Greetings
Now that we have officially “celebrated” one year of a changed world, I’d like to offer a quote that has helped me get through the last year:
“Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” – Arthur Ashe
This is what so many of us have done this past year. For all of you who volunteered with us, you came from a place of offering your skills, your empathy, your passion, and your dedication. And you did what you could, whether it was a two hour stint at a clinic, a short-term research project, showing up for an in-person domestic violence restraining order hearing, or arguing for a client’s release from immigration detention. You did it. And we are grateful.
We have a little more now than we did a year ago. And hopefully, in a few months, we’ll have even more than that. I hope we translate that into even more services for Orange County’s low-income residents in the coming months!
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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.
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DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SURVIVORS |
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Divorce, PLC 21-1053638
Client is a Portuguese speaker seeking a restraining order against her husband due to physical, verbal, emotional, financial, and immigration-related abuse. She is also seeking spousal support because AP withdrew his affidavit of support for her, and she is unable to work in the United States. There are minimal assets and debts, as this was a short term marriage. PLC is assisting the CL with filing her dissolution response and restraining order request, but CL is seeking representation for the restraining order, dissolution, or both.
Immigration/U-Visa, PLC 20-1052304
Client is a survivor of a severe incident of domestic violence by her ex-partner that took place out of state. She provided a statement to law enforcement and continues to participate as a victim witness in the on-going prosecution against the abuser. Client is seeking assistance with filing for a U-Visa as a victim of crime. She is a monolingual Spanish speaker.
Immigration/U-Visa, PLC 20E-1052857
Client was the victim of spousal rape who provided information about the crime to law enforcement. She is a hard-working single mother to four U.S. Citizen children, including one with special needs. She is a monolingual Spanish speaker.
Immigration/U-Visa, PLC 19-1048799
Client is a victim of domestic violence at the hands of her ex-partner. Client reported the incident to the police. She seeks assistance in filing a U-Visa application as a domestic violence victim. Client is the sole applicant.
Client is a monolingual Spanish speaker.
Immigration/U-Visa, PLC 20E-1052852
Client is a victim of domestic violence at the hands of her son. Client reported the incident to the police and obtained a restraining order against her son. She seeks assistance in filing a U-Visa application as a domestic violence survivor. Client is the sole applicant.
Client is a monolingual Spanish speaker.
Restraining Order, PLC 21-1053638
Client is a Portuguese speaker seeking a restraining order against her husband due to physical, verbal, emotional, financial, and immigration-related abuse. She is also seeking spousal support because AP withdrew his affidavit of support for her, and she is unable to work in the United States. There are minimal assets and debts, as this was a short term marriage. PLC is assisting the CL with filing her dissolution response and restraining order request, but CL is seeking representation for the restraining order, dissolution, or both.
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FINANCIAL/INCOME PROTECTION |
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Civil Judgment Collection, PLC 21-1053477
Client is a woman in her 60s. Client has a divorce judgement containing orders for spousal support. Opposing party has refused to pay, and has accumulated arrears in excess of $27,000. Opposing party is self-employed and client is interested in potentially seeking recovery from opposing party’s bank accounts and social security check if wage garnishment is unsuccessful.
Civil Litigation Defense, PLC 21E-1053440
Client is a person with physical disabilities. Client is being sued by his landlord for nonpayment of rent. While the issue of possession has been resolved, Client is still being pursued for a monetary judgment. Client believes he has claims against his former landlord for personal injuries, including improper towing charges, property damage, and emotional distress.
Debt Collection Defense, PLC 20E-1051373
Client is a monolingual Spanish speaker in her early 60s. Client was sued for an alleged car loan debt, which she incurred while she was battling untreated mental health issues. 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 April 2021*
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Immigration/U-Visa, PLC 20-1052304
Client is a survivor of a severe incident of domestic violence by her ex-partner that took place out of state. She provided a statement to law enforcement and continues to participate as a victim witness in the on-going prosecution against the abuser. Client is seeking assistance with filing for a U-Visa as a victim of crime. She is a monolingual Spanish speaker.
Immigration/U-Visa, PLC 20E-1052857
Client was the victim of spousal rape who provided information about the crime to law enforcement. She is a hard-working single mother to four U.S. Citizen children, including one with special needs. She is a monolingual Spanish speaker.
Immigration/U-Visa, PLC 19-1048799
Client is a victim of domestic violence at the hands of her ex-partner. Client reported the incident to the police. She seeks assistance in filing a U-Visa application as a domestic violence victim. Client is the sole applicant.
Client is a monolingual Spanish speaker.
Immigration/U-Visa, PLC 20E-1052852
Client is a victim of domestic violence at the hands of her son. Client reported the incident to the police and obtained a restraining order against her son. She seeks assistance in filing a U-Visa application as a domestic violence survivor. Client is the sole applicant.
Client is a monolingual Spanish speaker.
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Small Business (Online Content) – IP License Agreement, PLC 21-1053854
Client is a low-income owner of a new online retail business. Client seeks legal assistance with preparing a template license agreement to be used with potential content collaborators.
Small Business – Trademark, PLC 21-1053337
Client is a low-income business owner of a home renovation business. Client has started the trademark registration process for his company name and logo, and seeks legal assistance with completing the registration. Client also seeks legal advice and guidance with regard to potential infringement on his trademark by a third party.
Small Business - Trademark, PLC 21-1053730
Client is a low-income owner of a digital marketing small business. Client seeks legal advice and counsel regarding legal options to protect his business name and brand.
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Elder Financial Abuse, PLC 20E-1051210
Client is an English speaker in her 80s. During a time when Client was receiving medical care, an individual who had been helping with household tasks obtained access to Client’s finances and appears to have taken close to $40,000.00 from Client without her knowledge or consent. Client seeks assistance recovering these funds and protecting herself from future financial abuse by this individual.
Elder Financial Abuse Affirmative Litigation and Cancellation of Void Deed, PLC 19E-1048579
Client is a monolingual Spanish speaker in her 70s. A family member recorded a deed purporting to transfer title of Client's home into the family member's name. The family member has threatened that he will remove Client from the property, which will result in Client experiencing homelessness. Client seeks assistance cancelling the deed so that she can maintain her housing. The purported grant deed does not appear to comply with the Government Code.
Homeowner's Insurance/Contractor Dispute, PLC 20E-1052643
Clients are English speakers in their early 70s. Clients are having a dispute with their insurance regarding coverage for repairs that they had done to their home. They are seeking to recover over $30,000.00 for repairs they paid for out of pocket based on an understanding that their homeowner’s insurance company would cover. In addition, Clients believe some of the costs are the responsibility of a contractor for failing to properly repair initial damage. Clients seek assistance working with their insurance company and the contractor to make themselves whole and more on with their lives.
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.
Predatory Lending/PACE Home Improvements, PLC 19E-1047995
Client is in her 60’s and speaks Spanish. Client was solicited for so-called energy efficient home improvements by a door-to-door salesperson. Client considered the improvements, but never actually signed a contract. Without client’s understanding, the contractor financed home improvements through a tax assessment on client’s property. The contractor never started work on the project, and client was shocked to learn what happened when she received her next property tax statement. Client is seeking assistance recovering the money she paid to remove the tax assessment so she can pay back the countless friends and family who helped her raise that money.
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Debt Collection Defense, PLC 20E-1051819
Client is an English speaker in her late 50s and is disabled. Client was sued for an alleged credit card debt and has had difficulty defending the lawsuit. She seeks assistance defending the lawsuit including filing a motion for relief from requests for admissions that were deemed admitted so she can move on with her life.
*Trial is scheduled for June 2021*
Debt Collection Defense, PLC 20E-1051373
Client is a monolingual Spanish speaker in her early 60s. Client was sued for an alleged car loan debt, which she incurred while she was battling untreated mental health issues. 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 April 2021*
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Civil Judgment Collection, PLC 21-1053477
Client is a woman in her 60s. Client has a divorce judgement containing orders for spousal support. Opposing party has refused to pay, and has accumulated arrears in excess of $27,000. Opposing party is self-employed and client is interested in potentially seeking recovery from opposing party’s bank accounts and social security check if wage garnishment is unsuccessful.
Divorce, PLC 21-1053638
Client is a Portuguese speaker seeking a restraining order against her husband due to physical, verbal, emotional, financial, and immigration-related abuse. She is also seeking spousal support because AP withdrew his affidavit of support for her, and she is unable to work in the United States. There are minimal assets and debts, as this was a short term marriage. PLC is assisting the CL with filing her dissolution response and restraining order request, but CL is seeking representation for the restraining order, dissolution, or both.
Restraining Order, PLC 21-1053638
Client is a Portuguese speaker seeking a restraining order against her husband due to physical, verbal, emotional, financial, and immigration-related abuse. She is also seeking spousal support because AP withdrew his affidavit of support for her, and she is unable to work in the United States. There are minimal assets and debts, as this was a short term marriage. PLC is assisting the CL with filing her dissolution response and restraining order request, but CL is seeking representation for the restraining order, dissolution, or both.
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LITIGATION — FEDERAL COURT |
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LITIGATION — PRESERVATION OF HOUSING |
Elder Financial Abuse Affirmative Litigation and Cancellation of Void Deed, PLC 19E-1048579
Client is a monolingual Spanish speaker in her 70s. A family member recorded a deed purporting to transfer title of Client's home into the family member's name. The family member has threatened that he will remove Client from the property, which will result in Client experiencing homelessness. Client seeks assistance cancelling the deed so that she can maintain her housing. The purported grant deed does not appear to comply with the Government Code.
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.
Homeowner's Insurance/Contractor Dispute, PLC 20E-1052643
Clients are English speakers in their early 70s. Clients are having a dispute with their insurance regarding coverage for repairs that they had done to their home. They are seeking to recover over $30,000.00 for repairs they paid for out of pocket based on an understanding that their homeowner’s insurance company would cover. In addition, Clients believe some of the costs are the responsibility of a contractor for failing to properly repair initial damage. Clients seek assistance working with their insurance company and the contractor to make themselves whole and more on with their lives.
Housing Discrimination, PLC 20E-1052328 & 20E-1052335
Clients are a married couple who have a Section 8 voucher. They seek to reside in a senior community, but have been discouraged from renting there. In at least one case, they were specifically declined because of their Section 8 voucher, in violation of state law. Clients would like assistance pursuing their claims of discrimination against the housing providers and their agents.
Landlord/Tenant – Illegal Eviction, PLC 20E-1050325 & 20-1050916
Clients seek to file an affirmative complaint against their landlord for an illegal eviction and damages, including emotional distress damages, stemming from their landlord’s unlawful actions after their landlord promised clients that they could return to the unit after the landlord repaired it, following clients’ requests that the landlord provide them with a habitable place to live. Clients vacated the unit and when they returned, they found the unit re-rented and their belongings gone.
Landlord/Tenant Dispute – Discrimination, PLC 20E-1051936, 20E-1052043 & 20E-1052045
Clients are three roommates, all older adults, who seek to rescind their contracts/leases for the mobilehome that they rent. The clients entered into a predatory agreement and are being harassed. The landlord has failed to take any action to stop the harassment. Possibly in retaliation, the landlord has alleged a breach of the contract, which would result in the client being forced to leave the premises. Clients would like assistance resolving the dispute with their landlord, recovering any money paid and ensuring they are able to remain housed.
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.
Predatory Lending/PACE Home Improvements, PLC 20-1051904
Client is a monolingual Spanish speaker in her early 50s. Client obtained Property-Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing for work that was never completed on her home. All discussions related to the home "improvements" were in Spanish, and all documents related to the home "improvements" she signed were in English. As a result of the PACE assessment, Client's property taxes have increased by over $4,000 a year, an amount she is unable to pay. Client fears losing her home. Client would like assistance rescinding the contract and removing the tax assessment from her property.
Predatory Lending/PACE Home Improvements, PLC 20E-1051883
Client is in her late 40s and speaks some English, although she prefers and better understands Farsi. Client agreed to have improvements made to her home after a door-to-door salesperson solicited her. Client believed the project would be financed with a low-interest loan. Instead, the contractors obtained Property-Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing to pay for the project. The work was done poorly, using cheap materials, and Client does not believe any improvements created energy savings. As a result of the work, Client's property taxes have increased to over $17,000 a year, which she did not expect and cannot afford. Client would like assistance rescinding the contract and removing the tax assessment from her property.
Predatory Lending/PACE Home Improvements, PLC 19E-1047995
Client is in her 60’s and speaks Spanish. Client was solicited for so-called energy efficient home improvements by a door-to-door salesperson. Client considered the improvements, but never actually signed a contract. Without client’s understanding, the contractor financed home improvements through a tax assessment on client’s property. The contractor never started work on the project, and client was shocked to learn what happened when she received her next property tax statement. Client is seeking assistance recovering the money she paid to remove the tax assessment so she can pay back the countless friends and family who helped her raise that money.
Property Damage to Mobilehome, PLC 20E-1052263
Clients are seniors who, several years ago, purchased a mobilehome in a senior mobilehome park, where they had hoped to live out their retirement. After purchasing the mobilehome, the Park has had major issues that have caused significant damage to their mobilehome among other costs to the clients and a need to make claims on their insurance. These issues were not disclosed to Client prior to them purchasing the mobilehome. Clients hired an inspector who concluded that the Park's failure to maintain is the cause of the issues. The issues are now affecting the Clients’ health and they are unable to sell their mobilehome and relocate because of the concerns. Clients would like to bring an action against the Park to be compensated so that they can relocate to protect their health.
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REENTRY/CONVICTION RELIEF |
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Nonprofit (Community Support) - Review of Employment Policies, PLC 21-1053927
Client is and existing 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to alleviate hunger and homelessness faced by Orange County residents. Client seeks legal assistance with reviewing, and revising as needed, their currently employment policies to ensure compliance with current California and Federal law.
Nonprofit - Contract/Lease, PLC 21-1053673
Client is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide alternative therapies for special needs individuals. Client seeks legal assistance with reviewing a proposed new sublease for the location where programs are operated.
Small Business (E-Commerce) - Startup, PLC 21-1053469
Client is a low-income entrepreneur who is starting a new social enterprise e-commerce business. Client seeks legal advice and counsel with selecting the appropriate business entity and obtaining required licenses and permits.
Small Business (Food) - Formation, Nondisclosure Agreement, PLC 21-1053965
Client is a low-income entrepreneur who is starting a food-based business. Client seeks legal advice and counsel with selecting a legal entity for the business. Client also seeks legal assistance with preparing a nondisclosure agreement to protect the confidentiality of his recipes.
Small Business (Janitorial Services) - Formation, PLC 21-1053969
Client is a low-income entrepreneur who is starting a janitorial business. Client seeks legal advice and counsel with selecting a legal entity for the business. Client also seeks legal guidance with assessing what permits he will be required to obtain for operating his business.
Small Business (Online Content) – IP License Agreement, PLC 21-1053854
Client is a low-income owner of a new online retail business. Client seeks legal assistance with preparing a template license agreement to be used with potential content collaborators.
Small Business - Trademark, PLC 21-1053730
Client is a low-income owner of a digital marketing small business. Client seeks legal advice and counsel regarding legal options to protect his business name and brand.
Small Business – Trademark, PLC 21-1053337
Client is a low-income business owner of a home renovation business. Client has started the trademark registration process for his company name and logo, and seeks legal assistance with completing the registration. Client also seeks legal advice and guidance with regard to potential infringement on his trademark by a third party.
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