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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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We have much to be thankful for at PLC this time of year. On a daily basis, we get to meet incredible clients - resilient, brave and determined clients. At the same time, we get to work with passionate law students, interpreters, paralegals, attorneys, and others who volunteer to represent our clients.
One of our newest projects focuses on justice for older adults, specifically focusing on elder financial abuse. One of the unique aspects of this project is that we now have a social worker on staff to support our legal work on these cases, including those placed with volunteers. You will see some of these cases in our Disabilities and Litigation sections, and in future lists also in our Contracts, Consumer and Homeownership sections. These clients are particularly vulnerable, and are particularly in need of your assistance.
Please contact me if you have any questions, or if you would like to get involved with our older adult clients. And have a wonderful, safe and restful holiday with your families.
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Sincerely,
Leigh Ferrin
Directing Attorney,
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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
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BANKRUPTCY
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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.
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BENEFITS
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Social Security Disability Insurance Appeal Hearing, PLC 19E-1047063
Client suffers from a number of disabilities including asthma, bipolar disorder, Crohn's disease, fibromyalgia, and neuropathy. Client was also recently diagnosed with a carcinoid tumor, which has returned for the fourth time, and Client will need to begin undergoing treatment soon. Social Security Administration wants to terminate Client's Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), claiming her disability is not severe enough to prevent her from working. Client depends on SSDI for income and to qualify for Medicare coverage. Client has requested an Administrative Law Judge hearing to appeal the termination of SSDI and needs 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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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*
Limited Conservatorship, PLC 19E-1048504
Clients are the mother and father of a soon-to-be adult son who has Autism. Their son will turn 18 in February 2020. Clients' son requires constant supervision and cannot be left alone. He will soon be assigned a new physician and clients seek to have a limited conservatorship in place so they can continue to make medical decisions, among other important decisions, on his behalf.
*Clients are monolingual Spanish speakers*
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CONSUMER
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Unfair Sales Practices, PLC 19E-1047800
Earlier this year, a Client in her late 50s financed a food truck in the hopes of fulfilling her lifelong dream of owning her own business. The company she bought it from represented the truck as being in prefect working order. Several issues became apparent after Client took delivery of the truck, which have led to a loss of business and the expenditure of out of pocket costs for repairs. Client seeks assistance with rescinding the contract for the loan and obtaining reimbursement for damages so that she can continue pursuing her dream of being a small business owner.
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.
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CONTRACTS
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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.
Unfair Sales Practices, PLC 19E-1047800
Earlier this year, a Client in her late 50s financed a food truck in the hopes of fulfilling her lifelong dream of owning her own business. The company she bought it from represented the truck as being in prefect working order. Several issues became apparent after Client took delivery of the truck, which have led to a loss of business and the expenditure of out of pocket costs for repairs. Client seeks assistance with rescinding the contract for the loan and obtaining reimbursement for damages so that she can continue pursuing her dream of being a small business owner.
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DISABILITY
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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 Hearing, PLC 19E-1047063
Client suffers from a number of disabilities including asthma, bipolar disorder, Crohn's disease, fibromyalgia, and neuropathy. Client was also recently diagnosed with a carcinoid tumor, which has returned for the fourth time, and Client will need to begin undergoing treatment soon. Social Security Administration wants to terminate Client's Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), claiming her disability is not severe enough to prevent her from working. Client depends on SSDI for income and to qualify for Medicare coverage. Client has requested an Administrative Law Judge hearing to appeal the termination of SSDI and needs 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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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.
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EMPLOYMENT
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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.
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GUARDIANSHIP
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No cases at this time.
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HOMEOWNERSHIP
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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.
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IMMIGRATION
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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 19-1048679
Client is a single mother of three U.S. citizen children who has survived physical and emotional domestic violence by her husband. Client reported the abuse to law enforcement. Client would like assistance in preparing and filing a U-Visa petition.
*Client is a monolingual Spanish speaker*
U-Visa, PLC 19-1047682
Client is a single mother of three U.S. Citizen children. She survived 10 years of emotional and physical abuse by her previous spouse. She obtained restraining orders against the abuser. She now seeks assistance with applying for a U-Visa for herself.
*Client is a monolingual Spanish speaker.*
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.
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LANDLORD / TENANT
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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.
Secure Healthy and Safe Housing for Low-Income Families, PLC 19E-1047632
Clients are residents in a multi-unit apartment complex beset by habitability issues. After complaining and requesting repairs, the clients were served with 60-day notices to quit. Clients seek assistance filing an affirmative action against their landlord for breach of the warranty of habitability and retaliatory eviction.
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.
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LITIGATION
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Litigation Defense for Older Adult, PLC 10-104
Client is over 60 and lives out of state. While mourning the loss of a close relative who lived in Orange County, she was sued by her sister. After investigation, PLC believes the lawsuit is frivolous, at least as to Client. Client is seeking assistance defending the lawsuit, particularly since it is difficult for her to travel to and from California. Trial is currently set for April 2020.
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.
Secure Healthy and Safe Housing for Low-Income Families, PLC 19E-1047632
Clients are residents in a multi-unit apartment complex beset by habitability issues. After complaining and requesting repairs, the clients were served with 60-day notices to quit. Clients seek assistance filing an affirmative action against their landlord for breach of the warranty of habitability and retaliatory eviction.
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.
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NON-PROFIT
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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.
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SMALL BUSINESS
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Unfair Sales Practices, PLC 19E-1047800
Earlier this year, a Client in her late 50s financed a food truck in the hopes of fulfilling her lifelong dream of owning her own business. The company she bought it from represented the truck as being in perfect working order. Several issues became apparent after Client took delivery of the truck, which have led to a loss of business and the expenditure of out of pocket costs for repairs. Client seeks assistance with rescinding the contract for the loan and obtaining reimbursement for damages so that she can continue pursuing her dream of being a small business owner.
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SPECIAL EDUCATION
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No cases at this time.
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SUPPORT
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No cases at this time.
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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.
State Court Findings - Special Immigrant Juvenile Status
PLC has a number of cases where an Immigration Judge has ordered our clients to seek orders from state court for their minor children. Obtaining the specific orders would qualify them to apply for a green card based on the youth being abused, abandoned or neglected by one or both of their parents. PLC is seeking assistance with obtaining the state court orders, through either restraining order, parentage or other proceedings, primarily in Los Angeles County. PLC will provide substantial support, and has approximately 3-5 cases currently in need of assistance.
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Public Law Center
601 Civic Center Drive West
Santa Ana, CA 92701
(714) 541-1010
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