December 13, 2019
PRACTICE AREAS



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Greetings,

This will be the last case list of 2019. I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season and a happy new year. Before we head off to spend time with family and friends, I want to leave you with one last reason why it is so important to get involved in pro bono work.
 
Immigrants are a key part of the population that PLC serves. Whether they have been in the United States for years, have family members who are natural-born citizens, fear for their lives if they return to their home country or came to this country when they were two years old and do not know any other home, we assist them with their civil legal needs. Many of those needs are immigration-related, but a variety of other needs also come up, as is typical with most clients. We have assisted our immigrant clients with scams they have been subjected to, with domestic violence restraining orders, and with housing related issues. One particularly issue involves landlords who discriminate against our tenants on the basis of their immigration status. We have one such case on the list right now.
 
Almost all of our clients come to us afraid, nervous and uncertain, but all of those feelings are multiplied for our clients who are also immigrants. Now, in this season of giving, is the perfect time to find a case on our list, or reach out to me directly, to find a way to get involved before the end of the year.
 




Sincerely,
 




Leigh Ferrin
Directing Attorney, 
Pro Bono Programs






 

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
Please contact  Leigh Ferrin  with any questions. 

ADOPTIONS

No cases at this time.
APPEALS
 
Appeal of Debt Collection Judgment, PLC 19E-1049063
Client is in her 20s and seeks assistance appealing a judgment entered in against her. Client disputes the debt and believes the pre-trial collection efforts and the pleadings in the trial court case contained errors which impacted her ability to defend herself. In addition, Client believes the trial court erred in multiple ways during the trial. Client has filed the notice of appeal and designation of the record in pro per, and seeks assistance with the remainder of the appeal, including with the opening brief.
BANKRUPTCY

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, PLC 19E-1048180
Client is in her early-50s with approximately $47,000 in unsecured debt. Client was recently sued by several of her creditors and wishes to file for bankruptcy to avoid  the stress associated with litigating the cases in pro per. She also hopes that filing for bankruptcy will give her the opportunity to move on with her life and get a fresh start.

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, PLC 19E-1047667
Client is in her late-50s with approximately $20,000 in unsecured debt. Client is a monolingual Spanish speaker. Client wants to protect her income so that she can support herself and she hopes that filing for bankruptcy will give her the opportunity to move on with her life and get a fresh start.
BENEFITS

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.
CONSERVATORSHIP

Limited Conservatorship, PLC 19E-1048852
Clients' daughter, age 22, has cerebral palsy and epilepsy. She cannot see, speak and walk. However, she enjoys music the sound of her mother's voice. Clients' daughter suffers from multiple physical ailments which have required hospitalization. Clients seek to establish a limited conservatorship of their daughter's person to continue making medical decisions for her. They also wish to enroll her in an educational program that can accommodate her special needs. All 2nd degree relatives are known and located. Clients are monolingual Spanish speakers.
 
Limited Conservatorship, PLC 19E-1048884
Clients are parents to an 18 year old daughter who has Down syndrome. Their daughter is non-verbal but her parents can identify her needs. Clients seek to establish a limited conservatorship of her person, specifically to sign contracts and make medical decisions on her behalf. Due to her age, their daughter's medical provider (a pediatrician) will soon change and clients wish to have decision-making authority by then. Clients are monolingual Spanish speakers.
 
Limited Conservatorship, PLC 19E-1048891
Client is a single mother whose adult-daughter has an intellectual disability. Client seeks to establish a limited conservatorship of her daughter's person to help her make important decisions, especially regarding her education and medical care. Client would like her other adult-daughter to be co-conservator. Client is a monolingual Spanish speaker.

General Conservatorship, PLC 19-1048664
Client's brother suffered an ischemic stroke and his cognition is declining. He is not able to make his own decisions anymore and resides in a nursing home. The stroke has left him unable to speak and partially paralyzed. Client has been making medical decisions on his brother's behalf when he can but is usually asked to present proof of decision-making authority. Client seeks to establish a general conservatorship over his brother to continue making decisions for him. Client would like to share the conservatorship duties with his other 2 brothers, as they each take turns visiting and caring for the proposed conservatee. Client seeks a conservatorship of the person only, not the estate.  
*Client speaks English but is more comfortable in Spanish*
CONSUMER 

Appeal of Debt Collection Judgment, PLC 19E-1049063
Client is in her 20s and seeks assistance appealing a judgment entered in against her. Client disputes the debt and believes the pre-trial collection efforts and the pleadings in the trial court case contained errors which impacted her ability to defend herself. In addition, Client believes the trial court erred in multiple ways during the trial. Client has filed the notice of appeal and designation of the record in pro per, and seeks assistance with the remainder of the appeal, including with the opening brief.

Debt Collection Defense, PLC 19E-1047642
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. 
*Case Management Conference is set for late January 2020*

Motion to Vacate Default Judgment (Debt Collection Defense), PLC 19E-1045659

Client is a Spanish-speaking female in her 40s. Client recently discovered a default judgment was entered in against her several years ago. Client believes service of the summons and complaint were not proper, and there appear to be additional procedural deficiencies with the case. Client seeks assistance setting aside the default judgment because she disputes the debt and believes procedural deficiencies provide a basis to dismiss the case.

Motion to Vacate Default Judgment (Debt Collection Defense), PLC 19E-1047000
Client is a single mother in her 50s. She recently received notice of a wage garnishment for a case she did not realize had been filed against her. Client's claim of exemption was partially granted. Client cannot afford any money being garnished from her wages and disputes the validity of the debt that formed the basis of the default judgment against her. Client believes service of the summons and complaint were not proper. Client seeks assistance vacating the default judgment so that she can end the wage garnishment and defend herself on the merits.
CONTRACTS

Nonprofit (Food Security) - Contracts, PLC 19-1048956
Client is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to alleviate food insecurity in Orange County. Client seeks legal assistance with drafting a Memorandum of Understanding with another nonprofit to provide a feeding program at their site.

Small Business (Music Production) - Intellectual Property/Contracts, PLC 19-1048955
Client is low-income entrepreneur involved in music production. Client seeks legal advice and counsel regarding copyright protection for music produced by the business, as well as legal assistance with reviewing potential recording contracts.

Transfer of Personal Property - Contracts - PLC 19-1048651
Client resides in a mobile home that she purchased with the help of her sister multiple years ago. Client paid the down payment and has made all loan payments and rent payments since the mobile home was purchased. Sister's name is on all loan documents and on the title for the mobile home because Client did not have sufficient credit to qualify for the purchase of the mobile home. Client would now like to sell her mobile home and move. Sister may have capacity issues, and Client's nephew (Sister's son) has Power of Attorney. Client needs assistance drafting an agreement with Nephew on behalf of Sister for the sale of the mobile home. 
CUSTODY

No cases at this time.
DISABILITY

A ffirmative Litigation - Elder Financial Abuse, PLC 19-1049070
Client is in her late 80s and is the victim of elder financial abuse. In order to have the financial ability to care for her medical and housing needs, it is necessary to file an affirmative action to recover the real and personal property stolen from her. The individuals who took these assets still control them, and some recovery appears likely.

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.

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.
DISSOLUTION 

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.

Litigation/Judgment Enforcement/Dissolution, PLC 19-1048726

Client is a fixed income social security recipient who is a survivor of domestic violence.  Husband stopped paying spousal support in violation of dissolution Judgment. Client requires support income to pay basic living expenses. Client seeks enforcement and/ or contempt action. 
*Case is located in Chatsworth (Los Angeles)* 

Dissolution, PLC 19-1046173
Client is a survivor of domestic violence who is currently unemployed and receiving government benefits. She has two children under the age of two. She seeks assistance with her divorce. Preliminary disclosures have not yet been exchanged. PLC is assisting the client with a custodial move-away request.
EMPLOYMENT
 
Nonprofit (Community Development) - Employment Policies, PLC 19-1048952
Client is an existing 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote equitable community and civic engagement in Orange County. Client seeks legal assistance with reviewing their current employee handbook.

Nonprofit (Housing) - Employment Policies, PLC 19-1047339  
Client is an existing 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to increase the availability of affordable homes in Orange County. Client seeks legal assistance with reviewing their current employment manual and policies. 
GUARDIANSHIP

No cases at this time.
HOMEOWNERSHIP

Preserve Safe and Healthy Housing for Seniors, PLC 19E-1047068
Clients reside in a senior mobilehome park and are experiencing serious health effects from vapor intrusion and toxic contamination of the soil and groundwater beneath the park caused by local industry. DTSC has already issued a report identifying the contamination. Clients are seeking to have the contamination cleaned up and to receive compensation for the loss in value of their property and the health effects they have experienced.
IMMIGRATION 

Special Immigrant Juvenile Status and Asylum, PLC 19-1048670
Client's father passed away while client was living with him in his home country. After moving in with a relative, client was abused and neglected, and eventually kicked out of the relative's home. Client moved in with another relative and was subjected to significant verbal and physical abuse. Client feared for his life, fled his home country and came to the United States to be reunited with his mother. Client seeks assistance with submitting applications for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status and Asylum.

Asylum, PLC 19-104TBD
Client is in his early 30s. He is gay and living with a long-term illness. While he has an asylum claim, he needs to overcome a statute of limitations issue, but we believe he can do that based on the client's mental health issues, corroborated by a mental health provider. Client would like representation in his asylum claim to be able to remain in the United States and continue his mental health treatment.

Defensive Asylum, PLC 19E-1045885/19-1045895
Clients are a couple that fled their home country with their young daughter after armed men threatened them with harm because they failed to vote for a certain political candidate. The family was paroled into the U.S. in late 2018. Clients are seeking assistance with their defensive asylum case, and each would like to include their daughter on their asylum applications. 
*Clients are monolingual Spanish speakers*

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*
Email Staff Attorney Diana Spix

Immigration/U-Visa, PLC 19E-1048728
Client is a 23-year-old DACA recipient who has survived domestic violence by her ex-partner. With her help in the investigation and prosecution, her ex-partner was convicted of domestic battery and violation of a protective order. Client would like assistance in preparing and filing a U-Visa petition.

U-Visa, PLC 19-1045572
Client is 50 years old and a mother of 2 U.S. citizen children. She is a survivor of domestic violence at the hands of her husband. Client reported the abuse to law enforcement and was granted a restraining order from the family court. She would like assistance preparing and filing a U-Visa petition.
*Client is a monolingual Spanish speaker*

VAWA, PLC 19-1048492
Client is a single mother of two U.S. Citizen children, who is the survivor of years of emotional and physical abuse by her U.S. Citizen spouse. Client is in therapy and attending a parenting group for survivors of domestic violence. Client is seeking assistance with submitting a self-petition and application for adjustment of status under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). 
*Client is a monolingual Spanish speaker.*

VAWA, PLC 19-1048565 
Client is in her early 70's.  She survived domestic violence at the hands of her U.S. Citizen spouse and obtained restraining order against him. Client would like assistance in filing a VAWA self-petition and Adjustment of Status.
*Client is monolingual Spanish speaker*

VAWA, PLC 19-1046677
Client is in her early 50's. She is the victim of verbal and mental abuse by her US Citizen Spouse, who often calls her names and uses her immigration status as a threat. Her previous application for adjustment was denied because he would not go to the interview. Client has not reported him to the police in fear of her immigration status and is in the process of seperating. Client would like assistance in preparing and filing a VAWA self-petition and Adjustment of Status.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY   

Nonprofit (Vocational Training) - Intellectual Property, PLC 19-1048954
Client is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide workforce development services and programs to assist workers displaced by automation. Client seeks legal advice and guidance with how to best protect the organization's intellectual property, including their logo and educational curriculum.

Small Business (Music Production) - Intellectual Property/Contracts, PLC 19-1048955
Client is low-income entrepreneur involved in music production. Client seeks legal advice and counsel regarding copyright protection for music produced by the business, as well as legal assistance with reviewing potential recording contracts.
LANDLORD / TENANT

Housing Discrimination, PLC 19E-1048400
Clients are a couple with two young children. Clients were approved to move into an apartment, but after moving in, they were told they could not reside in the apartment because they lacked citizenship status, in violation of California law. Clients were forced to vacate within a week of moving in. Clients would now like to recover their costs and damages as a result of the discrimination and more importantly make sure that the management company does not continue to discriminate against others in the future. 

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.  
LITIGATION

Affirmative Litigation - Elder Financial Abuse, PLC 19-1049070
Client is in her late 80s and is the victim of elder financial abuse. In order to have the financial ability to care for her medical and housing needs, it is necessary to file an affirmative action to recover the real and personal property stolen from her. The individuals who took these assets still control them, and some recovery appears likely.

Debt Collection Defense, PLC 19E-1047642
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. 
*Case Management Conference is set for late January 2020*

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.

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.

Preserve Safe and Healthy Housing for Seniors, PLC 19E-1047068
Clients reside in a senior mobilehome park and are experiencing serious health effects from vapor intrusion and toxic contamination of the soil and groundwater beneath the park caused by local industry. DTSC has already issued a report identifying the contamination. Clients are seeking to have the contamination cleaned up and to receive compensation for the loss in value of their property and the health effects they have experienced.

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.  
NAME CHANGE

No cases at this time.
NON-PROFIT

Nonprofit (Community Development) - Employment Policies, PLC 19-1048952
Client is an existing 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote equitable community and civic engagement in Orange County. Client seeks legal assistance with reviewing their current employee handbook.

Nonprofit (Food Security) - Contracts, PLC 19-1048956
Client is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to alleviate food insecurity in Orange County. Client seeks legal assistance with drafting a Memorandum of Understanding with another nonprofit to provide a feeding program at their site.

Nonprofit (Vocational Training) - Intellectual Property, PLC 19-1048954
Client is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide workforce development services and programs to assist workers displaced by automation. Client seeks legal advice and guidance with how to best protect the organization's intellectual property, including their logo and educational curriculum.

Nonprofit (Community Development) - Employment Policies, PLC 19-1048952
Client is an existing 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote equitable community and civic engagement in Orange County. Client seeks legal assistance with reviewing their current employee handbook.

Nonprofit (Community Development) - Board Manual, PLC 19-1048953
Client is an existing 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote equitable community and civic engagement in Orange County. Client seeks legal assistance with reviewing their current board manual and governance policies.
RESTRAINING ORDER
 
No cases at this time.
SMALL BUSINESS 

Small Business (Music Production) - Intellectual Property/Contracts, PLC 19-1048955
Client is low-income entrepreneur involved in music production. Client seeks legal advice and counsel regarding copyright protection for music produced by the business, as well as legal assistance with reviewing potential recording contracts.
SPECIAL EDUCATION
  
No cases at this time.
SUPPORT

No cases at this time.
UNACCOMPANIED CHILDREN
 
No cases at this time.
VETERANS

No cases at this time.
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WILLS & ESTATES 

No cases at this time.

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