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October is Pro Bono Month, a perfect time to reflect on the impact attorneys like you have in our community. Take for instance one of our clients, Martha, a human trafficking survivor who was recently highlighted in the current issue of the Orange County Lawyer. Through pro bono efforts, Martha was able to escape her dire circumstances and rebuild her life. Stories like hers remind us how transformative pro bono work can be for people in need of justice and support, as well as the pro bono attorneys that help them.
And in the spirit of this special month, spooky season is also in full swing! The 12th Annual Halloween Bash is coming up, hosted by PLC Advocates & the Orange County Lavender Bar Association:
When: Thursday, October 24, 6:30 pm -10:30 pm
Where: Fete the Venue, Costa Mesa
Theme: Eerie 80's – get ready to break out your leg warmers and tease that hair for our epic costume contest!
Your ticket will help support PLC clients, like Martha, making this a fun and meaningful way to give back. Don’t miss out—get your tickets now!
Thank you for all you do, and we hope to see you at the Halloween Bash for a spooky good time!
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Sincerely,
Angela Mestre
Pro Bono Coordinator
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FINANCIAL/INCOME PROTECTION | |
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Client Seeks Justice and Clarity: Suspected Forgery and Transfer of Home into a Trust
– PLC 24-0094392
Client lives with her mother in a home in which Client once owned as a joint tenant. Client believes her sister forged Client’s signature on deed documents, effectively transferring the home out of Client’s name. She believes her sister then placed the property into their mother’s trust, without authorization from either Client or their mother. Client has no information regarding the trust's beneficiaries. Client seeks a pro bono attorney to assist in obtaining more information about the trust, its beneficiaries, and to explore her legal options, including a possible quiet title action to reclaim her rightful ownership.
Email Staff Attorney Morgan Padgett
Help a Young Man Enforce His Rights: Contract Dispute – PLC 24-0090512
Client, an English-speaker in his early 30’s, is seeking justice after his landlord breached a lease agreement. Client is striving to recover the financial losses he suffered as a result and move forward with his life, focusing on self-improvement and a fresh start. He is in need of a pro bono attorney to help him regain stability and secure the compensation he deserves.
Email Staff Attorney Morgan Padgett
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Help a Courageous Mother Find Justice: U-Visa – PLC 23-0075505
Client, a 35-year-old widowed mother of five, is looking for a Pro Bono attorney to assist on a U-Visa. Client is bravely navigating life after a history of domestic violence. She has endured emotional, verbal, and physical abuse at the hands of her late husband, who passed away by suicide. Despite these hardships, Client remains strong, caring for her five US-born children on her own. Client is a DACA recipient with no criminal record and is bilingual in both English and Spanish.
Email Staff Attorney Allyssa Scheyer
Stand Up for Justice: U-Visa – PLC 23-0080707
Client is seeking a pro bono attorney to assist on a U-Visa. Client is a hardworking father and security guard who was the victim of a brutal assault with a deadly weapon while on the job. This dedicated father of three U.S. citizen children, cooperated fully with the police investigation and is now eligible for a U-Visa. However, he continues to suffer from serious health complications resulting from the assault. Client is a monolingual Spanish speaker and seeks to include his wife, a Mexican national, as a derivative on his application.
Email Staff Attorney Allyssa Scheyer
Be a Lifeline for a Survivor: T-Visa Assistance Needed – PLC 24-0087012
Client, a courageous survivor of human trafficking and domestic violence, seeks a Pro Bono attorney to assist in her T-Visa application. Client endured horrific abuse, both in her home country and in the U.S., at the hands of her estranged spouse, who controlled her travel, kept her wages, and forced her to cook and clean for him against her will. If Spouse was unsatisfied with Client’s cooking, he would smash the food in client’s face. The abuse extended to forced sexual services. This strong, monolingual Spanish-speaking woman is now bravely seeking assistance to rebuild her life. She is the sole applicant, and interpretation services are available to support communication, if needed.
Email Co-Supervising Attorney Precious Odum
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Fight Unlawful Mass Evictions – PLC 24-0094135, 24-0093060, 24-0094799, 24-0094517,
24-0094518
Landlord is evicting entire building(s) of tenants, including many seniors, in violation of Tenant Protection Act of 2019, the Santa Ana Rent Stabilization Ordinance, and recent amendments to state law. Landlord has issued 60 and 90-Day notices to vacate, set to expire by the end of November and December, to multiple families. The notices appear to violate the Tenant Protection Act by not adequately describing why the alleged substantial remodel would require the unit to be vacated for a minimum of 30 consecutive days. Clients are fighting to stay in their homes but need a pro bono attorney to challenge the notices, possibly obtain temporary relocation assistance from Landlord during any construction work, and obtain the right to either remain in their units or reoccupy at a comparable rent. Your legal assistance in this fight will help protect these vulnerable clients.
Email Directing Attorney Richard Walker
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Unlawful Detainer: Full Representation Needed for Tenant – PLC 24-0088905
Landlord is evicting entire building(s) of tenants in violation of Tenant Protection Act of 2019 and recent amendments. Citing the need for “substantial remodel,” Landlord issued 60-Day notices to vacate to multiple families. These notices, which expired mid-June, appear to violate the Tenant Protection Act as updated on April 1, 2024 by failing to show a substantial remodel will occur requiring tenants to vacate for thirty days. Once the 60 days expired, Landlord filed an unlawful detainer action against our Clients. Clients have demurred twice to the complaint, with the Court granting Landlord leave to amend each time. Some discovery has been completed and no trial date has been set. Clients are preparing to respond to the most recently amended complaint. Client is in need of full scope representation to continue challenging the unlawful detainer (currently other tenants are represented in their respective cases by other firms).
Email Directing Attorney Richard Walker
Legal Help Needed for Single Father: Breach of the Warranty of Habitability – PLC 24-0093488
Client, a single father with partial custody of two young children, is facing serious housing challenges. After being served with a 60-Day Notice to Vacate by a new landlord, Cient was verbally told by Landlord’s agent that rent was not required for the final two months. Despite this, Client was served with a 3-Day Notice to Pay Rent or Quit, upon which Landlord initiated an unlawful detainer action against Client. Then, with Client still living in the property, Landlord began demolishing the kitchen and bedroom walls and recently disconnected the utilities. Due to the state of the property, Client has had to stop exercising his visitation rights with his children.
The City of Santa Ana Code Enforcement has issued a Notice to Stop Construction on the property due to Landlord’s failure to obtain proper building permits. The property is subject to Santa Ana's Just Cause and Rent Stabilization Ordinance, and Landlord is not in compliance with the Ordinance. Client seeks legal assistance from a pro bono attorney with addressing Landlord’s habitability violations. Help this father obtain safe housing for him and his family.
Email Supervising Attorney Iraida Oliva
Help a Father Resolve a Mobilehome Lien Issue – PLC 24-0094188
Client, a monolingual Spanish-speaker and father of three, is facing a frustrating title issue over his mobilehome. After purchasing the home in 1993 with his previous spouse and paying off the mortgage, Client received an incorrect title from the mortgage company—bearing the wrong name, address, and listing a property outside of California. When Client attempted to have title transferred to him through the California Department of Housing and Community Development, he was informed that the mortgage company still has a lien on his mobilehome, despite Client having a letter confirming the loan was paid off. Client seeks assistance from a pro bono attorney to resolve this issue, remove the lien, and obtain the correct title in his name. Help bring clarity and justice to this dedicated father.
Email Directing Attorney Richard Walker
Stand Up for a Survivor: Eviction Defense Needed – PLC 24-0092464
Pro bono attorney needed to defend a mother and her adult daughter who are facing eviction, possibly linked to Client’s status as a victim of domestic violence. With a trial scheduled for mid-October, Client urgently needs representation in this unlawful detainer action to prevent the loss of their home. This is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact by protecting the rights of a survivor and her family.
Email Supervising Attorney Ryan Ueda
Fighting for a Safe Home: Retaliation & Breach of the Warranty of Habitability – PLC 24-0090241
Client, a dedicated 36-year-old mother, is living in a duplex with her 11-year-old daughter, where their health and safety are under constant threat. Despite repeated requests to Landlord, Client’s home is plagued by severe habitability issues, including electrical damage, infestations, water damage, and a severe case of mold. The mold is impacting both Client and her daughter's health. Even after code enforcement stepped in and issued multiple citations, Landlord responded with retaliation—an unlawful eviction attempt that Client successfully defeated. Now, Client and her daughter face a new eviction and have received rent increase notices as Landlord continues to ignore the needed repairs. Client is seeking a pro bono attorney to hold Landlord accountable for the dangerous conditions by obtaining repairs for the unit, as well as recover damages for the uninhabitable conditions they have experienced. If you're ready to stand up for a family in need, this is a case where you can make a real difference.
Email Directing Attorney Richard Walker
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Client Seeks Justice and Clarity: Suspected Forgery and Transfer of Home into a Trust
– PLC 24-0094392
Client lives with her mother in a home in which Client once owned as a joint tenant. Client believes her sister forged Client’s signature on deed documents, effectively transferring the home out of Client’s name. She believes her sister then placed the property into their mother’s trust, without authorization from either Client or their mother. Client has no information regarding the trust's beneficiaries. Client seeks a pro bono attorney to assist in obtaining more information about the trust, its beneficiaries, and to explore her legal options, including a possible quiet title action to reclaim her rightful ownership.
Email Staff Attorney Morgan Padgett
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Help Clear Client’s Name: Tax Identity Theft – PLC 24-0087745
Client, a 62-year-old monolingual Spanish speaker, is a victim of tax identity theft. From 2019 to 2023, someone used her social security number for employment, and the IRS has yet to audit these tax years. Client is seeking a pro bono attorney to help restore her piece of mind by clearing her name and preventing future identity theft.
Email Senior Staff Attorney Evan Phoenix
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Advocate for Environmental Justice: Legal Guidance Needed for Startup Nonprofit
– PLC 24-0094801
Client, a newly formed nonprofit is seeking pro bono legal counsel to challenge a commercial project currently in the approval process. The project raises serious environmental and health concerns in the surrounding communities. Client is looking for advice on how to legally challenge and/or voice their opposition to the project, while minimizing potential liability for the organization and its Board members. Your guidance will help Client navigate the complexities of advocacy while ensuring legal protection for their organization.
Email Supervising Attorney Brigid Joyce
Help Expand Nonprofit Mental Health Clinic: Assistance Forming For-Profit Subsidiary
– PLC 24-0093286
Client, an established nonprofit with a mission to providing free and reduced-cost mental health services in Orange County, is seeking a pro bono attorney to help form a for-profit subsidiary. The organization aims to expand its services by incorporating physical wellness and other holistic wellness offerings, allowing it to grow beyond its current mission. Your expertise can empower this nonprofit to extend its impact, bringing much-needed services to the community. This is a unique opportunity to assist a respected organization in broadening its scope while benefiting the public.
Email Supervising Attorney Brigid Joyce
Support a Breast Cancer Nonprofit: Change in IRS Status – PLC 24-0089472
Client is an established nonprofit committed to providing support and education to breast cancer patients, their families, and the community at large. Client provides optimism, knowledge, and support from diagnosis through survivorship, including navigation of the health care system for those currently battling or at risk of breast cancer. Client seeks a pro bono attorney to assist in converting its IRS status from a "private foundation" to a "public charity". Your assistance will help this vital nonprofit expand its reach and continue making a positive impact on those affected by breast cancer.
Email Supervising Attorney Brigid Joyce
Help a Nonprofit Supporting Local Families with Free Food Assistance: Compliance Review
– PLC 24-0089511
Client is an established nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide free food to low-income families. Client needs legal assistance from a pro bono attorney to review its current practices and ensure compliance with all government agencies and applicable laws, including employment law.
Email Supervising Attorney Brigid Joyce
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Seeking Justice for a Marine Corps Veteran: Discharge Upgrade Application – PLC 24-0092928
A U.S. Marine Corps veteran, who endured hazing during his service, is now seeking help to upgrade his discharge status. This veteran was separated under difficulties he experienced due to the hazing and hopes that an upgrade will allow him to access the VA education benefits he needs to rebuild his future. This is an opportunity to support a veteran who sacrificed for his country and now needs someone to fight for him. By assisting with this discharge upgrade, you can help open doors to the benefits and opportunities he deserves.
Email Supervising Attorney Ryan Ueda
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No cases available for placement as of today, but please email volunteer@publiclawcenter.org if you are interested in this case type, and we can reach out if a case comes in before the next case list. | |
No cases available for placement as of today, but please email volunteer@publiclawcenter.org if you are interested in this case type, and we can reach out if a case comes in before the next case list. | |
No cases available for placement as of today, but please email volunteer@publiclawcenter.org if you are interested in this case type, and we can reach out if a case comes in before the next case list. | |
No cases available for placement as of today, but please email volunteer@publiclawcenter.org if you are interested in this case type, and we can reach out if a case comes in before the next case list. | |
No cases available for placement as of today, but please email volunteer@publiclawcenter.org if you are interested in this case type, and we can reach out if a case comes in before the next case list. | |
No cases available for placement as of today, but please email volunteer@publiclawcenter.org if you are interested in this case type, and we can reach out if a case comes in before the next case list. | |
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SURVIVORS | |
No cases available for placement as of today, but please email volunteer@publiclawcenter.org if you are interested in this case type, and we can reach out if a case comes in before the next case list. | |
No cases available for placement as of today, but please email volunteer@publiclawcenter.org if you are interested in this case type, and we can reach out if a case comes in before the next case list. | |
No cases available for placement as of today, but please email volunteer@publiclawcenter.org if you are interested in this case type, and we can reach out if a case comes in before the next case list. | |
No cases available for placement as of today, but please email volunteer@publiclawcenter.org if you are interested in this case type, and we can reach out if a case comes in before the next case list. | |
No cases available for placement as of today, but please email volunteer@publiclawcenter.org if you are interested in this case type, and we can reach out if a case comes in before the next case list. | |
No cases available for placement as of today, but please email volunteer@publiclawcenter.org if you are interested in this case type, and we can reach out if a case comes in before the next case list. | |
No cases available for placement as of today, but please email volunteer@publiclawcenter.org if you are interested in this case type, and we can reach out if a case comes in before the next case list. | |
ReENTRY/CONVICTION RELIEF | No cases available for placement as of today, but please email volunteer@publiclawcenter.org if you are interested in this case type, and we can reach out if a case comes in before the next case list. | | | | |
