I hope you had a lovely Thanksgiving and your holiday season is off to a great start!
As the year draws to a close, I’d like to express my deep gratitude for your support and dedication to pro bono service throughout 2024. Thank you for making this a year of compassion and advocacy. With your help, PLC was able to provide life-changing legal assistance to so many members of our low-income community.
In case you missed it, Tuesday was Giving Tuesday. Giving Tuesday is an opportunity during the craziness of the Holiday season to give back to those in need. If you haven’t been able to take on a pro bono case yet this year – this is your chance! Give back this Holiday season by taking on one of the pro bono cases listed below. Our team is here to support you at every step, from case placement to providing resources and guidance. If you see a case that interests you, or if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out—I’d love to help you get started.
This season of giving is a time to reflect on the impact we can make together—and to take action to bring hope and justice to those who need it most. If you are not able to volunteer at this time, you can also contribute to PLC’s Annual Fund drive! PLC’s Annual Fund drive empowers PLC to expand our reach to new clients in need of assistance in 2025. Whether they are facing deportation, eviction, or fraud, PLC is there to help our neighbors in need. Your gift will help our team be there when our clients need it most. Give today.
I wish you and your loved ones a joyous holiday season and a wonderful new year!
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Sincerely,
Angela Mestre
Pro Bono Coordinator
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Client Unjustly Pressured Out of Home: Disability Discrimination and Breach of Contract –
PLC 24-0093859
Client, an individual with disabilities, signed a lease in May 2024, excited to settle into her new home. But upon paying a security deposit and moving into the unit in August 2024, Client was met with major accessibility barriers: no wheelchair ramps at her unit’s entry or around the building, making it nearly impossible for her to navigate safely. After multiple pleas to management, ramps were installed. However, the ramps were not done correctly which resulted in damage to Client’s wheelchair. Rather than address the issues, management gave Client an ultimatum: if she was not pleased, she could break her lease. Feeling there were no other options, Client moved out in September 2024. Client now faces a lease break fee and has lost her security deposit. Client is seeking a pro bono attorney to help her recover her security deposit and address the discrimination based on her protected class.
Email Directing Attorney Richard Walker
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FINANCIAL/INCOME PROTECTION | |
Help a Homeowner Resolve a Dispute with an Unlicensed Contractor – PLC 24-0091280
Client is seeking a pro bono attorney to help resolve a frustrating dispute with a contractor. Client paid approximately $23,000 for materials and work to construct a koi fishpond, build a planter wall with a concrete cap, and install pavers in his backyard. However, a few months into the project, Contractor abruptly ceased all communication with Client and abandoned the job, leaving the project incomplete. Client filed a complaint with the Contractors State License Board, only to discover that Contractor was unlicensed, leaving Client without recourse through the Board. This case offers a chance to assist a homeowner in seeking accountability and recouping losses from an unlicensed contractor.
Email Staff Attorney Monica Bedia
Client Seeks Justice and Clarity: Suspected Forgery and Transfer of Home into a Trust –
PLC 24-0094392
Client lives with her mother in a home in which Client once owned as a joint tenant. Client believes her sister forged Client’s signature on deed documents, effectively transferring the home out of Client’s name. She believes her sister then placed the property into their mother’s trust, without authorization from either Client or their mother. Client has no information regarding the trust's beneficiaries. Client seeks a pro bono attorney to assist in obtaining more information about the trust, its beneficiaries, and to explore her legal options, including a possible quiet title action to reclaim her rightful ownership.
Email Staff Attorney Morgan Padgett
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Helping a Survivor: Advocate for a VAWA Petition – PLC 24-0088861
Client, a courageous single father, is seeking a pro bono attorney in a VAWA-based Adjustment of Status Petition. Client endured severe domestic violence—physical, verbal, and psychological—at the hands of his U.S. citizen spouse. Now in the midst of divorce proceedings, he is focused on creating a stable future for himself and his 18-year-old son. Client needs legal support to take this critical step toward security and independence. This case offers the opportunity to help a survivor of domestic violence navigate the immigration system and build a safer life for his family. Client is a monolingual Chinese speaker and interpretation services are available to support communication, if needed.
Email Staff Attorney Andy Marin
Seeking Safety and Stability: Help a Mother Secure a U-Visa – PLC 24-0084927
Client, a 51-year-old mother, is seeking pro bono assistance with a U-Visa petition after enduring unimaginable trauma. Her brave decision to report her ex-husband’s sexual abuse of her daughter led to his conviction and imprisonment. While justice was served, the emotional toll remains. Client continues to manage anxiety with medication and therapy as she rebuilds her life. Client is now seeking a pro bono attorney to help her take the next step toward safety and stability. This is a powerful opportunity to help a survivor and her family secure a brighter future. Client is a monolingual Spanish speaker and interpretation services are available to support communication, if needed.
Email Staff Attorney Andy Marin
Client is Seeking Safety and Stability: U-Visa – PLC 24-0084946
Client, a 36-year-old single mother and DACA recipient, is seeking protection for herself and her young U.S. citizen child after enduring years of verbal and emotional abuse from her ex-partner and father of her minor child. Client has shown incredible strength in breaking free from the cycle of domestic violence and is now pursuing a U-Visa to secure safety and stability for her family. By taking on this case, you’ll be helping a brave mother protect her child and build a safer future. Client is a monolingual Spanish speaker and interpretation services are available to support communication, if needed.
Email Staff Attorney Allyssa Scheyer
Stand Up for Justice: U-Visa – PLC 23-0080707
Client is seeking a pro bono attorney to assist on a U-Visa. Client is a hardworking father and security guard who was the victim of a brutal assault with a deadly weapon while on the job. This dedicated father of three U.S. citizen children, cooperated fully with the police investigation and is now eligible for a U-Visa. However, he continues to suffer from serious health complications resulting from the assault. Client is a monolingual Spanish speaker and seeks to include his wife, a Mexican national, as a derivative on his application.
Email Staff Attorney Allyssa Scheyer
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Fighting for Her Home: Senior Tenant Faces Unlawful Eviction – PLC 24-0093060
Client, a senior citizen, is battling to stay in her home of nearly 50 years after receiving a 60-day eviction notice that appears to violate the Tenant Protection Act of 2019, the Santa Ana Rent Stabilization Ordinance, and recent state law amendments. Landlord claims the unit requires a "substantial remodel," but the notice fails to adequately explain why the work necessitates a vacancy for a minimum of 30 consecutive days. Client urgently needs a pro bono attorney to challenge the notice, possibly obtain temporary relocation assistance from Landlord during any construction, and advocate for her right to either stay in the unit or reoccupy at a comparable rent. Your assistance in this case will not only protect this vulnerable client, but also ensure landlords comply with critical tenant protections.
Email Directing Attorney Richard Walker
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Fighting for Her Home: Senior Tenant Faces Unlawful Eviction – PLC 24-0093060
Client, a senior citizen, is battling to stay in her home of nearly 50 years after receiving a 60-day eviction notice that appears to violate the Tenant Protection Act of 2019, the Santa Ana Rent Stabilization Ordinance, and recent state law amendments. Landlord claims the unit requires a "substantial remodel," but the notice fails to adequately explain why the work necessitates a vacancy for a minimum of 30 consecutive days. Client urgently needs a pro bono attorney to challenge the notice, possibly obtain temporary relocation assistance from Landlord during any construction, and advocate for her right to either stay in the unit or reoccupy at a comparable rent. Your assistance in this case will not only protect this vulnerable client, but also ensure landlords comply with critical tenant protections.
Email Directing Attorney Richard Walker
A Mobilehome Dream Turned Nightmare: Help a Client Fight for Her Home Title Issues –
PLC 24-0088369
Client, a hardworking monolingual Spanish-speaker, invested her entire life savings to purchase a mobilehome at an auction by Mobilehome Park in 2021. But her dream quickly unraveled. Recently, Client discovered that Mobilehome Park failed to obtain title to the mobile home before auctioning it and failed to transfer title to her after the sale. To make matters worse, there is an undisclosed lien from a former owner, along with years of unpaid taxes. She now faces title, lien, and tax issues and is seeking a pro bono attorney to help resolve these issues. This case presents a unique opportunity to help Client fight for the home she worked so hard to secure and bring some much-needed peace of mind.
Email Directing Attorney Richard Walker
A Homebound Legacy: Help Clear a 20-Year-Old Lien – PLC 24-0088736
Client is determined to secure his place on the title of his family’s mobilehome. Yet, his efforts have been stalled by a decades-old lien placed on the home nearly 20 years ago. The lienholder passed away in 2008, and despite Client’s best efforts, he has been unable to locate any heirs to resolve the matter. He’s now seeking a pro bono attorney to assist in removing the lien and finally adding Client’s name to the title. This case offers the chance to make a difference by helping Client ensure a home that’s rightfully his.
Email Directing Attorney Richard Walker
Client Unjustly Pressured Out of Home: Disability Discrimination and Breach of Contract –
PLC 24-0093859
Client, an individual with disabilities, signed a lease in May 2024, excited to settle into her new home. But upon paying a security deposit and moving into the unit in August 2024, Client was met with major accessibility barriers: no wheelchair ramps at her unit’s entry or around the building, making it nearly impossible for her to navigate safely. After multiple pleas to management, ramps were installed. However, the ramps were not done correctly which resulted in damage to Client’s wheelchair. Rather than address the issues, management gave Client an ultimatum: if she was not pleased, she could break her lease. Feeling there were no other options, Client moved out in September 2024. Client now faces a lease break fee and has lost her security deposit. Client is seeking a pro bono attorney to help her recover her security deposit and address the discrimination based on her protected class.
Email Directing Attorney Richard Walker
Clearing Title for a Fresh Start: Lien on Mobilehome – PLC 24-0095956
Client purchased a mobilehome in 2018, only to discover that the title was never transferred from the previous owner into Client’s name. In fact, the title still lists the original owners—who are now unreachable—and carries a lien recorded over 30 years ago. This long-standing paperwork issue has left Client without clear ownership, limiting his rights and peace of mind. Client is now seeking a pro bono attorney to remove the lien and finally secure the title in his name.This case offers a chance to help Client achieve true ownership of his home.
Email Directing Attorney Richard Walker
Unlawful Detainer: Full Representation Needed for Tenant – PLC 24-0088905
Landlord is evicting entire building(s) of tenants in violation of Tenant Protection Act of 2019 and recent amendments. Citing the need for “substantial remodel,” Landlord issued 60-Day notices to vacate to multiple families. These notices, which expired mid-June, appear to violate the Tenant Protection Act as updated on April 1, 2024 by failing to show a substantial remodel will occur requiring tenants to vacate for thirty days. Once the 60 days expired, Landlord filed an unlawful detainer action against our Clients. Clients have demurred twice to the complaint, with the Court granting Landlord leave to amend each time. Some discovery has been completed and no trial date has been set. Clients are preparing to respond to the most recently amended complaint. Client is in need of full scope representation to continue challenging the unlawful detainer (currently other tenants are represented in their respective cases by other firms).
Email Directing Attorney Richard Walker
Stand Up for a Survivor: Eviction Defense Needed – PLC 24-0092464
Pro bono attorney needed to defend a mother and her adult daughter who are facing eviction, possibly linked to Client’s status as a victim of domestic violence. With a trial scheduled for mid-October pretrial motion pending and a hearing date in late September, Client urgently needs representation in this unlawful detainer action to prevent the loss of their home. No trial date has been set yet. This is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact by protecting the rights of a survivor and her family.
Email Supervising Attorney Ryan Ueda
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Help Client Seek Justice and Clarity: Suspected Forgery and Transfer of Home into a Trust –
PLC 24-0094392
Client lives with her mother in a home in which Client once was an owner of the home as a joint tenant. Client believes her sister forged Client’s signature on deed documents, effectively transferring the home out of Client’s name. She believes her sister then placed the property into their mother’s trust, without authorization from either Client or their mother. Now, Client has no information regarding the trust's beneficiaries. Client seeks a pro bono attorney to assist in obtaining more information about the trust, its beneficiaries, and explore her legal options, including a possible quiet title action to reclaim her rightful ownership.
Email Staff Attorney Morgan Padgett
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Help Clear Client’s Name: Tax Identity Theft – PLC 24-0087745
Client, a 62-year-old monolingual Spanish speaker, is a victim of tax identity theft. From 2019 to 2023, someone used her social security number for employment, and the IRS has yet to audit these tax years. Client is seeking a pro bono attorney to help restore her piece of mind by clearing her name and preventing future identity theft.
Email Senior Staff Attorney Evan Phoenix
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Bring Joy to the Water and Help a Nonprofit Protect Its Mission: Waiver & Release –
PLC 22-0072190
Client, an inspiring nonprofit, uses the power of sailing to uplift individuals with physical and developmental disabilities, PTSD, and other trauma. By offering a unique on-the-water experience, they bring hope, joy, and a renewed sense of possibility to everyone who steps aboard. To continue their important work, the organization needs a pro bono attorney’s assistance in drafting a waiver and release form for their volunteers and participants. This is a meaningful opportunity to support a nonprofit making waves in the lives of so many in our community.
Email Supervising Attorney Brigid Joyce
Support a Nonprofit with Drafting and Reviewing of Pledge Agreements & Donor Acknowledgments – PLC 24-0098026
Client, an established nonprofit, is dedicated to promoting the safety and well-being of visitors at a South County beach through education and the development of community partnerships. The organization is now embarking on an exciting project to commission a statue by a local artist, celebrating their mission and community impact. As they prepare to launch their fundraising efforts, they are seeking a pro bono attorney’s assistance in drafting and reviewing a Pledge Agreement and Donor Acknowledgment. This is a unique opportunity to support a nonprofit’s creative vision and help ensure the success of a project that will inspire and enhance the community.
Email Supervising Attorney Brigid Joyce
Help a Veteran Start a Health-Related Nonprofit – PLC 24-0096899
Client, a passionate Veteran, has a mission: to educate communities—including local restaurants and their patrons—about the life-changing benefits of eating whole, unrefined foods. With deep conviction, Cient believes that the food choices today, and for the past 70 years, have led to preventable health issues and increased morbidity and Client is ready to make a difference. He is now seeking a pro bono attorney to help him incorporate in California and obtain tax-exempt status with the IRS. This is a unique chance to support a Veteran’s vision for healthier communities while helping future generations learn more about food quality and health.
Email Supervising Attorney Brigid Joyce
Advocate for Environmental Justice: Legal Guidance Needed for Startup Nonprofit –
PLC 24-0094801
Client, a newly formed nonprofit is seeking pro bono legal counsel to challenge a commercial project currently in the approval process. The project raises serious environmental and health concerns in the surrounding communities. Client is looking for advice on how to legally challenge and/or voice their opposition to the project, while minimizing potential liability for the organization and its Board members. Your guidance will help Client navigate the complexities of advocacy while ensuring legal protection for their organization.
Email Supervising Attorney Brigid Joyce
Help a Nonprofit Supporting Local Families with Free Food Assistance: Compliance Review –
PLC 24-0089511
Client is an established nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide free food to low-income families. Client needs legal assistance from a pro bono attorney to review its current practices and ensure compliance with all government agencies and applicable laws, including employment law.
Email Supervising Attorney Brigid Joyce
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Help a Veteran Start a Health-Related Nonprofit – PLC 24-0096899
Client, a passionate Veteran, has a mission: to educate communities—including local restaurants and their patrons—about the life-changing benefits of eating whole, unrefined foods. With deep conviction, Client believes that the food choices today, and for the past 70 years, have led to preventable health issues and increased morbidity and Client is ready to make a difference. He is now seeking a pro bono attorney to help him incorporate in California and obtain tax-exempt status with the IRS. This is a unique chance to support a Veteran’s vision for healthier communities while helping future generations learn more about food quality and health.
Email Supervising Attorney Brigid Joyce
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No cases available for placement as of today, but please email volunteer@publiclawcenter.org if you are interested in this case type, and we can reach out if a case comes in before the next case list. | |
No cases available for placement as of today, but please email volunteer@publiclawcenter.org if you are interested in this case type, and we can reach out if a case comes in before the next case list. | |
No cases available for placement as of today, but please email volunteer@publiclawcenter.org if you are interested in this case type, and we can reach out if a case comes in before the next case list. | |
No cases available for placement as of today, but please email volunteer@publiclawcenter.org if you are interested in this case type, and we can reach out if a case comes in before the next case list. | |
No cases available for placement as of today, but please email volunteer@publiclawcenter.org if you are interested in this case type, and we can reach out if a case comes in before the next case list. | |
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SURVIVORS | |
No cases available for placement as of today, but please email volunteer@publiclawcenter.org if you are interested in this case type, and we can reach out if a case comes in before the next case list. | |
No cases available for placement as of today, but please email volunteer@publiclawcenter.org if you are interested in this case type, and we can reach out if a case comes in before the next case list. | |
No cases available for placement as of today, but please email volunteer@publiclawcenter.org if you are interested in this case type, and we can reach out if a case comes in before the next case list. | |
No cases available for placement as of today, but please email volunteer@publiclawcenter.org if you are interested in this case type, and we can reach out if a case comes in before the next case list. | |
No cases available for placement as of today, but please email volunteer@publiclawcenter.org if you are interested in this case type, and we can reach out if a case comes in before the next case list. | |
No cases available for placement as of today, but please email volunteer@publiclawcenter.org if you are interested in this case type, and we can reach out if a case comes in before the next case list. | |
No cases available for placement as of today, but please email volunteer@publiclawcenter.org if you are interested in this case type, and we can reach out if a case comes in before the next case list. | |
ReENTRY/CONVICTION RELIEF | No cases available for placement as of today, but please email volunteer@publiclawcenter.org if you are interested in this case type, and we can reach out if a case comes in before the next case list. | | | | |