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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,
One thing many of PLC's clients have in common is that they are survivors. Most often we see clients who have experienced domestic violence, but one thing all of our survivor clients have in common is the relief they feel once they realize we can assist them with the legal problems that they are facing. On the current case list we have two clients who are domestic violence survivors; one is seeking help with a prenuptial agreement in her divorce case and another is seeking assistance with immigration relief. We also have two cases for veteran clients, another group of survivors, both of whom are facing issues that threaten their home.
Next week is National Crime Victims Rights Week. We encourage you to volunteer at our domestic violence restraining order clinic, to get involved in our immigration work for individuals who are survivors of crime, or to find a case for a low-income person who is truly in survival mode to support their family. We look forward to working with you!
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Sincerely,
Leigh Ferrin
Directing Attorney,
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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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No cases at this time.
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BENEFITS
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Social Security Disability Insurance Appeal, PLC 18E-1044793
Client is 53 years old and filed for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) in 2010 when he could no longer work as a commercial plumber. He has a history of degenerative disc disease, PTSD, depression, carpal tunnel syndrome, cubital tunnel syndrome, and impingement of shoulder nerves. Client has also been fighting stage 3 prostate cancer, and is currently undergoing chemotherapy and radiation. Client was denied SSDI in August 2016 after an administrative appeal hearing. Client is being supported by his children, but no longer wants to be a burden on them. Client is seeking to reopen his SSDI case.
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CONSERVATORSHIP
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Limited Conservatorship, PLC 19E-1045421
Client's son will turn 18-years-old in November 2019. He has developmental disabilities and requires daily supervision and assistance with completing basic tasks. He is verbal but his speech is limited. Client seeks a volunteer attorney to help obtain a limited conservatorship over his person. Client is a monolingual Spanish speaker.
Limited Conservatorship, PLC 19-1045786
Client seeks a limited conservatorship over the person of her 18-year-old son who has an intellectual disability. She especially seeks to assist him with making medical decisions and decisions regarding his education. Client's oldest son seeks to be co-conservator as he helps care for his younger brother.
Limited Conservatorship, PLC 19E-1045442
Clients are seeking a volunteer attorney to help them obtain conservatorship over their 19-year-old son who has Down Syndrome (Trisomy 21). Clients' son's medical providers are requesting proof of conservatorship so that he can continue receiving medical care at a certain facility. Clients seek to start the process as soon as possible. Clients are monolingual Spanish speakers.
Limited Conservatorship, PLC 18-1044999
Client seeks to establish a limited conservatorship over her 21-year-old son who has Cornelia de Lange syndrome (a developmental disorder). He is non-verbal and relies heavily on his mother for care. Client requires a limited conservatorship over her son to continue making medical decisions for him. All 2nd degree relatives are known and located.
*Client is a monolingual Spanish speaker*
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CONSUMER
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Contractor Dispute, PLC 19E-1045154
After the city that client resides in forced her to demolish and rebuild her home to bring it up to code, client was forced to hire various contractors to carry out the remodel of her home. Soon after work began, client discovered the inconsistencies in the quality of work each contractor was providing. In more than one instance, client was forced to pay in advance for work that was either incomplete or never completed. She calculates that there are more than $100,000 dollars in damages. Client is seeking assistance with affirmative cases against the contractors who worked on her home. She would like to assert her rights and recover damages for poor workmanship.
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CONTRACTS
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Nonprofit (Housing) - Contracts, PLC 19-1045726
Client is an existing 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide supportive and transitional housing for formerly homeless individuals. Client is planning to work with another nonprofit partner to expand its facility and programs. Client seeks legal assistance with drafting the partnership agreement.
Small Business (Apparel) - Contracts, PLC 19-1045396
Client is a low-income entrepreneur who is starting an e-commerce retail business. Client seeks legal assistance drafting a variety of business contracts, including sale of goods, consignment and wholesale agreements.
*Client is a Spanish speaker*
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DISABILITY RIGHTS
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Social Security Disability Insurance Appeal, PLC 18E-1044793
Client is 53 years old and filed for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) in 2010 when he could no longer work as a commercial plumber. He has a history of degenerative disc disease, PTSD, depression, carpal tunnel syndrome, cubital tunnel syndrome, and impingement of shoulder nerves. Client has also been fighting stage 3 prostate cancer, and is currently undergoing chemotherapy and radiation. Client was denied SSDI in August 2016 after an administrative appeal hearing. Client is being supported by his children, but no longer wants to be a burden on them. Client is seeking to reopen his SSDI case.
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DISSOLUTION
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Dissolution with Prenuptial Agreement, PLC 19E-1045496
Client is a 40 year-old survivor of domestic violence. Client is in the process of petitioning for her divorce
in pro per. Client will need assistance with discovery: the parties signed a prenuptial agreement, but the
opposing party will not provide her with a copy. Client will potentially need assistance with either
enforcing or contesting it, depending on its terms. Client speaks English and is very responsive.
Grandparent Visitation, PLC 18E-1044527
Client is monolingual Spanish speaker in her late 50's. She is the maternal grandmother who needs assistance securing visitation orders for her 8 year old grandson. Her child's father acquired sole custody of the child when the child's mother (the client's daughter) passed away in 2017. Client has always been involved in the child's life but no longer spends quality time with her grandson because of father's interference.
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GUARDIANSHIP
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Grandparent Visitation, PLC 18E-1043261
Client is an English speaker over the age of 60. She is a paternal grandmother who has been barred from seeing her 8 grandchildren by their caretaker, who is the children's maternal grandmother. The grandchildren are currently under the care of the maternal grandmother because the client's son passed away in 2016, and the biological mother lost custody of the children. Client has always had constant communication with her grandchildren, but the maternal grandmother has made it difficult to the point of denying the children the opportunity to spend time with their paternal grandmother at all. Client wants to be involved in her grandchildren lives, given her advanced age and the loss of her son.
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HOMEOWNERSHIP
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Affirmative Litigation - Insurance Dispute, PLC 17-1037378
Client is a veteran who owns a condominium in Orange County. An incident occurred in the community that damaged Client's personal property. The insurance for the homeowners association is refusing to cover the damage, leaving Client in a difficult situation because he cannot afford to repair the property. Client has attempted to resolve this matter without litigation but has been unsuccessful. Client would like assistance pursuing an affirmative case against the insurance company to compensate him for his damages.
Email Interim Directing Attorney Elizabeth Gonzalez
Homeowners Association Dispute/Foreclosure Defense, PLC 18E-1043158
Client is an elderly U.S. Army veteran facing a possible foreclosure by his Homeowners Association (HOA).
Facing code enforcement issues because of its own failure to maintain the property, the HOA imposed special assessments that were unaffordable for client and many of the residents.
Client is seeking representation in his dispute with the HOA, possible including internal dispute resolution and/or litigation.
Nonprofit (HOA) - Governance, PLC 19-1045527
Client is a nonprofit Home Owners Association that represents primarily low-income residents. Client seeks legal advice and guidance with resolving a governance dispute among the board members.
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IMMIGRATION
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Immigration/U-Visa, PLC 18-1044608
Client is a survivor of domestic violence at the hands of her ex-partner, who was convicted of criminal charges arising from the abuse. Client reported the abuse to law enforcement and obtained a protective order against her abusive ex-partner. She is a hard-working single mother who seeks help with applying for a U-Visa.
*Client is a monolingual Spanish speaker.*
Email Directing Attorney Monica Glicken
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LITIGATION
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Affirmative Litigation - Insurance Dispute, PLC 17-1037378
Client is a veteran who owns a condominium in Orange County. An incident occurred in the community that damaged Client's personal property. The insurance for the homeowners association is refusing to cover the damage, leaving Client in a difficult situation because he cannot afford to repair the property. Client has attempted to resolve this matter without litigation but has been unsuccessful. Client would like assistance pursuing an affirmative case against the insurance company to compensate him for his damages.
Dissolution with Prenuptial Agreement, PLC 19E-1045496
Client is a 40 year-old survivor of domestic violence. Client is in the process of petitioning for her divorce in pro per. Client will need assistance with discovery: the parties signed a prenuptial agreement, but the
opposing party will not provide her with a copy. Client will potentially need assistance with either
enforcing or contesting it, depending on its terms. Client speaks English and is very responsive.
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NONPROFIT
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Nonprofit (Health) - IP/Trademarks, PLC 19-1045903
Client is a nonprofit project currently under 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsorship. Client's mission is to provide
support and resources for cancer survivors. Client seeks legal assistance with filing for trademark
protection of its name and tagline.
Nonprofit (Arts) - Commercial Lease, PLC 19-1045905
Client is an existing 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to use art to transform the lives of
adults with intellectual disabilities. Client seeks legal assistance with understanding the terms of their
current commercial lease.
Nonprofit (Veterans) - Start-Up, PLC 19-1045949
Client is a new nonprofit organization whose mission is to help improve the lives of veterans through deep
sea fishing. Client has already incorporated as a California Public Benefit Corporation and is seeking
legal assistance with post-incorporation formalities and obtaining federal and state tax exempt status.
Nonprofit (Housing) - Contracts, PLC 19-1045726
Client is an existing 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide supportive and transitional housing for formerly homeless individuals. Client is planning to work with another nonprofit partner to expand its facility and programs. Client seeks legal assistance with drafting the partnership agreement.
Nonprofit (HOA) - Governance, PLC 19-1045527
Client is a nonprofit Home Owners Association that represents primarily low-income residents. Client seeks legal advice and guidance with resolving a governance dispute among the board members.
Nonprofit (Health) - Start-Up, PLC 19-1045201
Client is a new nonprofit organization whose mission is to change lives through alternative, inclusive activities, including water and equine therapy. Client seeks legal assistance with incorporating as a California Public Benefit Corporation and obtaining federal and state tax exempt status.
Nonprofit (Housing Assistance), PLC 18-1044973
Client is a community-based nonprofit unincorporated association whose mission is to assist very low income individuals who have been displaced from housing. Client seeks legal advice and guidance with developing internal governance and program policies. Client also seeks legal assistance with applying for federal tax-exempt status.
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SMALL BUSINESS
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Small Business (Apparel) - Contracts, PLC 19-1045396
Client is a low-income entrepreneur who is starting an e-commerce retail business. Client seeks legal assistance drafting a variety of business contracts, including sale of goods, consignment and wholesale agreements.
*Client is a Spanish speaker*
Email Directing Attorney Sarah Efthymiou
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SUPPORT
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Child and Spousal Support, PLC 19-1045801
Client is a single mother of three, and her primary source of income is child support and spousal support payments made by her ex-husband. The ex-husband has filed a post-Judgment Request for Order to seek reduction of support, which Client opposes. Client seeks representation for the hearing in mid-June 2019.
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VETERANS
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Affirmative Litigation - Insurance Dispute, PLC 17-1037378
Client is a veteran who owns a condominium in Orange County. An incident occurred in the community
that damaged Client's personal property. The insurance for the homeowners association is refusing to
cover the damage, leaving Client in a difficult situation because he cannot afford to repair the property.
Client has attempted to resolve this matter without litigation but has been unsuccessful. Client would like
assistance pursuing an affirmative case against the insurance company to compensate him for his
damages.
Homeowners Association Dispute/Foreclosure Defense, PLC 18E-1043158
Client is an elderly U.S. Army veteran facing a possible foreclosure by his Homeowners Association (HOA). Facing code enforcement issues because of its own failure to maintain the property, the HOA imposed special assessments that were unaffordable for client and many of the residents. Client is seeking representation in his dispute with the HOA, possible including internal dispute resolution and/or litigation.
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Public Law Center
601 Civic Center Drive West
Santa Ana, CA 92701
(714) 541-1010
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