New Pro Bono Opportunities from PLC

Immigration/U-Visa, PLC 22-0064525

Client is a victim of domestic violence at the hand of her ex-partner. Client reported the abuse and received a Domestic Violence Restraining Order. Client is currently seeking assistance in applying for a U-Visa for herself.

*Client is monolingual Spanish speaker.*

Email Senior Staff Attorney Josie Roberto

Immigration/U-Visa, PLC 21-0062701

Client is a survivor of domestic violence and single mother of three U.S. citizen children. For several years, she suffered physical and emotional abuse at the hands of her ex-partner. As a result, she was granted a Domestic Violence Restraining Order. She now seeks to apply for a U-Visa.

*Client is a monolingual Spanish speaker.*

FEDERAL INCOME TAX

No cases at this time.

FINANCIAL/INCOME PROTECTION

Civil Judgment Collection, PLC 21-1054211

Client is a woman in her 60s. Client has an Orange County divorce judgement containing an order for opposing party to reimburse her for “marital waste” in the amount of $105,000. Opposing party has not made any payments towards that amount. Opposing party currently lives outside of the United States but is believed to have bank accounts in the United States. Client seeks a pro bono attorney to assist with recovering from opposing party.

Email Staff Attorney Diamond Tran

HUMAN TRAFFICKING

Immigration/T Visa (Survivor of Trafficking), PLC 22-0067084

Client was the victim of involuntary servitude by her husband during approximately 20 years of marriage. He appropriated her wages from the beginning of their marriage and treated her as a domestic slave during their relationship. She was able to escape from him less than 2 years ago. She now seeks assistance in applying for a T Visa as a victim of trafficking.

*Client is a monolingual Spanish speaker.*

Email Directing Attorney Monica Glicken

IMMIGRATION

Immigration/T Visa (Survivor of Trafficking), PLC 22-0067084

*Client is a monolingual Spanish speaker.*

Email Directing Attorney Monica Glicken

Immigration/U-Visa, PLC 21-0063162

*Client is an English speaker.*

Immigration/U-Visa, PLC 22-0064525

*Client is monolingual Spanish speaker.*

Email Senior Staff Attorney Josie Roberto

Immigration/U-Visa, PLC 21-0062701

*Client is a monolingual Spanish speaker.*

Immigration/U-Visa, PLC 21-0061938

Client is a 41-year-old mother of four U.S. citizen children. She seeks assistance in filing for a U-Visa based on domestic violence she suffered at the hands of her ex-partner for several years. Client was granted a three-year restraining order against her abuser due to the domestic violence she suffered.

*Client is a monolingual Spanish speaker.*

Email Senior Staff Attorney Josie Roberto

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

No cases at this time.

JUSTICE FOR OLDER ADULTS

Elder Financial Abuse, PLC 21E-1054246

Client is in his 70s. During an emotionally stressful time for client, a family member took advantage of Client, resulting in the sale of Client’s home, and a loss of thousands of dollars. The family member has refused to make Client whole, which has impacted Client’s ability to support himself. Client seeks assistance in recovering these funds and protecting himself from future financial abuse by this individual.

Elder Financial Abuse, PLC 21E-1054338

Client is in her 70s. Client was approached at her home by a door-to-door salesperson to buy and install an alarm system. The salesperson pressured Client to pay for this system, despite her belief that it was unnecessary. Client was able to cancel the contract, and alarm system was never installed. However, the salesperson has refused to return funds Client paid up front. Client would like assistance recovering these funds.

Estate Planning, Wills and Trusts, PLC 22-0068039

Client is in her 60s. After Client’s spouse passed away a couple of years ago, their house was placed solely in client’s name since the spouses held title as joint tenants. Client would like to create a living trust and place the house in it for the benefit of her adult children.

Email Supervising Attorney Richard Walker

Mobilehome Resident Advocacy, PLC 22-0066121

Clients are a group of mobilehome residents who are seeking assistance negotiating with their mobilehome park regarding rent increases. They have been in communication with their city government and they believe it is in their best interest to have representation for an upcoming, but to-be-scheduled mediation. If the rent increases go forward, many of the residents of the senior mobilehome park will be displaced.

Predatory Lending/PACE Home Improvements, PLC 19E-1047995

Client is in her 60’s and speaks Spanish. Client was solicited for so-called energy efficient home improvements by a door-to-door salesperson. Client considered the improvements, but never actually signed a contract. Without client’s understanding, the contractor financed home improvements through a tax assessment on client’s property. The contractor never started work on the project, and client was shocked to learn what happened when she received her next property tax statement. Client is seeking assistance recovering the money she paid to remove the tax assessment so she can pay back the countless friends and family who helped her raise that money.

Email Staff Attorney Diamond Tran

LITIGATION — DEBT

No cases at this time.

LITIGATION — FAMILY LAW

Civil Judgment Collection, PLC 21-1054211

Client is a woman in her 60s. Client has an Orange County divorce judgment containing an order for opposing party to reimburse her for “marital waste” in the amount of $105,000. Opposing party has not made any payments towards that amount. Opposing party currently lives outside of the United States but is believed to have bank accounts in the United States. Client seeks a pro bono attorney to assist with recovering from opposing party.

Dissolution, PLC 21-1054305

Client is a Vietnamese male in his 70s in divorce proceedings. The opposing party claims that Client has a retirement account and is requesting those funds be divided, but Respondent states that the retirement funds were depleted during their lengthy marriage. Opposing party is represented. Client seeks a pro bono attorney for representation in settlement negotiations or trial.

*Client speaks limited English, but has an interpreter who can assist.*

Email Staff Attorney Diamond Tran

LITIGATION — FEDERAL COURT

No cases at this time.

LITIGATION — PRESERVATION OF HOUSING

Habitability Impact Case, PLC 22-006

A group of tenants has reached out to PLC because of serious habitability concerns in their building. The local housing authority is familiar with the issues and the building has not been able to pass a habitability inspection. The clients would like to pursue litigation to ensure the landlord is providing them safe, habitable units.

Email Supervising Attorney Richard Walker

Mobilehome Resident Advocacy, PLC 22-0066121

Email Supervising Attorney Richard Walker

Predatory Lending/PACE Home Improvements, PLC 18E-1042051

Clients are a married couple who own their home. They took on predatory financing for energy efficient home improvements. With assistance, Clients filed a lawsuit against various defendants responsible for causing the harm. One of the defendants is still active and a trial has been set for the fall. PLC is seeking co-counsel to prepare the case for trial.

Predatory Lending/PACE Home Improvements, PLC 21E-1053491

Client is a monolingual Spanish speaker in her late 40s. Client obtained Property-Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing for work that was never completed on her home. All discussions related to the home "improvements" were in Spanish, and all documents related to the home "improvements" she signed were in English. As a result of the PACE assessment, Client's property taxes have increased by over $10,000 a year, an amount she is unable to pay. Client fears losing her home. Client would like assistance rescinding the contract and removing the tax assessment from her property.

Predatory Lending/PACE Home Improvements, PLC 20-1051904

Client is a monolingual Spanish speaker in her early 50s. Client obtained Property-Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing for work that was never completed on her home. All discussions related to the home "improvements" were in Spanish, and all documents related to the home "improvements" she signed were in English. As a result of the PACE assessment, Client's property taxes have increased by over $4,000 a year, an amount she is unable to pay. Client fears losing her home. Client would like assistance rescinding the contract and removing the tax assessment from her property.

Predatory Lending/PACE Home Improvements, PLC 19E-1047995

Client is in her 60s and speaks Spanish. Client was solicited for so-called energy efficient home improvements by a door-to-door salesperson. Client considered the improvements, but never actually signed a contract. Without client’s understanding, the contractor financed home improvements through a tax assessment on client’s property. The contractor never started work on the project, and client was shocked to learn what happened when she received her next property tax statement. Client is seeking assistance recovering the money she paid to remove the tax assessment so she can pay back the countless friends and family who helped her raise that money.

Email Supervising Attorney Manohar Sukumar

LITIGATION — PROBATE

Limited Conservatorship, PLC 21-0060799

Client is a mother in her early 50s who seeks to petition to be appointed as a limited conservator of her daughter who is diagnosed with a developmental and intellectual disability. Mother is unemployed and collaborates with her entire family to support the daily living activities of her daughter. Daughter has an individualized program plan for life services.

*Client speaks Spanish.*

Probate Litigation, PLC 22-0064436

Client held a joint account with her friend. Her friend recently passed away, and the balance in the joint account, including funds that were Client’s, were seized. Client seeks assistance with recovering her money from the joint account before her friend’s estate is distributed. PLC would be willing to co-counsel if a volunteer could provide mentorship and expertise.