with family law cases who would benefit from limited or full-scope representation. And we have elder abuse and housing-related litigation cases for which we need pro bono counsel.
On top of all of this, we have a number of larger impact litigations for which we would like to put together a litigation team. If your office has the capacity to commit to a larger litigation project, please let me know and we can discuss the opportunities.
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Sincerely,
Leigh Ferrin
Directing Attorney,
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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;
- 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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Adoption, PLC 20E-1050683
Grandmother seeks to adopt her two grandchildren, ages 12 and 4, from foster care. Parental rights have been terminated. PLC can provide technical assistance to the pro bono attorney. Services, including representation, can easily be provided remotely in this matter.
Adoption, PLC 20-1050960
Foster mother seeks to adopt her 11-year-old foster child. Parental rights have been terminated. PLC can provide technical assistance to the pro bono attorney. Services, including representation, can easily be provided remotely in this matter.
Adoption, PLC 20-1050935
Foster parents seek to adopt their 1 1/2-year-old foster child, whose siblings they have already adopted. Parental rights have been terminated. PLC can provide technical assistance to the pro bono attorney. Services, including representation, can easily be provided remotely in this matter.
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APPEALS
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Social Security Disability Appeals in District Court
PLC seeks volunteers to provide representation in the filing and prosecution of their Social Security Disability Appeals to the Federal District Court. Volunteer Attorneys would electronically file the case initiating documents and assist with what will essentially be briefs on appeal. Timely filing in these cases is paramount, and because of the courthouse closure these litigants cannot file in person, which adds a barrier to them asserting their rights. PLC can provide technical assistance and sample briefs.
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BANKRUPTCY
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Adversary Proceeding - Discharge of Student Loans, PLC 20-1049401
Client is a bilingual Spanish/English speaker in her late-50s. She has approximately $35,000 in private student loan debt from attending a for-profit college that is now closed. Client has never found work in her field of study, and has the same job she had before attending college. Client also suffers from a chronic injury, and is unsure how much longer she can work. Client is seeking assistance discharging her private student loans in bankruptcy so she can improve her financial situation and move on with her life.
Bankruptcy, PLC 20-1050673
Client is a monolingual Spanish speaker in her late 50s with approximately $20,000 in unsecured debt. Client hopes that filing for bankruptcy will give her the opportunity to move on with her life and get a fresh start.
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CONSERVATORSHIP
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Limited Conservatorship, PLC 20-1050365
Client seeks to establish a limited conservatorship over her daughter, who is in her 30s. Client's daughter has multiple mental health disorders and a developmental disability (which was diagnosed at a later age). Client's daughter cannot provide for her own basic personal care and constantly relies on Client. Client has faced numerous obstacles in obtaining social services for her daughter and speaking on her daughter's behalf. More specifically, her daughter's medical providers request that Client provide them with proof of conservatorship. No temporary conservatorship is required at this time.
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CONSUMER
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Debt Collection Defense (Medical Debt), PLC-20E-1049999
Client is an English speaker in his fifties. Client was sued for an alleged medical debt which he disputes. This lawsuit is causing him significant stress because the current pandemic is making it difficult for him to defend the case on his own. Client seeks assistance defending the lawsuit so he can focus on his health and move on with his life.
Debt Collection Defense, PLC 20E-1049286
Client is an English speaker in her early 30s. Client was sued for an alleged credit card debt, and she disputes the amount of the debt. Client seeks assistance defending the lawsuit so that she can focus on caring for her family and move on with her life.
*
Trial scheduled for January 2021*
Debt Collection Defense, PLC 20-1049261
Client is in her 30s and is raising her three small children alone. She was recently able to set aside a default judgment that had been entered against her. Client disputes the debt, and is now seeking assistance defending the lawsuit so that she can focus on caring for her family.
*Trial is set for late April 2021*
Motion to Vacate Default Judgment (Medical Debt Collection Defense), PLC 19E-1048966
Client is a monolingual Spanish speaker in her 50s. Client was sued for an alleged medical debt but she was unaware of what her obligations were to respond to the lawsuit and a default judgment was entered in against her. Client disagrees with the amount of the debt and believes she is not responsible for a large portion of the alleged debt. Client seeks assistance setting aside the default judgment and defending herself in this matter.
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CUSTODY
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Motion to Change Venue, PLC 20-1049892
Client has a parentage case in Los Angeles, but she and the child live in Orange County. Public Law Center is assisting the client with her opposition to the other party's custody requests, but the client also requests assistance with a motion to change venue. Representation is preferred, but in
pro per assistance will be appreciated.
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DISABILITY
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Adversary Proceeding - Discharge of Student Loans, PLC 20-1049401
Client is a bilingual Spanish/English speaker in her late-50s. She has approximately $35,000 in private student loan debt from attending a for-profit college that is now closed. Client has never found work in her field of study, and has the same job she had before attending college. Client also suffers from a chronic injury, and is unsure how much longer she can work. Client is seeking assistance discharging her private student loans in bankruptcy so she can improve her financial situation and move on with her life.
Furthering Fair Housing Laws, PLC 20E-1049214
Client is a person with mental health disabilities. She would like to sue a housing provider for violating federal and state fair housing laws in the renting process. Client receives a federal subsidy to rent in the private market. Although client is now stably housed, the housing provider that refused to rent to her caused her mental anguish that exacerbated her mental health condition and resulted in her hospitalization. Client seeks to file suit against the housing provider to ensure compliance with federal and state fair housing laws.
Email Directing Attorney Ugochi Anaebere-Nicholson
Elder Financial Abuse, PLC 18E-1042818
Client is a senior who has disabilities. He was defrauded by two people who he trusted by following their faulty "investment" advice and lost a significant amount of money. Charges were filed against one of the parties, and our client was awarded restitution as part of the plea agreement. Client would like assistance with two things: collecting on the restitution order obtained by the District Attorney, including pursuing potentially transferred assets, and pursuing a civil action against the second party who was not criminally charged. All actions took place in Los Angeles County, so any litigation would need to occur in Los Angeles.
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DISSOLUTION
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Default Divorce, PLC 20-1050441
Client is disabled with two children, whose only current source of income is the disability payments she is receiving. The client's attorney of record entered the default in the case but did not enter the default judgment, and the client is unable to pay for additional services. Client seeks a volunteer attorney to request a default hearing and represent her when the courts reopen. Services, including representation, can easily be provided remotely in this matter.
Dissolution, PLC 20-1049605
Client is a full time student with a small side business. She seeks enforcement of the warranties clause of her divorce judgment due to the discovery of previously undisclosed assets. This matter is in the Lake Tahoe courthouse of El Dorado County, but the County accepts telephonic appearances. Client needs assistance with discovery to confirm the undiscovered assets before filing regarding the breach. Attorneys fees may be recoverable, given the breach and the adverse party's income.
The client would also welcome
in
pro per
assistance if not representation.
Email Supervising Attorney Joanna Wong
Motion to Change Venue, PLC 20-1049892
Client has a parentage case in Los Angeles, but she and the child live in Orange County. Public Law Center is assisting the client with her opposition to the other party's custody requests, but the client also requests assistance with a motion to change venue. Representation is preferred, but in
pro per assistance will be appreciated.
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EMPLOYMENT
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Small Business (Construction) - Employment Advice & Counsel, PLC 20-1051097
Client is a low-income entrepreneur who operates a small, family-owned construction company. Client is seeking advice and counsel regarding an unemployment insurance claim from a former employee who had voluntarily quit his job.
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HOMEOWNERSHIP
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Predatory Lending / PACE Home Improvements, PLC 19E-1045127
Client is a monolingual Spanish-speaking widow in her 70s. Client obtained Property-Assessed Clean Energy Financing (PACE) financing through a door-to-door salesperson to make improvements to her home, some of which she does not believe were energy efficient or were done poorly. All discussions were in Spanish, and all documents she signed were in English. As a result of the work, Client's property taxes have increased by over $10,000 a year. Client would like assistance rescinding the contract and removing the tax assessment from her property.
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IMMIGRATION 
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Asylum and Removal Defense, PLC 20E-1049826
Client is from Ghana and is seeking asylum, withholding and protection under the Convention Against Torture. Client is detained in Adelanto and fears for his life if he is returned to his home country. Client is seeking assistance with his defensive asylum case.
Petition to Remove Conditional Permanent Residence, PLC 19-1045566
Client is in his late 30s early-40s and is currently employed. Client's prior partner filed a family based petition on the client's behalf and he was granted Conditional Permanent Residence for a
2 year period. During their marriage, client suffered physical and emotional abuse at the hands of his husband. He is now seeking assistance in filing a petition to remove the condition based on being "battered or abused" by his partner. Successfully removing this condition will prevent the client from losing his permanent resident status.
*Client primarily speaks Vietnamese*
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LANDLORD / TENANT
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Dispute with Subsidized Housing Provider, PLC 19-10462625
Client is a homeless individual who is a survivor of domestic violence. She received Section 8 assistance, and was terminated from the program after she removed her abusive husband from the household, because they incorrectly determined that the client and her child were "overhoused." As a result, she is now homeless. The subsidized housing provider violated numerous federal regulations, fair housing laws related to sex based discrimination, and the Violence Against Women Act. Client would like to file a federal discrimination suit and writ against the subsidized housing provider to have them re-house her, change their policies, and to obtain damages.
Enforce Tenants' Rights to Healthy and Safe Housing, PLC 20E-1050754
Clients are six to seven families residing in a small apartment complex. The owner of the complex unlawfully increased the rent and refused to make any repairs to the building and ultimately abandoned the property and a temporary conservator was appointed by the court to manage the property, but has not been repairing the Clients' units. Local code enforcement has issued multiple citations for the conditions of the property and the CLients' young children have experienced adverse health effects from these issues. With the assistance of PLC, Clients are currently withholding rent. Clients would like assistance resolving these issues and obtaining repairs and a refund of rent.
Furthering Fair Housing Laws, PLC 20E-1049214
Client is a person with mental health disabilities. Client receives a federal subsidy to rent in the private market. Although client is now stably housed, the housing provider that refused to rent to her caused her mental anguish that exacerbated her mental health condition and resulted in her hospitalization. Client seeks to file suit against the housing provider to ensure compliance with federal and state fair housing laws.
Landlord/Tenant Dispute - Discrimination, PLC 20E-1050545
Client is a father and recently lost his job due to COVID-19. He was unable to pay his rent. He informed the landlord of this, and the landlord threatened to have him deported. Client desires assistance with filing a DFEH complaint and/or suing the landlord for violating his fair housing rights.
Landlord/Tenant Dispute - Harassment, PLC
Clients are a family of four who live in a triplex. They have a temporary restraining order against a neighbor, but the neighbor has continuously violated the restraining order. Neither the landlord nor the city find the behavior of the neighbor serious enough to warrant law enforcement involvement or termination of tenancy by the landlord. The applicants are terrified and would like the harassment to end. Clients seek assistance enforcing the restraining order and asserting their rights to live free of harassment.
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LITIGATION
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Adversary Proceeding - Discharge of Student Loans, PLC 20-1049401
Client is a bilingual Spanish/English speaker in her late-50s. She has approximately $35,000 in private student loan debt from attending a for-profit college that is now closed. Client has never found work in her field of study, and has the same job she had before attending college. Client also suffers from a chronic injury, and is unsure how much longer she can work. Client is seeking assistance discharging her private student loans in bankruptcy so she can improve her financial situation and move on with her life.
Debt Collection Defense (Medical Debt), PLC-20E-1049999
Client is an English speaker in his fifties. Client was sued for an alleged medical debt which he disputes. This lawsuit is causing him significant stress because the current pandemic is making it difficult for him to defend the case on his own. Client seeks assistance defending the lawsuit so he can focus on his health and move on with his life.
Debt Collection Defense, PLC 20E-1049286
Client is an English speaker in her early 30s. Client was sued for an alleged credit card debt, and she disputes the amount of the debt. Client seeks assistance defending the lawsuit so that she can focus on caring for her family and move on with her life.
*
Trial scheduled for January 2021*
Debt Collection Defense, PLC 20-1049261
Client is in her 30s and is raising her three small children alone. She was recently able to set aside a default judgment that had been entered against her. Client disputes the debt, and is now seeking assistance defending the lawsuit so that she can focus on caring for her family.
*Trial is set for late April 2021*
Dispute with Subsidized Housing Provider, PLC 19-10462625
Client is a homeless individual who is a survivor of domestic violence. She received Section 8 assistance, and was terminated from the program after she removed her abusive husband from the household, because they incorrectly determined that the client and her child were "overhoused." As a result, she is now homeless. The subsidized housing provider violated numerous federal regulations, fair housing laws related to sex based discrimination, and the Violence Against Women Act. Client would like to file a federal discrimination suit and writ against the subsidized housing provider to have them re-house her, change their policies, and to obtain damages.
Dissolution, PLC 20-1049605
Client is a full time student with a small side business. She seeks enforcement of the warranties clause of her divorce judgment due to the discovery of previously undisclosed assets. This matter is in the Lake Tahoe courthouse of El Dorado County, but the County accepts telephonic appearances. Client needs assistance with discovery to confirm the undiscovered assets before filing regarding the breach. Attorneys fees may be recoverable, given the breach and the adverse party's income.
The client would also welcome
in pro per
assistance if not representation.
Dissolution, PLC 19E-1048860
Client is a survivor of domestic violence perpetrated by her spouse in a marriage of over 35 years. PLC assisted her with her divorce petition, but she seeks additional assistance with respect to discovery and allocation of assets/debts acquired during the marriage. There are no minor children.
*Client is a Spanish speaker with moderate English proficiency*
Dissolution, PLC 19-1047091
Client is a single parent of special needs child who seeks representation in divorce proceeding including issues regarding breach of fiduciary duty, violation of ATRO's, and adverse party's multiple retirement accounts. At Issue Memorandum will be filed but trial has not yet been set.
Email Supervising Attorney Joanna Wong
Elder Financial Abuse, PLC 18E-1042818
Client is a senior who has disabilities. He was defrauded by two people who he trusted by following their faulty "investment" advice and lost a significant amount of money. Charges were filed against one of the parties, and our client was awarded restitution as part of the plea agreement. Client would like assistance with two things: collecting on the restitution order obtained by the District Attorney, including pursuing potentially transferred assets, and pursuing a civil action against the second party who was not criminally charged. All actions took place in Los Angeles County, so any litigation would need to occur in Los Angeles.
Enforce Tenants' Rights to Healthy and Safe Housing, PLC 20E-1050754
Clients are six to seven families residing in a small apartment complex. The owner of the complex unlawfully increased the rent and refused to make any repairs to the building and ultimately abandoned the property and a temporary conservator was appointed by the court to manage the property, but has not been repairing the Clients' units. Local code enforcement has issued multiple citations for the conditions of the property and the CLients' young children have experienced adverse health effects from these issues. With the assistance of PLC, Clients are currently withholding rent. Clients would like assistance resolving these issues and obtaining repairs and a refund of rent.
Motion to Vacate Default Judgment (Medical Debt Collection Defense), PLC 19E-1048966
Client is a monolingual Spanish speaker in her 50s. Client was sued for an alleged medical debt but she was unaware of what her obligations were to respond to the lawsuit and a default judgment was entered in against her. Client disagrees with the amount of the debt and believes she is not responsible for a large portion of the alleged debt. Client seeks assistance setting aside the default judgment and defending herself in this matter.
Predatory Lending / PACE Home Improvements, PLC 19E-1045127
Client is a monolingual Spanish-speaking widow in her 70s. Client obtained Property-Assessed Clean Energy Financing (PACE) financing through a door-to-door salesperson to make improvements to her home, some of which she does not believe were energy efficient or were done poorly. All discussions were in Spanish, and all documents she signed were in English. As a result of the work, Client's property taxes have increased by over $10,000 a year. Client would like assistance rescinding the contract and removing the tax assessment from her property.
Preservation of Senior Housing, PLC 19-1046444
Client is a group of senior residents, most on fixed-incomes, living in a senior mobilehome park. The park owner changed the way it bills the senior residents without complying with the Mobilehome Residency Law. PLC obtained pro bono counsel to assist the residents in correcting the improper charges and getting reimbursed for the additional money they have had to pay. A complaint has been filed and trial set for January 2022. Unfortunately, the pro bono counsel is no longer able to proceed with the case and the clients are seeking new pro bono counsel to take over.
Vacatur of Criminal Charges, PLC 20E-1050968
Client came to the United States to escape harassment and abuse in her home country. Upon arrival in California, Client was taken in by a man who purported to be her boyfriend. He instead prostituted her and she ended up with criminal charges directly related to her trafficking. Client was eventually able to escape and has now been married for ten years. Client would like to seek vacatur of the criminal charges against her. The petition will need to be filed in Los Angeles County.
Vacatur of Criminal Charges, PLC 20E-1050681
Client was essentially kidnapped when she was homeless as a teenager. The man forced the client into prostitution and she was arrested by an undercover officer. Client was eventually able to escape, to reconnect with family and friends and is pursuing a college degree. Client would like assistance seeking vacatur of the criminal charges against her. The petition will need to be filed in Los Angeles County.
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NON-PROFIT
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Nonprofit (Community Support) - Start-Up, PLC 20-1051047
Client is a start-up nonprofit organization whose mission is to offer prepared meals for families and individuals in need of assistance. Client seeks legal guidance with forming a CA Public Benefit Corporation and obtaining federal and state tax exempt status.
Non-Profit (Job Training) - Drafting of Employment Contract, PLC 20-1050894
Client is an existing 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide job readiness training to individuals overcoming employment barriers. Client seeks legal guidance with transitioning instructors to employee status. Client also legal assistance with preparing a standard employment contract.
Non-Profit (Veterans Support) - Drafting of Sponsorship Agreement, PLC 20-1050367
Client is an existing 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide veterans with re-entry support. Client seeks legal assistance with preparing a standard corporate sponsorship agreement.
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Small Business - Corporate Structuring, PLC 20-1051043
Client is a low-income entrepreneur who is currently operating an e-commerce business. Client is seeking to start a variety of new businesses and would like to operate the new businesses under her existing LLC. Client seeks advice and counsel on how to best structure her businesses.
Small Business (Construction) - Employment Advice & Counsel, PLC 20-1051097
Client is a low-income entrepreneur who operates a small, family-owned construction company. Client is seeking advice and counsel regarding an unemployment insurance claim from a former employee who had voluntarily quit his job.
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SUPPORT
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No cases at this time.
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VETERANS
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Discharge Upgrade, PLC 17E-1038521
Client is a Marine Corps veteran in his 50s. He is seeking assistance upgrading his General under Honorable Conditions discharge to an Honorable discharge. The client believes he was separated unfairly and was given false information about the consequences of a General discharge. He seeks a discharge upgrade to obtain VA benefits and for his own peace of mind about the character of his service.
Discharge Upgrade, PLC
Client is a decorated combat veteran who served in the United States Army from 2008-2011. He was discharged with a General (Under Honorable Conditions) characterization of service for misconduct. Client has impeccable post-service conduct. His strong interest in pursing a discharge upgrade is so that he can re-enlist in the military and serve his country during these trying times. Client would like to be upgraded to Honorable and change his re-enlistment code.
Dismissal/Expungment, PLC 20E-1049409
Client is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps and was recently discharged with an honorable discharge. Client has one criminal conviction on her record which is preventing her from obtaining employment after her discharge. Client would like assistance with terminating her probation early and submitting a request for dismissal of the misdemeanor.
*Venue is San Diego Superior Court, but Client lives in Orange County*
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Public Law Center
601 Civic Center Drive West
Santa Ana, CA 92701
(714) 541-1010
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