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January 18, 2022

Greetings {First Name},


Happy New Year! I hope everyone has started the new year off well, and as health as is possible.


I think I’ve talked about this before, new years resolutions are not my thing, and especially not this year. There are too many opportunities to throw us off track. However, short-term goals are absolutely doable — for instance, taking on a PLC pro bono case, or volunteering a few hours at a clinic!


A number of you have asked me about volunteering with our unlawful detainer clinic. We are going to start recruiting for the clinic, which is virtual, in February. Practising Law Institute has an upcoming training that we recommend, which will provide you with the basic information, plus CLE credit! The clinics are being held Thursday mornings. If you have a couple of hours that you can dedicate to help a low-income tenant remain housed, let me know and I’ll provide you with what you need to get registered. We look forward to ensuring even more clients have access to safe, healthy, and secure housing in 2022.

 

PRACTICE AREAS
ADVOCACY FOR CHILDREN

No cases at this time.

APPEALS

No cases at this time.

DISABILITY RIGHTS

Recovering Illegally Charged Fees, PLC 21-1054061

Client resides in a mobilehome park in Orange County. She requested a reasonable accommodation from the mobilehome park. The client is agreeing to move out and is selling her mobilehome, however the park is charging her attorneys fees for her reasonable accommodation request, in violation of California law. Client seeks assistance recovering the fees illegally charged by the park.

Email Senior Staff Attorney Richard Walker

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SURVIVORS

Divorce, Spousal Support, PLC 21-0062557

Client is a 60-year-old survivor of domestic violence on chemotherapy. She is seeking assistance with a Determination on Spousal Support Arrears because adverse party has not paid court-ordered support for almost 18 months.

​Email ​Supervising Attorney Joanna Wong


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


Immigration​​/U-Visa, PLC 21-0060630

Client was a victim of domestic violence and she provided information about the crime to law enforcement. Client is Spanish speaking and the sole applicant.

Email Directing Attorney Monica Glicken

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


Debt Collection Defense (Third Party Debt Buyer Plaintiff), ​PLC ​21E-1054092

Client is a bilingual speaker (English/Spanish) in her 60s. Client is defending herself in a debt collection case initiated by a debt buyer. Client disputes the debt and this debt buyer has a history of lacking proper documentation to prove its claims. Client filed a response and answered discovery in pro per. Client seeks assistance defending this lawsuit to relieve her emotional stress and to protect her income. Trial has not been set.

Email Staff Attorney Morgan Padgett

HUMAN TRAFFICKING

No cases at this time.

IMMIGRATION

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


Immigration/U-Visa, PLC 21-0060630

Client was a victim of domestic violence and she provided information about the crime to law enforcement. Client is Spanish speaking and the sole applicant.

Email Directing Attorney Monica Glicken


Immigration/U-Visa, PLC 21-0061339

Client was a victim of attempted rape and she provided information about the crime to law enforcement. Case is currently being investigated and prosecuted in Los Angeles County. Client is in her 30s and is English speaker. Client is a sole applicant

Email Directing Attorney Monica Glicken 


Immigration/U-Visa, PLC 21E-1054508

Client was a victim of domestic violence from her previous partner and she provided information about the crime to law enforcement. Client’s former partner was prosecuted for this offense. Client is 40 years old and is monolingual Spanish speaker. Client is the sole applicant.

Email Directing Attorney Monica Glicken


Immigration/U-​V​isa, PLC 21E-1054011

Client is a survivor of severe domestic violence by her ex-partner. She provided a statement to law enforcement and has a domestic violence restraining order against her ex-partner. Client is seeking assistance with filing for a U-visa as a victim of this crime. She is a monolingual Spanish speaker.

Email Directing Attorney Monica Glicken

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

Nonprofit (Business Incubation) - Trademark, PLC 21-0062093

Client is an existing 501(c)(3) nonprofit whose mission is to provide education and incubation for low income entrepreneurs. Client seeks legal advice and counsel with obtaining Trademark protection of the organization's name and logo.

Email Directing Attorney Sarah Efthymiou


Nonprofit (Personal Safety) - Trademark Search, PLC 21-00063902

Client is an existing 501(c)(3) nonprofit whose mission is to educate and empower individuals in personal safety and survivor recovery. Client is creating a new community program and seeks legal assistance with ensuring the proposed program name is available for use.

Email Directing Attorney Sarah Efthymiou

JUSTICE FOR OLDER ADULTS

Debt Collection Defense (Third Party Debt Buyer Plaintiff), ​PLC ​21E-1054092

Client is a bilingual speaker (English/Spanish) in her 60s. Client is defending herself in a debt collection case initiated by a debt buyer. Client disputes the debt and this debt buyer has a history of lacking proper documentation to prove its claims. Client filed a response and answered discovery in pro per. Client seeks assistance defending this lawsuit to relieve her emotional stress and to protect her income. Trial has not been set.

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 ever 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


Elder Financial Abuse, PLC 20E-1051210

Client is an English speaker in her 80s. During a time when Client was receiving medical care, an individual who had been helping with household tasks obtained access to Client’s finances and appears to have taken close to $40,000.00 from Client without her knowledge or consent. Client seeks assistance recovering these funds and protecting herself from future financial abuse by this individual.

Email Director of Pro Bono Leigh Ferrin


Elder Justice/Civil Litigation Defense, PLC 21-1054361

Client is in her 80s and a victim of elder abuse by family members. Family members recently filed a civil suit against her claiming a financial interest in her home. Client would like assistance defending this lawsuit to keep the home client has lived in for the last 20+ years.

*Client will likely need a translator.*

Email Staff Attorney Morgan Padgett


Homeowner's Insurance/Contractor Dispute, PLC 20E-1052643

Clients are English speakers in their early 70s. Clients are having a dispute with their insurance regarding coverage for repairs that they had done to their home. They are seeking to recover over $30,000.00 for repairs they paid for out of pocket based on an understanding that their homeowner’s insurance company would cover. In addition, Clients believe some of the costs are the responsibility of a contractor for failing to properly repair initial damage. Clients seek assistance working with their insurance company and the contractor to make themselves whole and more on with their lives.

Email Director of Pro Bono Leigh Ferrin


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 Director of Pro Bono Leigh Ferrin

LITIGATION — DEBT

Debt Collection Defense (Third Party Debt Buyer Plaintiff),​ PLC​ 21E-1054092

Client is a bilingual speaker (English/Spanish) in her 60s. Client is defending herself in a debt collection case initiated by a debt buyer. Client disputes the debt and this debt buyer has a history of lacking proper documentation to prove its claims. Client filed a response and answered discovery in pro per. Client seeks assistance defending this lawsuit to relieve her emotional stress and to protect her income. Trial has not been set.

Email Staff Attorney Morgan Padgett

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. 

Email Staff Attorney Diamond Tran


Dissolution, PLC 21-1054305

Client is a Vietnamese male in his 70s in divorce proceedings. A Trial Setting Conference is scheduled for early June. 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

Homeowner's Insurance/Contractor Dispute, PLC 20E-1052643

Clients are English speakers in their early 70s. Clients are having a dispute with their insurance regarding coverage for repairs that they had done to their home. They are seeking to recover over $30,000.00 for repairs they paid for out of pocket based on an understanding that their homeowner’s insurance company would cover. In addition, Clients believe some of the costs are the responsibility of a contractor for failing to properly repair initial damage. Clients seek assistance working with their insurance company and the contractor to make themselves whole and more on with their lives.

Email Director of Pro Bono Leigh Ferrin


Landlord Harassment, PLC 21-0061514

Client, a single mother, and her daughter, were illegally locked out of their apartment. Client was submitting declarations regarding her inability to pay rent and was applying for emergency rental assistance. After regaining access, landlord then violently and forcibly removed Client, her daughter and their family pet from the unit. Client seeks assistance pursing damages for the illegal lockout as well as the physical and emotional damages from the assault.

Email Directing Attorney Ugochi Anaebere-Nicholson


Landlord Retaliation, PLC 21E-105

Client is a tenant in a local complex. Due to health concerns, Client refused fumigation and ever since then Client is being targeted by the landlord. Client believes other tenants are facing similar situations, and would like assistance advocating for her right to live in a habitable, affordable apartment.

Email Directing Attorney Ugochi Anaebere-Nicholson


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 Director of Pro Bono Leigh Ferrin


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 Director of Pro Bono Leigh Ferrin


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 Director of Pro Bono Leigh Ferrin


Property Damage to Mobilehome, PLC 20E-1052263

Clients are seniors who, several years ago, purchased a mobilehome in a senior mobilehome park, where they had hoped to live out their retirement. After purchasing the mobilehome, the Park has had major issues that have caused significant damage to their mobilehome among other costs to the clients and a need to make claims on their insurance. These issues were not disclosed to Client prior to them purchasing the mobilehome. Clients hired an inspector who concluded that the Park's failure to maintain is the cause of the issues. The issues are now affecting the Clients’ health and they are unable to sell their mobilehome and relocate because of the concerns. Clients would like to bring an action against the Park to be compensated so that they can relocate to protect their health.

Email Senior Staff Attorney Richard Walker

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 and will reach the age of majority in September 2021. 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*

Email Supervising Attorney Manohar Sukumar

RACE EQUITY

No cases at this time.

ReENTRY/CONVICTION RELIEF

No cases at this time.

TRANSACTIONAL

Nonprofit - Employment Law Advice & Counsel, PLC 22-0064239

Client is an existing 501(c)(3) nonprofit whose mission is to provide free, fresh & nutritious groceries to families in need. Client seeks urgent legal advice and counsel with a hiring question. Client also seeks legal assistance with reviewing and revising their employee manual for compliance with current federal and state law.

Email Directing Attorney Sarah Efthymiou


Nonprofit (Business Incubation) - Trademark, PLC 21-0062093

Client is an existing 501(c)(3) nonprofit whose mission is to provide education and incubation for low income entrepreneurs. Client seeks legal advice and counsel with obtaining Trademark protection of the organization's name and logo.

Email Directing Attorney Sarah Efthymiou


Nonprofit (Education) - Employment Policies, PLC 21-1054416

Client is an existing 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to empower youth and strengthen communities through traditional and nontraditional educational opportunities. Client is revising its employment policies and seeks legal assistance with ensuring that its new policies and procedures comply with federal and state law.

​Email ​Directing Attorney Sarah Efthymiou


Nonprofit (Education) - Nonprofit Start-Up, PLC 21-0063167

Client is a new educational organization whose mission is to provide education and leadership opportunities for low-income students. Client seeks legal assistance with forming a CA nonprofit corporation and obtaining federal and state tax-exempt status.

​Email ​Directing Attorney Sarah Efthymiou


Nonprofit (Health) - Employment Law Advice & Counsel, PLC 21-0063111

Client is an existing nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide education, support and resources for individuals and families facing familial Alzheimer’s disease. Client seeks legal advice and counsel regarding the payment of independent contractors and determining correct employment classification.

​Email ​Directing Attorney Sarah Efthymiou


Nonprofit (Personal Safety) - Trademark Search, PLC 21-00063902

Client is an existing 501(c)(3) nonprofit whose mission is to educate and empower individuals in personal safety and survivor recovery. Client is creating a new community program and seeks legal assistance with ensuring the proposed program name is available for use.

Email Directing Attorney Sarah Efthymiou


Nonprofit (Small Business Support) - Start-up, PLC 21-0061564

Client is a start-up nonprofit whose mission is to empower low-income small business owners with technical support and education. Client seeks legal assistance with incorporation and obtaining federal and state tax-exempt status.

Email Directing Attorney Sarah Efthymiou

VETERANS

No cases at this time.

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