Greetings Monica,
I am excited to send out our first case list of 2023. This year has brought us many new clients in need of assistance from unlawful rent increase, to elder financial abuse, to probate. In addition, we have a number of unlawful detainer cases and family law cases that did not make the list, but are still in need of pro bono assistance. Please reach out to me if you would like more information on these cases – or any other type of case you may not see on the list.
All of us here at the Public Law Center would not be able to help as many clients as we do if not for your time, compassion, and desire to help our clients. It is very much appreciated by us, and our clients!
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Sincerely,
Angela Mestre
Pro Bono Coordinator
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Limited Conservatorship, PLC 22-0072734, 23-0073650, 23-0073654
Client is a Spanish speaker who seeks to be a limited conservator over her three adult children, who have a developmental disability. The youngest of the three has more severe symptoms than the others, but they all require her assistance in some capacity. Client seeks a pro bono attorney so that she may obtain a limited conservatorship over all three adult children.
Email Staff Attorney Jean Bak
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DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SURVIVORS | |
FINANCIAL/INCOME PROTECTION | |
Car Lender Bait and Switch, PLC 22-0064441
Client is a single mother struggling to make a monthly car payment. When client bought the car, she explained to the sale representatives that her only income was from social security, and she could only afford to pay a limited monthly amount. Two representatives made assertions that she could return with a down payment and then be able to pay a lower monthly amount. However, when she returned at the agreed upon time with the down payment the representatives turned her away and locked her into a higher monthly payment. She has been able to keep the car with financial help from her ex-husband, but he has recently stopped helping her and she will likely lose the car. We sent the car dealership a Consumer Legal Right Act letter and did not receive a response. We are now in the midst of preparing a complaint to file at the Central Justice Center. Client’s goal is to be able to keep the car, pay the lower monthly amount, and not be required to pay the down payment as she no longer has the funds.
Email Staff Attorney Morgan Padgett
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
Collect/Repo/Def/Garnish, PLC 20E-1052794
Client has an open civil matter involving a debt collection case. Our client is looking for assistance with discovery and motion practice. It may be possible to request a dismissal for failure to prosecute as the case has been stagnant for some time.
Email Staff Attorney Morgan Padgett
Consumer/Finance, PLC 22-0065063
Client has an open civil case and was successful in vacating a default judgment with the help of PLC. Now he is looking for assistance in fighting the underlying matter involving a defective air conditioning unit. No discovery has been exchanged.
Email Staff Attorney Morgan Padgett
Contract/Contractor, PLC 22-0071579
Clients, father and daughter, seek pro bono representation regarding a contract they entered into with Contractor to have father’s kitchen remodeled. Contractor requested a $1,000 down payment, and continually requested additional funds, explaining to clients that if they decided to change contractors, the new contractor would not warrant the work. The Contractor left clients without power for days, requested that Clients purchase parts on Amazon, and never provided samples of materials Clients had requested. When Clients refused to pay an additional $10,000, the Contractor put the project on hold. Clients paid $17,000 in total. Clients' kitchen is completely gutted, and they are using a hot plate and make-shift kitchen under a tent in their backyard to prepare their meals. An estimate from a licensed contractor to fix the damage to the kitchen, electrical work, and plumbing is over twice the amount they had already paid Contractor.
Email Staff Attorney Morgan Padgett
Contract/Warranties, PLC 22-0066713
Client is the beneficiary of her son’s life insurance. The insurance company made a typo on the application and entered an incorrect date for his birthday. When client’s son passed, she expected to receive the full amount the life insurance company promised her but instead received a lower amount. Our client would like to file a suit against the life insurance company to receive the full amount she believed she would receive.
Email Staff Attorney Morgan Padgett
Elder Financial Abuse, PLC 22-0066171
A social security scammer targeted our older adult client resulting in $125,000 lost. The adverse party came to client’s door representing himself as someone from the social security office who was going to help her apply for benefits. He then forged several checks and moved her money into various accounts that she no longer as access to. Client seeks assistance in regaining access to these funds and if necessary, filing suit against the adverse party who holds himself out as a licensed insurance representative.
Email Staff Attorney Morgan Padgett
Nonprofit (Housing) – Contract Dispute, PLC 23-0073687
Client is an existing nonprofit organization whose mission is to positively impact underserved communities by providing programs that empower development, healing, and innovation of community members and help build generation wealth through Homeownership. Client seeks legal advice and guidance with determining its contractual rights under a sub-contract from another nonprofit organization. Client also seeks potential assistance with drafting a demand letter for past-due invoices if appropriate.
Email Directing Attorney Sarah Efthymiou
Probate, PLC 23-001
Client is 75 years old and receives Social Security. Her son, a homeowner died intestate. Her son did not have a spouse or any children, but had 6 surviving siblings. There was no will or trust, though Client acknowledges her son verbally “gave” his house to one of his siblings, though all agree it goes to Client. Client seeks a pro bono attorney to assist in the probate process.
Email Staff Attorney Violeta Schultz
Probate, PLC 23-0073793
Client’s mother passed away at the end of January 2023. Client’s mother had a reverse mortgage on her home with no other borrowers on title. Although client’s mother had began an estate plan, she passed before it was completed, thus dying intestate. Client’s goal is to remain in the home and take out her own reverse mortgage on the property. Client secured a 6-month extension on payment of her mother’s reverse mortgage, however the probate process will take longer. Client would like representation in the probate as well as seeking more time with the reverse mortgage lender in order to obtain her own reverse mortgage. Client does not have any siblings but does have children.
Email Staff Attorney Morgan Padgett
Student Financial Aid, PLC 17E-1038675
The school from which client borrowed loans has apparently gone bankrupt and the loans should have been discharged. Our client would like to understand where she stands on her loans and what, if anything she needs to do moving forward.
Email Staff Attorney Morgan Padgett
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Contract/Property Dispute, PLC 21E-1053819
Client is in her 50s. Client owned her home in joint tenancy. While client was recovering from surgery, the joint tenant transferred their own interest in the property to the adverse party. Over the time period that client and adverse party owned the home, the adverse party did not contribute to the maintenance of the home and upon sale of the home, the adverse party did not pay client her proper interest. Client would like assistance recovering these funds.
Email Staff Attorney Morgan Padgett
Elder Financial Abuse, PLC 22-0066171
A social security scammer targeted our older adult client resulting in $125,000 lost. The adverse party came to client’s door representing himself as someone from the social security office who was going to help her apply for benefits. He then forged several checks and moved her money into various accounts that she no longer as access to. Client seeks assistance in regaining access to these funds and if necessary, filing suit against the adverse party who holds himself out as a licensed insurance representative.
Email Staff Attorney Morgan Padgett
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.
Email Staff Attorney Morgan Padgett
Mobilehome, PLC 23-0073041
Applicant in her 40s is a mobilehome owner and lives in a resident-owned Mobilehome Park (“the Park”). Due to rain and an unstable slope adjacent to the mobilehome, the mobilehome has been damaged internally and externally. The Park has not installed a retaining wall to prevent any further damage to the mobilehome, and the applicant currently cannot live at the mobilehome due to it being yellow-tagged by the City. The Park has already begun making settlement offer to the applicant, so the applicant would like to get legal representation as soon as possible since the Park is represented. Applicant would also need the Park to install a retaining wall and to pay for the damages caused to her mobilehome or completely replace her mobilehome.
Email Supervising Attorney Richard Walker
Mobilehome – Easement and Reasonable Accommodation, PLC 22-0064270
Client is in his 80s with multiple disabilities, including mobility issues, and lives in a resident-owned mobilehome park (MHP). Client would like to bring an action against the MHP for blocking off a walkway that he and other residents (also with disabilities) had been using for more than 40 years to access their parking spaces from their mobilehomes. Client (as well as the other disabled residents) now has to walk a much greater distance with inadequate sidewalks, poor lighting, speedbumps, and occasional flooding, in order to access his parking spaces and other common facilities in the mobilehome park. Client would like the walkways restored to their original conditions.
Email Supervising Attorney Richard Walker
Mobilehome – Housing Choice Voucher/OCHA, PLC 22-0068181
Client in his 70s and a recipient of a Housing Choice Voucher. Client suffered financial damages due to Housing Authority’s mishandling of his Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) contract for months. For those months, he had to borrow from relatives in order to pay rent on time and to stay housed since he is retired and is on a fixed income. Client has filed a complaint for damages against the Housing Authority. He is now seeking legal representation to resolve this issue.
Email Supervising Attorney Richard Walker
Mobilehome – Solar Panel Installation, PLC 22-0069223
Client in his 70s was forced by the mobilehome park owner (the Park) to remove his solar panels from his roof. Prior to installation, client was verbally told by the salesperson that they had approval from the Park to install the solar panels. Client signed a lease for the solar panels, which have since been removed since the Park served him a 14-Day Notice to have his mobilehome in “compliance”. Client has approval from HCD for the installation of the solar panels, which will expire if he does not obtain approval from the Park to reinstall the panels. Client would like to know his rights to installing the solar panels and assistance in getting the mobilehome park to approve the installation.
Email Supervising Attorney Richard Walker
Mobilehome Resident Advocacy, PLC 22-00
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
Email Supervising Attorney Richard Walker
Probate, PLC 23-001
Client is 75 years old and receives Social Security. Her son, a homeowner died intestate. Her son did not have a spouse or any children, but had 6 surviving siblings. There was no will or trust, though Client acknowledges her son verbally “gave” his house to one of his siblings, though all agree it goes to Client. Client seeks a pro bono attorney to assist in the probate process.
Email Staff Attorney Violeta Schultz
Real Property Fraud, PLC 22-0070191
Client is in his 70s. Client and adverse party owned a residential real estate parcel together. While Client was out of the country years ago, he was told by adverse party that the property had been lost to foreclosure. Client recently discovered that instead of a foreclosure, adverse party had executed a fraudulent quitclaim deed which transferred Client’s interest in the property to adverse party. Client would like assistance to be compensated for the fraudulent transfer.
Email Supervising Attorney Ryan Ueda
Unlawful Rent Increase, PLC 22-0071767
Client is elderly and lives on a fixed income. Client has a Housing Choice Voucher and lives in a unit subsidized by Low Income Housing Tax Credits. Due to client having a Housing Choice Voucher and living in a LIHTC property, his landlord justified increasing the rent nearly 30%, which exceeds the amount permitted under the Tenant Protection Act of 2019. Because of client’s fixed income and the nature of his housing situation, these increases have put a major financial strain on the client and have increased his risk of eviction. Client is seeking assistance addressing the illegal increases. This case offers the opportunity to explore an unresolved area in the law, potentially extending the rights of the Tenant Protection Act to a group of Californians who have been otherwise left out.
Email Supervising Attorney Richard Walker
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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.
Email Staff Attorney Diamond Tran
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
Divorce, PLC 22-0069572
Client is in her early 60s and unable to work due to a physical disability. She is seeking assistance in finalizing her divorce and obtaining spousal support after a long-term marriage, in which the adverse party committed domestic violence against her. There are no minor children. The main community asset is a military pension, so client seeks an attorney familiar with military divorces.
Email Supervising Attorney Joanna Wong
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LITIGATION — FEDERAL COURT |
Prisoner Civil Rights Claim, PLC 23-002
Client/Plaintiff, incarcerated in federal prison, was denied access to healthcare and follow-up medical services, leading to prolonged hospitalization. Client is also continually moved from facility-to-facility, regardless of his legal case, leading to his repeated failure to meet Court deadlines. Case status “Amending Complaint”, otherwise case dismissed without prejudice. Seeking a pro bono attorney to assist with his civil rights claim.
Email Staff Attorney Tuzuk Koul
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LITIGATION — PRESERVATION OF HOUSING | |
Contract/Property Dispute, PLC 21E-1053819
Client is in her 50s. Client owned her home in joint tenancy. While client was recovering from surgery, the joint tenant transferred their own interest in the property to the adverse party. Over the time that client and adverse party owned the home, the adverse party did not contribute to the maintenance of the home and upon sale of the home, the adverse party did not pay client her appropriate interest. Client would like assistance recovering these funds.
Email Staff Attorney Morgan Padgett
Habitability, PLC 22-0071703
Clients are monolingual Spanish speakers with 3 minor children. They have lived in the unit for almost 20 years. Recently they have been served with a 60-day notice to vacate expiring the end of December stating the landlord’s daughter is planning to reside in the unit. There are multiple habitability issues with the apartment including no working heater, plumbing issues, bug infestation resulting in bites to the inhabitants, mold, holes in the wall, and holes in the carpet. The Clients have complained to the landlord numerous times over the phone, in person, and over text message. Clients are seeking possible compensation for a portion of past rent paid for the landlord’s failure to provide habitable premises.
Email Supervising Attorney Richard Walker
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
Landlord/Tenant, PLC 22-0071352
Clients are monolingual Spanish speakers with 4 kids. Their apartment, as well as 3 other apartments, were burned down. Cause of the fire is unknown. Approximately 2 months prior to the fire, the property was sold to new owners who then gave eviction notices to our clients and the 3 other tenants. According to clients, the new property owners stated the reason for the evictions was for renovations of the apartments. After the fire occurred, our clients have been living in a hotel as they did not have any kind of renters insurance or receive any type of assistance from the new property owners. Clients were informed by the new property owners the most they can do is return rent for the days they did not live at the property due to the fire but have not received any money yet. Clients would like assistance in determining if there is anything that the property owners can be held accountable for.
Email Supervising Attorney Richard Walker
Mobilehome – Easement and Reasonable Accommodation, PLC 22-0064270
Client is in his 80s with multiple disabilities, including mobility issues, and lives in a resident-owned mobilehome park (MHP). Client would like to bring an action against the MHP for blocking off a walkway that he and other residents (also with disabilities) had been using for more than 40 years to access their parking spaces from their mobilehomes. Client (as well as the other disabled residents) now has to walk a much greater distance with inadequate sidewalks, poor lighting, speedbumps, and occasional flooding, in order to access his parking spaces and other common facilities in the mobilehome park. Client would like the walkways restored to their original conditions.
Email Supervising Attorney Richard Walker
Mobilehome – Housing Choice Voucher/OCHA, PLC 22-0068181
Client in his 70s and a recipient of a Housing Choice Voucher. Client suffered financial damages due to Housing Authority’s mishandling of his Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) contract for months. For those months, he had to borrow from relatives in order to pay rent on time and to stay housed since he is retired and is on a fixed income. Client has filed a complaint for damages against the Housing Authority. He is now seeking legal representation to resolve this issue.
Email Supervising Attorney Richard Walker
Mobilehome – Solar Panel Installation, PLC 22-0069223
Client in his 70s was forced by the mobilehome park owner (the Park) to remove his solar panels from his roof. Prior to installation, client was verbally told by the salesperson that they had approval from the Park to install the solar panels. Client signed a lease for the solar panels, which have since been removed since the Park served him a 14-Day Notice to have his mobilehome in “compliance”. Client has approval from HCD for the installation of the solar panels, which will expire if he does not obtain approval from the Park to reinstall the panels. Client would like to know his rights to installing the solar panels and assistance in getting the mobilehome park to approve the installation.
Email Supervising Attorney Richard Walker
Mobilehome Resident Advocacy, PLC 22-00
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.
Email Supervising Attorney Richard Walker
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.
Email Supervising Attorney Suzanne Iazetta
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.
Email Supervising Attorney Suzanne Iazetta
Unlawful Rent Increase, PLC 22-0071767
Client is elderly and lives on a fixed income. Client has a Housing Choice Voucher and lives in a unit subsidized by Low Income Housing Tax Credits. Due to client having a Housing Choice Voucher and living in a LIHTC property, his landlord justified increasing the rent nearly 30%, which exceeds the amount permitted under the Tenant Protection Act of 2019. Because of client’s fixed income and the nature of his housing situation, these increases have put a major financial strain on the client and have increased his risk of eviction. Client is seeking assistance addressing the illegal increases. This case offers the opportunity to explore an unresolved area in the law, potentially extending the rights of the Tenant Protection Act to a group of Californians who have been otherwise left out.
Email Supervising Attorney Richard Walker
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ReENTRY/CONVICTION RELIEF | |
Nonprofit (Education) – Trademark, PLC 23-0073927
Client is an existing nonprofit organization whose mission is to preserve, promote and celebrate Mexican American Heritage and culture of Orange County, through education and the arts. Client seeks intellectual property counseling and assistance with registering the nonprofit’s name and logo.
Email Directing Attorney Sarah Efthymiou
Nonprofit (Housing) – Contract Dispute, PLC 23-0073687
Client is an existing nonprofit organization whose mission is to positively impact underserved communities by providing programs that empower development, healing, and innovation of community members and help build generation wealth through Homeownership. Client seeks legal advice and guidance with determining its contractual rights under a sub-contract from another nonprofit organization. Client also seeks potential assistance with drafting a demand letter for past-due invoices if appropriate.
Email Directing Attorney Sarah Efthymiou
Nonprofit (Safety) – Document Drafting, PLC 23-0073930
Client is an existing nonprofit organization whose mission is to support water safety and education. Client seeks legal assistance with drafting a scholarship application for low-income youth who participate in their sponsored programs.
Email Directing Attorney Sarah Efthymiou
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DMV Hearings, PLC 238181-004
Client, an older adult veteran, was pulled over by a police officer. Officer filled out a DMV form requesting a re-examination of the driver based on the driver “nearly collid[ing] with a motorcycle” and being observed as “confused, disoriented, incoherent, or unaware of actions.” Client says it was the motorcycle that swerved into his lane. A PLC Attorney spoke with Client, and during their conversations, Client seemed coherent. It is expected the DMV will schedule the applicant for a re-examination to determine whether to allow him to continue driving or revoke the driver’s license. Client is looking for assistance for both the re-examination hearing and the administrative hearing if the DMV decides to revoke the license.
Email Supervising Attorney Ryan Ueda
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