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As we enter November, I would like to take a moment to thank you for being part of the PLC’s pro bono community. We’re especially grateful to everyone who supported our Halloween Bash, hosted by the PLC Advocates and the OC Lavender Bar Association. With over 200 costume-clad guests, the event raised more than $56,000 for PLC!
We also celebrated Pro Bono Week from October 20–26, recognizing the impact of volunteer attorneys and the importance of pro bono work. If you haven’t had a chance to take on a pro bono case yet this year, now is a perfect time. For a little inspiration, check out this video highlighting why attorneys like you choose to partner with PLC.
In this month’s case list, you’ll find a range of opportunities where your expertise can make a meaningful impact—from advocating for disability rights to securing housing stability and supporting immigrant survivors of violence. Each client’s story represents a chance to bring about real change, and I hope you’ll consider taking on one of these rewarding cases.
Thank you again for your dedication to justice and our community.
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Sincerely,
Angela Mestre
Pro Bono Coordinator
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Client Unjustly Pressured Out of Home: Disability Discrimination and Breach of Contract –
PLC 24-0093859
Client, an individual with disabilities, signed a lease in May 2024, excited to settle into her new home. But upon paying a security deposit and moving into the unit in August 2024, Client was met with major accessibility barriers: no wheelchair ramps at her unit’s entry or around the building, making it nearly impossible for her to navigate safely. After multiple pleas to management, ramps were installed. However, the ramps were not done correctly which resulted in damage to Client’s wheelchair. Rather than address the issues, management gave Client an ultimatum: if she was not pleased, she could break her lease. Feeling there were no other options, Client moved out in September 2024. Client now faces a lease break fee and has lost her security deposit. Client is seeking a pro bono attorney to help her recover her security deposit and address the discrimination based on her protected class.
Email Directing Attorney Richard Walker
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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
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Client is Seeking Safety and Stability: U-Visa – PLC 24-0084946
Client, a 36-year-old single mother and DACA recipient, is seeking protection for herself and her young U.S. citizen child after enduring years of verbal and emotional abuse from her ex-partner and father of her minor child. Client has shown incredible strength in breaking free from the cycle of domestic violence and is now pursuing a U-Visa to secure safety and stability for her family. By taking on this case, you’ll be helping a brave mother protect her child and build a safer future. Client is a monolingual Spanish speaker and interpretation services are available to support communication, if needed.
Email Staff Attorney Allyssa Scheyer
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
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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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A Mobilehome Dream Turned Nightmare: Help a Client Fight for Her Home Title Issues –
PLC 24-0088369
Client, a hardworking monolingual Spanish-speaker, invested her entire life savings to purchase a mobilehome at an auction by Mobilehome Park in 2021. But her dream quickly unraveled. Recently, Client discovered that Mobilehome Park failed to obtain title to the mobile home before auctioning it and failed to transfer title to her after the sale. To make matters worse, there is an undisclosed lien from a former owner, along with years of unpaid taxes. She now faces title, lien, and tax issues and is seeking a pro bono attorney to help resolve these issues. This case presents a unique opportunity to help Client fight for the home she worked so hard to secure and bring some much-needed peace of mind.
Email Directing Attorney Richard Walker
A Homebound Legacy: Help Clear a 20-Year-Old Lien – PLC 24-0088736
Client is determined to secure his place on the title of his family’s mobilehome. Yet, his efforts have been stalled by a decades-old lien placed on the home nearly 20 years ago. The lienholder passed away in 2008, and despite Client’s best efforts, he has been unable to locate any heirs to resolve the matter. He’s now seeking a pro bono attorney to assist in removing the lien and finally adding Client’s name to the title. This case offers the chance to make a difference by helping Client ensure a home that’s rightfully his.
Email Directing Attorney Richard Walker
Client Unjustly Pressured Out of Home: Disability Discrimination and Breach of Contract –
PLC 24-0093859
Client, an individual with disabilities, signed a lease in May 2024, excited to settle into her new home. But upon paying a security deposit and moving into the unit in August 2024, Client was met with major accessibility barriers: no wheelchair ramps at her unit’s entry or around the building, making it nearly impossible for her to navigate safely. After multiple pleas to management, ramps were installed. However, the ramps were not done correctly which resulted in damage to Client’s wheelchair. Rather than address the issues, management gave Client an ultimatum: if she was not pleased, she could break her lease. Feeling there were no other options, Client moved out in September 2024. Client now faces a lease break fee and has lost her security deposit. Client is seeking a pro bono attorney to help her recover her security deposit and address the discrimination based on her protected class.
Email Directing Attorney Richard Walker
Clearing Title for a Fresh Start: Lien on Mobilehome – PLC 24-0095956
Client purchased a mobilehome in 2018, only to discover that the title was never transferred from the previous owner into Client’s name. In fact, the title still lists the original owners—who are now unreachable—and carries a lien recorded over 30 years ago. This long-standing paperwork issue has left Client without clear ownership, limiting his rights and peace of mind. Client is now seeking a pro bono attorney to remove the lien and finally secure the title in his name.This case offers a chance to help Client achieve true ownership of his home.
Email Directing Attorney Richard Walker
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
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 pretrial motion pending and a hearing date in late September, Client urgently needs representation in this unlawful detainer action to prevent the loss of their home. No trial date has been set yet. This is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact by protecting the rights of a survivor and her family.
Email Supervising Attorney Ryan Ueda
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Help Client Seek 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 was an owner of the home 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. Now, 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 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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Help a Veteran Start a Health-Related Nonprofit – PLC 24-0096899
Client, a passionate Veteran, has a mission: to educate communities—including local restaurants and their patrons—about the life-changing benefits of eating whole, unrefined foods. With deep conviction, Client believes that the food choices today, and for the past 70 years, have led to preventable health issues and increased morbidity and Client is ready to make a difference. He is now seeking a pro bono attorney to help him incorporate in California and obtain tax-exempt status with the IRS. This is a unique chance to support a Veteran’s vision for healthier communities while helping future generations learn more about food quality and health.
Email Supervising Attorney Brigid Joyce
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
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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Help a Veteran Start a Health-Related Nonprofit – PLC 24-0096899
Client, a passionate Veteran, has a mission: to educate communities—including local restaurants and their patrons—about the life-changing benefits of eating whole, unrefined foods. With deep conviction, Client believes that the food choices today, and for the past 70 years, have led to preventable health issues and increased morbidity and Client is ready to make a difference. He is now seeking a pro bono attorney to help him incorporate in California and obtain tax-exempt status with the IRS. This is a unique chance to support a Veteran’s vision for healthier communities while helping future generations learn more about food quality and health.
Email Supervising Attorney Brigid Joyce
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. | |
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. | | | | |
