New Pro Bono Opportunities from PLC

April 10, 2025

Hi,

April has arrived—and with it, the energy of spring and a sense of change in the air. As our county continues to face transitions and challenges, one thing remains constant: with your help, we can continue to serve and stand beside low-income individuals and families who need legal support.

This month we have several new pro bono opportunities that reflect the wide range of legal needs in our community—from a veteran seeking justice for unsafe housing conditions to nonprofits working to recover funds or expand their mission, and survivors of violence looking for a path forward. Your time and expertise truly make a difference. If any of the cases below speak to you, let us know—we’d be happy to share more.

Thank you, as always, for being part of this work.

Sincerely,

Angela Mestre

Pro Bono Coordinator

PRACTICE AREAS

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SURVIVORS

Advocating for Justice: Supporting a Domestic Abuse Survivor in a Family Court Hearing

(Limited Scope) – PLC 23-0082312

Client, a courageous single mother of two, is seeking a pro bono attorney to assist her in family court on a limited scope basis for her motion to compel (or in the alternative, waive preliminary disclosures). Client has endured domestic abuse from her former spouse and currently has a domestic violence restraining order in place. Despite repeated attempts, her former spouse has failed to comply with mandatory disclosures required by the court. After nearly a year of delays, the former spouse recently appeared in court during Client’s first contempt motion attempt. The judge indicated that her motion would have been accepted but for certain errors in her motion, and her former spouse’s unexpected appearance. Determined to move forward, Client has submitted a new motion and secured a new hearing date. Client now seeks legal representation during the hearing to help level the power dynamic, navigate complex legal language, and advocate effectively as she works toward the next stage of her divorce case. Your support could make all the difference in her pursuit of justice and stability for her family.

Email Equal Justice Works Fellow Sheila Robles

FAMILY LAW

Advocating for Justice: Supporting a Domestic Abuse Survivor in a Family Court Hearing

(Limited Scope) – PLC 23-0082312

Email Equal Justice Works Fellow Sheila Robles

FINANCIAL/INCOME PROTECTION

Assist a Senior Entrepreneur Seeking Justice: Contract/Small Business/Elder Abuse

– PLC 24-0091286

Client, a 70-year-old bilingual English and Vietnamese speaker, is seeking legal assistance in a financial business dispute. He personally loaned money to Adverse Party, which has yet to be repaid. Additionally, Client entered into a purchase agreement for 50% ownership of Adverse Party’s company, but the promised share was never delivered. This case involves both personal financial matters and business transactions made through his LLC. Your support can help Client recover what he is owed and ensure fair business practices.

Email Staff Attorney Morgan Padgett

IMMIGRATION

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

*NOTE: With PLC’s new policy, PLC will be, and remain, the attorney of record on this case. In addition, the pro bono attorney must finalize the U-Visa within 6 months of placement, and forward it to PLC for review and approval. At that point the pro bono attorney’s commitment and service on this case will be completed. PLC will file the U-Visa with USCIS as attorney of record.

Help a Domestic Violence Survivor Obtain Legal Residency: VAWA – PLC 24-0093052

Client, a single mother from Mexico, is seeking a pro bono attorney with a VAWA-based Adjustment of Status Petition. Client endured severe emotional and verbal abuse at the hands of her U.S. citizen spouse throughout their relationship and marriage. With PLC’s support, Client filed for divorce, which is still pending. While awaiting the finalization of her divorce, Client continues to focus on supporting her three children and herself, while healing from the abuse she endured. This case offers the opportunity to help a survivor of domestic violence navigate the immigration system and build a safer life for herself and her family. Client is a monolingual Spanish speaker and interpretation services are available to support communication, if needed. Client is the only applicant in her case.

Email Staff Attorney Allyssa Scheyer

Support a Brave Survivor and Her Children: U-Visa – PLC 25-0101307*

Client, a monolingual Spanish speaker, is a 32-year-old mother who bravely survived repeated domestic violence at the hands of her former partner. She endured unthinkable trauma trauma—physical beatings, sexual assault, and rape. Despite the danger, she found the courage to report the abuse to the Austin Police Department, who investigated her former partner. Today, she is focused on healing and providing a better life for her two children, including her newborn U.S. citizen baby. Client still struggles with the emotional scars of the abuse, including ongoing anxiety, but remains determined to move forward and create a new chapter for herself and her two young children—one of whom is a newborn U.S. citizen. Client is seeking a pro bono attorney to help her apply for a U-Visa—a crucial step toward long-term safety and peace of mind. This is a powerful opportunity to help a survivor build a more secure future with her children.

Email Staff Attorney Andy Marin

Fighting for a New Beginning: U-Visa Assistance Needed – PLC 24-0089978*

Client is seeking pro bono representation to apply for a U-Visa after experiencing violent assaults by his ex-wife during their marriage. The abuse also extended to his elderly mother, who was assaulted on a separate occasion. Both Client and his mother reported the incidents to law enforcement and successfully obtained three-year restraining orders against the ex-wife in 2024. Client and his mother are cooperating with the Orange County District Attorney’s office in the felony assault prosecution of the ex-wife. However, both continue to suffer from anxiety and emotional distress due to the violence they endured. Client, a bilingual English/Hindi speaker, is pursuing the U-Visa as a sole applicant, as his elderly mother is pursuing her own U-Visa. Your support can help empower this survivor to move forward and rebuild his life.

Email Staff Attorney Allyssa Scheyer

Seeking Safety and Stability: Help a Mother Secure a U-Visa – PLC 24-0084927*

Client, a 51-year-old mother, is seeking pro bono assistance with a U-Visa petition after enduring unimaginable trauma. Her brave decision to report her ex-husband’s sexual abuse of her daughter led to his conviction and imprisonment. While justice was served, the emotional toll remains. Client continues to manage anxiety with medication and therapy as she rebuilds her life. Client is now seeking a pro bono attorney to help her take the next step toward safety and stability. This is a powerful opportunity to help a survivor and her family secure a brighter future. Client is a monolingual Spanish speaker and interpretation services are available to support communication, if needed.

Email Staff Attorney Andy Marin

U-Visa Assistance for a Domestic Violence Survivor – PLC 24-0090108*

Client is eligible for a U-Visa based on repeated domestic violence inflicted by her former romantic partner during their relationship. She endured severe physical and emotional harm, including sexual assault and cruel, punitive treatment. As a result of the abuse, in 2024 Client obtained a three-year restraining order against her ex-partner in Orange County Superior Court. Despite taking steps to move forward, Client continues to experience the emotional effects of the abuse, including lingering anxiety. A devoted mother to three young U.S. citizen children, she is a monolingual Spanish speaker and needs a pro bono attorney to assist with her U-Visa application to help her build a more secure future for her family. Interpretation services are available to support communication, if needed.

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

PRESERVATION OF HOUSING

Help a Military Family Assert Their Rights: Habitability – PLC 25-0103011

Client, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, has spent years trying to get his landlord to make urgently needed repairs to his family’s home. Despite repeated requests, serious defects in the unit went unaddressed—until recently, when local code enforcement stepped in and cited the landlord for multiple violations. This family has endured prolonged substandard living conditions, and now they’re ready to explore their legal options. The client is seeking a pro bono attorney for a consultation and guidance on the strength and value of a potential habitability claim, and possibly representation in pursuing affirmative litigation. This is a chance to support a veteran and his family as they take a stand for decent, livable housing.

Email Supervising Attorney Ryan Ueda

Fight Housing Discrimination – Help a Single Father Seek Justice – PLC 24-0098720

Client, a devoted single father, faced persistent discrimination from his landlord simply for having a child. Client’s child merely displayed normal child behavior. However, Landlord blamed Client’s young son for a plumbing leak in their apartment—despite a year of failed repair attempts—and restricted the family’s use of their own bathtub. Unable to endure the continued hardship and unfair treatment, Client was forced to move when his lease ended. Now, Client is seeking legal representation to file a private civil lawsuit for damages based on familial status discrimination. He has already pursued a case with the California Civil Rights Department, but mediation was unsuccessful. Your advocacy can help hold Landlord accountable and protect the rights of families like his.

Email Directing Attorney Richard Walker

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

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

TRANSACTIONAL

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

Assist a Public Health Nonprofit in Expanding Its Impact – PLC 25-0102342

Client is a nonprofit organization conducting vital research with an out-of-state University on the H5N1 bird flu, and are in the process of establishing education and public health collaborations with two other institutions on the West Coast. To further its mission, Client is seeking legal assistance in structuring its organization into two distinct entities:

A 501(c)(4) to support policy implementation in sequencing, research, and development in California (not yet incorporated or applied for tax-exempt status).
A 501(c)(3) already incorporated in Delaware, currently finalizing its 501(c)(3) tax-exempt application.

Client is looking for legal guidance to complete the 501(c)(3) process and establish the 501(c)(4) to effectively advance its public health initiatives. This is a great opportunity to support an organization at the forefront of critical health research and policy development.

Email Staff Attorney Brigid Joyce

Overbilling Dispute: Nonprofit Seeks Legal Help – PLC 25-0107625

Client is an established nonprofit organization dedicated to providing mental health, substance abuse, and rehabilitative services to individuals and families. Client is facing a costly billing dispute with its payroll provider. The organization believes it was charged for services it never authorized—totaling over $100,000 in overcharges dating back three years. These are funds the nonprofit could be using to support individuals and families in crisis. Client needs a pro bono attorney to help assess the claim and pursue recovery of the overcharges. This is a great opportunity for an attorney interested in supporting a community-focused organization and applying their skills to right a financial wrong.

Email Supervising Attorney Brigid Joyce

Help a Children’s Mental Health Nonprofit Grow Its Impact: Entity Formation – PLC 25-0107165

Client, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is on a mission to support children’s mental health and emotional wellness through educational tools, outreach, and community events. As part of that mission, they’ve created an award-winning children’s character that’s helping them engage young audiences in a fun and meaningful way. Client is now seeking a pro bono attorney to assist with forming a related entity to manage the licensing and creative development tied to the character—ensuring that proceeds flow back into the nonprofit’s work with kids and families. This case is well-suited for an attorney with experience in nonprofit or business formation who wants to support a creative and impactful organization as it takes an exciting next step.

Email Supervising Attorney Brigid Joyce

VETERANS

Help a Military Family Assert Their Rights: Habitability – PLC 25-0103011

Email Supervising Attorney Ryan Ueda

ADVOCACY FOR CHILDREN

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.