December 13, 2018
PRACTICE AREAS



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Greetings,

This will be PLC's final case list of 2018. Whether you are new to the case list or have been receiving these emails for months (or even years!) we at PLC would like to express our immense gratitude. As attorneys, we understand that your time is pulled in many different directions, and we appreciate your interest and dedication in taking on a pro bono matter. We hope you can help us end the year on a high note, and can count on your continued support to make an even bigger impact in our Orange County community in the coming year!
 
As usual, our clients have a variety of different needs, especially our family law clients. Family legal needs encompass custody and support issues, requests for order, preliminary declarations of disclosure, and more. For more information about specific matters, please see case descriptions below.
 
Happy Holidays and Merry New Year!



Sincerely,

Carlos Mojica,

Community Organizations
Legal Assistance Project & Pro Bono,
Public Law Center
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 
Please contact Carlos Mojica with any questions.
ADOPTIONS

No cases at this time.
APPEALS
 
No cases at this time.
BANKRUPTCY

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.

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, PLC 18E-1042205
Client is a monolingual Spanish speaker with approximately $30,000 of unsecured debt. A creditor has already obtained a judgment against client and she fears having her wages garnished. Client depends on her entire paycheck to support her family because she is a single mom and sole provider for her four minor daughters. Client seeks the assistance of a pro bono attorney to discharge her debts in a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy.
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

Conservatorship, PLC 18-1043229
Proposed conservatee is a human trafficking client and needs a conservatorship in order to move forward with the T-visa application. She needs constant medical attention, supervision and assistance with daily activities. Client, and proposed conservator, is the sister of proposed conservatee. All family members' whereabouts are known. 
*Client is monolingual Spanish speaker*
Email Equal Justice Works Crime Victims Justice Corps Fellow Precious Odum
CONSUMER 

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.
CONTRACTS 

Small Business - Contracts, PLC 18-1044626
Client is a low income entrepreneur who has started a video production company. Client seeks legal assistance drafting contracts for client and independent contractors.
CUSTODY
 
Custody and 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.

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.

Custody, PLC 18E-1039672
Client is an English speaker and mother of two young girls. Client and her daughter are both disabled and hard of hearing. Client was the victim of domestic violence and requests assistance with a Request for Order modifying the custody and visitation order against the aggressor.
DISABILITY RIGHTS

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 

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.

Dissolution with Abuse and Children, PLC 18E-1044533
Survivor of domestic violence seeks assistance with pre-trial discovery and representation at trial. The opposing party's new partner is alleged to have physically abused the child during the other parent's custodial time.

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.

December 2018 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.
Divorce with Minor Child, PLC 18-1044736
Client is a single parent of one minor child, and the survivor of domestic violence perpetrated by the opposing party. The client was referred to the self-help center for assistance with a dissolution response, but the client seeks representation for the rest of the dissolution matter.
Divorce with Minor Child, PLC 18-1044737
Client is a single parent of one minor child, and the survivor of domestic violence perpetrated by the opposing party. The opposing party was also recently arrested for domestic violence against a different party, and is believed to abuse crystal meth. Client seeks representation in the dissolution matter.
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.

Post-Judgment Trial on Reserved Issues, PLC 18E-1042492
Client is in her early 50s, has a minor child and is a survivor of domestic violence. A dissolution Judgment was entered in her case almost 11 years ago. Division of the opposing party's retirement account was reserved, and the opposing party's business was never addressed in the Judgment. Client seeks assistance with a Request for Order to divide the opposing party's retirement account and business. 
EMPLOYMENT
 
No cases at this time.
GUARDIANSHIP

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.
HOMEOWNERSHIP 

No cases at this time.
IMMIGRATION 

Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), PLC 18-1043904
Client is married to an American citizen, who has abused her emotionally, physically and verbally. Her abuser been reported to the authorities and a criminal case is on-going against him. Client seeks assistance in applying for permanent residence as an abused spouse under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).
*Client is a monolingual Spanish speaker*

U-Visa, PLC 18E-1040155 
Client is in her mid-20s and makes less than $500 per month to support herself and her two children. She is a survivor of domestic violence, and her older child (who is still very young) witnesses the violence against her. Client's highest level of education is 11th grade. Client would like assistance submitting a U-Visa application for herself and her child. 
*Client is a monolingual Spanish speaker* 

Removal Defense and Asylum, PLC 18-1042807
Client and her family fled their country due to receiving threats of violence and death threats by the local criminal enterprise. They are devout evangelical Christians and they believe they were targeted for this reason. They have their next Immigration Court hearing on January 18, 2019 at 8:30 a.m. at the Los Angeles Immigration Court, in order to turn in initial paperwork to request asylum. They will have a follow-up hearing at an unknown date in 2020-2021 for the Immigration Judge to hear their testimony. PLC staff attorneys would be able to co-counsel if needed.
*Clients are monolingual Spanish speakers*
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY   
 
No cases at this time.
LANDLORD / TENANT

Landlord/Tenant Dispute - Retaliation, PLC 18-1043451
After a change in ownership at Client's apartment complex, the new owner of the apartment complex began renting the units on a short term basis, which had not been the case before. Client made continuous complaints to management about the noise issues from the short-term renters. After making a complaint to the City, Client received a notice terminating his tenancy and a notice increasing his rent. Client eventually vacated his unit, but would now like to sue the landlord for retaliation, breach of contract, improper withholding of his security deposit, and any other appropriate claims. Client would like to file a limited civil case to assert his rights and recover any damages to which he may be entitled.

Wrongful Eviction, PLC 18-1043071
Client is in his 50s and was subletting a room in the Adverse Party's apartment. Within two months of beginning to live there, Client was unlawfully locked out of the apartment by Adverse Party, which has caused Client significant expense and has damaged his credit, making it more difficult for Client to find stable housing again. Client sued the Adverse Party for wrongful eviction. Adverse Party filed an Answer and has now filed a motion seeking leave to file a cross complaint for alleged unpaid rent. Client is currently working on amending his complaint and would like to find a pro bono attorney to represent him in the case.
LITIGATION 

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.

Landlord/Tenant Dispute - Retaliation, PLC 18-1043451
After a change in ownership at Client's apartment complex, the new owner of the apartment complex began renting the units on a short term basis, which had not been the case before. Client made continuous complaints to management about the noise issues from the short-term renters. After making a complaint to the City, Client received a notice terminating his tenancy and a notice increasing his rent. Client eventually vacated his unit, but would now like to sue the landlord for retaliation, breach of contract, improper withholding of his security deposit, and any other appropriate claims. Client would like to file a limited civil case to assert his rights and recover any damages to which he may be entitled.

Wrongful Eviction, PLC 18-1043071
Client is in his 50s and was subletting a room in the Adverse Party's apartment. Within two months of beginning to live there, Client was unlawfully locked out of the apartment by Adverse Party, which has caused Client significant expense and has damaged his credit, making it more difficult for Client to find stable housing again. Client sued the Adverse Party for wrongful eviction. Adverse Party filed an Answer and has now filed a motion seeking leave to file a cross complaint for alleged unpaid rent. Client is currently working on amending his complaint and would like to find a pro bono attorney to represent him in the case.
Email Staff Attorney Richard Walker
NAME CHANGE

No cases at this time.
NONPROFIT

Nonprofit (Governance), PLC 18-1044912
Client is a nonprofit lending library and arts center that hosts a variety of literary events and presentations. Client seeks legal assistance drafting rules of conduct/guidelines for patrons of the library.  
Email Directing Attorney Sarah Efthymiou

Nonprofit (Start-up), PLC 18-1044913
Client is a theatre company formed by veterans for veterans. The organization's mission is to use narrative storytelling to personify the veteran experience and help make resources available to veterans and their surrounding community. Client seeks legal assistance with incorporating as a 501c3 nonprofit organization, as well as obtaining federal and state tax exemption.

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.
RESTRAINING ORDER 
 
No cases at this time.
SMALL BUSINESS 

Small Business - Contracts, PLC 18-1044626
Client is a low income entrepreneur who has started a video production company. Client seeks legal assistance drafting contracts for client and independent contractors.

Small Business - Corporate Tax/Compliance Advice, PLC 18-104153
Client is a low-income entrepreneur who is starting an technology consulting business. Client formed an LLC, which is classified as a Minority & Women Owned Business, in August 2018. As she is getting her business up and running, client seeks legal advice and counsel on a number of tax and compliance related matters, including selecting the appropriate tax classification (partnership vs corporation) and tax implications involved in providing services outside of California.
SPECIAL EDUCATION 
 
No cases at this time.
SUPPORT
 
Custody and Child Support, PLC18-1044871
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, PLC18-1044878
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.
UNACCOMPANIED CHILDREN
 
No cases at this time.
VETERANS

Nonprofit (Start-up), PLC 18-1044913
Client is a theatre company formed by veterans for veterans. The organization's mission is to use narrative storytelling to personify the veteran experience and help make resources available to veterans and their surrounding community. Client seeks legal assistance with incorporating as a 501c3 nonprofit organization, as well as obtaining federal and state tax exemption.
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WILLS & ESTATES 

Revocable Living Trust, PLC 18-1043207
Clients are a married couple who own a townhome. They would like to set up a revocable living trust to ensure that their property is distributed to their adult children when the children reach a certain, more responsible age. Clients also seek to create accompanying powers of attorney and Advance Healthcare Directives.
*Clients primarily speak Spanish*

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