Greetings Leigh,

Happy PRIDE month!

We strive to create a more equitable Orange County, including ensuring our LGBTQI+ neighbors and community members have access to justice. We partner with UCI and the LGBTQ Center OC on their Name and Gender Marker change clinic. We advocate for gender affirming care for transgender individuals. We seek asylum protections for individuals facing persecution in their home country based on their gender identity or sexual orientation. We joined the fight for transgender individuals to have accurate information reflected on their credit reports.

If you want to join in the celebration locally, check out www.prideoc.com. And reach out if you are interested in providing legal services to clients who are members of the LGBTQI+ community.

APPEALS

No cases at this time.

HUMAN TRAFFICKING

LITIGATION — DEBT

Civil Litigation Defense, PLC 22-0065189

Client is defending herself in a complaint for damages for slander and defamation initiated by Plaintiff in pro per. Client disputes the allegations in the complaint. Client has not filed a responsive pleading as proper service has yet to be effectuated. Client seeks assistance defending this lawsuit to relieve her emotional stress and to protect her rights. 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

Housing Authority Advocacy for Survivors of Domestic Violence, PLC 21-0063590

Client is a survivor of domestic violence and an older adult. She receives a housing voucher to assist her in paying for her rent. The local housing authority is threatening to terminate her voucher if she does not comply with unreasonable and unnecessary claims. She would like assistance in challenging the actions of the housing authority and asserting her rights under the Violence Against Women Act.

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

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 Senior Staff 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.

Email Director of Legal Services Leigh Ferrin

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 Legal Services 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 Legal Services Leigh Ferrin

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 Director of Legal Services Leigh Ferrin

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 in Superior Court by filing a writ.

Email Directing Attorney Ugochi Anaebere-Nicholson

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.*

Email Supervising Attorney Manohar Sukumar

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.

Email Staff Attorney Morgan Padgett

RACE EQUITY

No cases at this time.

ReENTRY/CONVICTION RELIEF

No cases at this time.

TRANSACTIONAL

Nonprofit – Contract Review, PLC 22-1067580

Client is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide outdoor science education for Orange County students. Client is renewing their contract with local school district and has questions about changes to their standard agreement.

Email Directing Attorney Sarah Efthymiou

Nonprofit (Education) – Contract Drafting, PLC 22-1067616

Client is an existing 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to inspire and support teens on their journey to adulthood. Client seeks legal assistance with drafting standard volunteer agreements and waivers of liability.

Email Directing Attorney Sarah Efthymiou

Nonprofit (Environment) – Website Privacy Policies/Terms of Use, PLC 22-0065595

Client is an existing nonprofit organization whose mission is to protect local mountain communities. Client seeks legal assistance with developing website terms of use and privacy policies.

Email Directing Attorney Sarah Efthymiou

Nonprofit (Health) – Trademark Registration, PLC 22-0065981

Client is an existing nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide alternative therapies for disabled children. Client seeks legal assistance with registering for trademark protection of their nonprofit name and logo.

Email Directing Attorney Sarah Efthymiou

Nonprofit (Special Needs) – Contract Review, PLC 22-1067613

Client is an existing 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to deliver quality and personalized services to the Orange County special needs population. Clients seeks legal assistance with reviewing standard client intake and agreement forms.

Email Directing Attorney Sarah Efthymiou

Nonprofit (Special Needs) – Review of Employment Policies, PLC 22-1067286

Client is an existing 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to deliver quality and personalized services to the Orange County special needs population. Clients seeks legal assistance with reviewing their current employment policies and procedures.

Email Directing Attorney Sarah Efthymiou

Social Enterprise (Mental Health) – Corporate Formation, PLC 22-1067615

Client is an existing 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to improve children’s mental health and wellness. Client seeks legal assistance with forming an affiliated B Corp or similar social enterprise entity.

Email Directing Attorney Sarah Efthymiou

VETERANS

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 Directing Attorney Ugochi Anaebere-Nicholson