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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,
Happy (belated) New Year to all! As always, we have a variety of cases available for our volunteers to take on, including:
- Transactional needs, including drafting an employment manual for a low-income entrepreneur;
- Litigation cases in state and federal court, for issues such as housing and family law;
- Family law cases including custody, dissolution, and support
- Specialized cases, like trusts and bankruptcies.
With all of these cases, our clients are seeking pro bono representation to do what they can to make a better life for themselves, their family and their community. 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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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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CUSTODY
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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.
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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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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.
Email Lead Staff Attorney Joanna Wong
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, 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.
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.
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.
Email Lead Staff Attorney Joanna Wong
Judgement Enforcement, PLC 19-1045231
Client is a 50 year old monolingual Spanish speaker with post-judgement dissolution. Client's dissolution judgement was entered in 2011 and client seeks to enforce orders for both parties to sell a community property home and community property van, and split the proceeds. The property is in the possession of the adverse party.
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.
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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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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*
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LANDLORD / TENANT
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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.
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LITIGATION
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Judgement Enforcement, PLC 19-1045231
Client is a 50 year old monolingual Spanish speaker with post-judgement dissolution. Client's dissolution judgement was entered in 2011 and client seeks to enforce orders for both parties to sell a community property home and community property van, and split the proceeds. The property is in the possession of the adverse party.
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
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NONPROFIT
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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 - 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.
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.
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SUPPORT
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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.
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WILLS & ESTATES
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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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Public Law Center
601 Civic Center Drive West
Santa Ana, CA 92701
(714) 541-1010
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