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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,
As the first month of 2019 comes to a close and schedules are settling down, now is the perfect time to take on a pro bono case and make a difference in a client's life. As always, we have a variety of cases available for our volunteers to take on, including:
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Family law cases including custody, dissolution, and support
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Transactional needs, including contract drafting and incorporation advice;
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Specialized cases, like SSDI appeals and bankruptcies.
Whether your program of choice this weekend is the Super Bowl or the Puppy Bowl, we hope you can find the time to take on a case and make an impact in our Orange County community!
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Sincerely,
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Carlos Mojica,
Community Organizations
Legal Assistance Project & Pro Bono,
Public Law Center
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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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BANKRUPTCY
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Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, PLC 18E-1043636
Client is in her mid-50s with approximately $40,000 in unsecured debt. Additionally, client was the victim of fraud where she lost a significant sum of money. Client is seeking assistance in filing a Chapter 7 bankruptcy so that she can get a fresh start and move on with her life.
Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, PLC 18E-1043297
Client, a monolingual Spanish speaker, is in her mid-50s with approximately $11,000 in unsecured debt. A creditor has already obtained a judgment against her and she fears having her wages garnished. Client is a the legal guardian to her grandchildren and needs her entire paycheck to support her two grandchildren. Additionally, Client was previously the victim of fraud and identity theft. Client is seeking assistance in filing a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy.
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BENEFITS
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Social Security Disability Insurance Appeal, PLC 18E-1045038
Client is a 57-year-old woman with no income and 1 minor child. Client applied for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and recently was denied in November 2018. Client last worked about 2 and a half years ago in the food sales industry. Client went to the hospital for an inoperable brain mass in September 2016, and now has symptoms akin to a stroke, with paralysis on her left side and blindness in her left field of vision. Client also suffers from 3 bulging discs in her back, high blood pressure, and a pulmonary embolism. Client is appealing her SSDI denial and seeks representation.
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 19-1045310
Client is an English speaking mother of a soon-to-be adult son with Autism. Client's son has difficulty communicating his needs to those outside of his family, especially to his medical providers. He frequently defers to his mother for help. Client seeks to establish a limited conservatorship over her son so that she may continue making medical decisions on his behalf.
Limited Conservatorship, PLC 19E-1045133
Clients are a married couple and the parents of a soon-to-be adult daughter diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy and Epilepsy. Their daughter's vocabulary and ability to communicate is very limited and she relies heavily on her parents to interpret her needs. Clients seek to establish a limited conservatorship over her by the time she turns 18 in July.
*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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Car Repair Dispute, PLC 17E-1039044
Client took her car in for repairs at a local auto repair shop. After leaving the repair shop, Client discovered that significant damage had been done to her car, resulting in significant repair costs. Because she could not afford to repair her car, which was fully paid off, Client purchased a new vehicle that she had to finance with a monthly payment of almost $400. Client would like assistance pursuing the auto repair shop for the damages their shoddy work caused.
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CONTRACTS
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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*
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CUSTODY
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Post-Judgment Change in Custody, PLC 19-1045319
Client is a survivor of domestic violence seeking a post-Judgment change in custody for her teenage son, who has stated a preference to live with her. Her hearing is in the fourth week of February.
Custody, PLC 18-1043918
Domestic violence survivor requests assistance with a custody matter in which the children have been subjected to violence committed by the other parent's new partner. Hearing is set for January 2019.
Custody, PLC 18-1044889
Client has a custody issue set for early February 2019. Client and Adverse Party share 1 minor child. There is constant verbal abuse against the Client and child. Adverse Party yells at Client and calls Client derogatory terms always in front of the child. Adverse Party has taken the child twice without informing Client. Once, Adverse Party went away with child for about two days and a half. Adverse Party will take child to use as leverage against Client so Client does what Adverse Party wants. Adverse Party tells the child that Client is not someone safe to be around. Adverse Party has gone as far as making false allegations to the school and Client's friends. Adverse Party often takes child out of school early, drops off late, or has the child completely miss school. Adverse Party does not allow Client to drop off child at school. Adverse Party claims child is sick but child has not been to the doctors since late 2017. Client would like to be able to be with the child in a safe environment without fear that Adverse Party will take their child away at any moment.
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DISABILITY RIGHTS
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Social Security Disability Insurance Appeal, PLC 18E-1045038
Client is a 57-year-old woman with no income and 1 minor child. Client applied for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and recently was denied in November 2018. Client last worked about 2 and a half years ago in the food sales industry. Client went to the hospital for an inoperable brain mass in September 2016, and now has symptoms akin to a stroke, with paralysis on her left side and blindness in her left field of vision. Client also suffers from 3 bulging discs in her back, high blood pressure, and a pulmonary embolism. Client is appealing her SSDI denial and seeks representation.
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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Divorce with Custody, PLC 18E-1042590
Client is a 27 year-old single parent of one minor child, and the survivor of domestic violence who needs assistance with filing a divorce. There is a pending dependency case and she is monolingual Spanish speaker.
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.
Divorce, Custody, and Support, PLC 18-1044871
Client is a monolingual Spanish speaker requiring assistance with his Preliminary Declarations of Disclosure. He also seeks assistance filing a Request for Order regarding custody, a minor's interview for his teenaged daughter, and support reduction.
Divorce without Children, PLC 18-1044601
Client is a survivor of domestic violence seeking assistance with a divorce from a high-income earning husband. Public Law Center was able to assist her with Step 1, but client seeks assistance with dissolution steps 2 and 3. There are no children in common.
Divorce Trial with Child, PLC 18-1044605
Client is permanently and fully disabled with a minor child. Client seeks assistance with an upcoming dissolution trial. Contentious custody issues arose after a family tragedy. Please contact for details.
Judgment Enforcement, PLC 18-1044749
Client is a 49-year-old single parent caring for two minor children and an adult disabled child. Dissolution judgment was entered in 2015 and included a Smith-Ostler support order. Public Law Center has assisted client with writing a letter to the opposing party, but is unable to provide further assistance. Client seeks representation for Judgment enforcement.
Putative Spouse Divorce, PLC 18-1044739
Client is a survivor of domestic violence perpetrated by the opposing party, who has a record of domestic violence against other partners. Client recently learned that the opposing party failed to divorce a prior spouse prior to marrying the client. Client seeks assistance with a putative spouse divorce. A spousal support and attorney's fees hearing is set for early February 2019.
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EMPLOYMENT
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Small Business - Employment Manual, PLC 19-1045183
Client is a low income entrepreneur who operates a car wash and detail center. Client seeks legal assistance drafting an employment manual.
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GUARDIANSHIP
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Guardianship, 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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IMMIGRATION
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Legal Permanent Residency, PLC 19E-1045303
Client is a loving, devoted stepfather to his stepson who is an active-duty Marine. He is eligible to apply for permanent resident status through his stepson. He seeks assistance with this process, including submission of the application and supporting documents, as well as possible attendance at an interview at the US Citizenship and Immigration Services Office in Santa Ana, CA.
*Client is a monolingual Spanish speaker*
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LITIGATION
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Post-Judgment Change in Custody, PLC 19-1045319
Client is a survivor of domestic violence seeking a post-Judgment change in custody for her teenage son, who has stated a preference to live with her. Her hearing is in the fourth week of February.
Judgment Enforcement, PLC 18-1044749
Client is a 49-year-old single parent caring for two minor children and an adult disabled child. Dissolution judgment was entered in 2015 and included a Smith-Ostler support order. Public Law Center has assisted client with writing a letter to the opposing party, but is unable to provide further assistance. Client seeks representation for Judgment enforcement.
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NONPROFIT
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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
Small Business - Employment Manual, PLC 19-1045183
Client is a low income entrepreneur who operates a car wash and detail center. Client seeks legal assistance drafting an employment manual.
Small Business - Incorporation, PLC 19-1045184
Client is a low income entrepreneur who would like to start an online business selling self-improvement products such as journals and planners. Client seeks legal assistance on the choice of entity and the incorporation process.
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SUPPORT
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Custody and Child Support, PLC 18-1044871
Client is a monolingual Spanish speaker seeking assistance with filing a Request for Order regarding custody, a minor's interview for his teenaged daughter, and support reduction.
Child and Spousal Support, PLC 18-1044878
Client is a domestic violence survivor seeking assistance with child support and spousal support after a 20-year marriage. Public Law Center assisted the client with writing a cease and desist letter to the opposing party due to ongoing harassment, but the client seeks representation in these other matters.
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WILLS & ESTATES
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Transfer on Death Deed, PLC 19-1045361
Elderly client, who has been a victim of elder abuse, seeks assistance with creating a Transfer on Death deed to ensure that her home is transferred specifically to her daughter at client's death. She also seeks to create a Will to nominate a successor guardian for a child and to leave certain personal property to her daughter.
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Public Law Center
601 Civic Center Drive West
Santa Ana, CA 92701
(714) 541-1010
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