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Greetings Leigh,

I’m Angela Mestre, PLC’s Pro Bono Coordinator.​ ​I’ve been involved with PLC since I was a law student, became a pro bono attorney through this very case list, and volunteered at the Bankruptcy clinic for years – which is where I first met Leigh Ferrin. This year I had the pleasure of working alongside her and, with her departure last month, I am honored to be taking over this case list from her. 

Although the holidays are approaching and many of us take time off to enjoy them with friends and family, the legal needs of our clients continue.​ ​Along with those on our case list, we have a number of clients that are in need of assistance but for various reasons their cases do not make it onto this list.​ ​If you’d like to take a case from us but don’t see one that interests you, please feel free to reach out to me directly.​ ​Together we can work on finding the right opportunity for you.

I look forward to getting to know you and have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday!

Sincerely,

Angela Mestre

Pro Bono Coordinator

ADVOCACY FOR CHILDREN

No cases at this time.

DISABILITY RIGHTS

No cases at this time.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SURVIVORS

Restraining Order with Deposition PLC 22-0070111

Client filed a Domestic Violence Restraining Order request against their spouse. Client experienced verbal, physical, and sexual abuse. Client was forced to flee their home for their safety. Spouse has legal representation. Spouse was also diagnosed with a neurological disorder with dementia symptoms. Client would benefit from having their own legal representation at the hearing. Further, Client was served with a deposition notice and a demand for production of documents. The deposition is to take place on November 7th. The restraining order hearing is in the process of getting rescheduled for a date after November 7th.

Email Supervising Attorney Joanna Wong

FEDERAL INCOME TAX

No cases at this time.

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

Civil Trafficking Lawsuit, PLC 22-0064255

Client is a survivor of labor trafficking, by an acquaintance who promised client an education and a job. Client was forced to work for the trafficker, and eventually was sexually abused by the trafficker. Client was able to escape and is connected to local services, but would like to pursue a civil action against the trafficker.

Email Staff Attorney Precious Odum

IMMIGRATION

Immigration/U-Visa,​ PLC​ 22-0069039

Client was the victim of domestic violence by her then-partner in their home in Orange, California. The abuser actually attempted to call the police on the client, but when the police arrived, they observed client’s visible injuries, took her statement, then arrested the abuser. The abuser was convicted of corporal injury against a domestic partner. Client is seeking assistance with an application for a U​-​Visa; she would be the only applicant. She has no criminal record. She is a monolingual Spanish speaker.

Email Directing Attorney Monica Glicken

Immigration/U-Visa,​ PLC​ 22-0069137

Client was the victim of robbery and kidnap in 2003 and has a copy of the police report. Client has been living in the US for 37 years. Client has no criminal convictions, no removal orders, and is not in removal proceedings. Client is seeking assistance with an application for a U-visa.

Email Staff Attorney Maria Mañon Winger

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

No cases at this time.

JUSTICE FOR OLDER ADULTS

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 ​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.

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

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 Staff Attorney Morgan Padgett

Estate Planning, Wills and Trusts, PLC 22-0068122

Client is in her 70s. Client would like assistance understanding why stocks in her husband’s name were not transferred to her upon his death. If possible, client would like assistance in transferring them into her name.

Email Staff Attorney Morgan Padgett

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 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 Supervising Attorney Suzanne Iazetta

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

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 – 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 22-0066121

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.

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

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 Suzanne Iazetta

Writ and Stay of Eviction, PLC 21-0062275

Client is a veteran, is living with multiple disabilities, and is a recipient of a housing voucher who is at risk of being displaced. The housing authority is threatening to terminate his voucher based on misunderstandings and miscommunications. Client believes that the housing authority’s determination is incorrect and would like assistance challenging that decision. PLC would like to co​-​counsel the case.

Email Supervising Attorney Ryan Ueda

Nonprofit (Religious) – Trademark, PLC 22-0071143

Client is an existing nonprofit religious organization. Client seeks legal advice and counsel with registering for trademark protection of its name and logo.

Email Directing Attorney Sarah Efthymiou

Nonprofit (Special Education) – Review of Governance Documents, PLC 22-0072019

Client is an existing nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide education and support for disabled individuals. Client seeks legal assistance with reviewing their bylaws and corporate minutes.

Email Directing Attorney Sarah Efthymiou