News
From the Riverbed to Permanent Housing
By Alton Donatto, Paralegal, Public Benefits Unit Jane (fictitious name) was diagnosed with a bipolar disorder and PTSD in 2014 and was unable to comprehend, create, and complete tasks due [Continue Reading]
Securing Legal Remedy for a Misled Senior Consumer
By Katherine Chew, Staff Attorney, Seniors Unit Ms. Hoang (fictitious name) is a 71 year old whose primary language is Vietnamese. As a retired senior, she seldom uses her ten [Continue Reading]
CLA SoCal’s Expungement Clinic – A joint project with UCI School of Law
By Rose Mauro, CLA SoCal Staff Attorney for Expungements We had been assisting Elizabeth (fictitious name) with records expungement for almost two years. Her petitions were originally denied (without prejudice) [Continue Reading]
Missy & Joanne’s Story
For two and a half years, seniors Missy and Joanne – longtime friends both facing significant health challenges and living on limited fixed incomes - have struggled to reach a [Continue Reading]
Representing a Senior in Unfair Debt Collection
By Andrew Deeley, Supervising Attorney, Consumer Defense Unit Mrs. Mary Smith (fictitious name), a senior in her 60s, was sued by a debt collector for the cost of anesthesia she [Continue Reading]
Published Precedent Vindicates Tenant Protections
On October 26, 2022, Community Legal Aid SoCal (CLA SoCal) secured published precedent from the Appellate Division of the Orange County Superior Court in Attenello v. Basilious that vindicates tenant [Continue Reading]
Overcoming Obstacles
A Domestic Violence Case Story By Cheryl Bigos, Staff Attorney, Family Law Unit Introduction My client Sandy had fled a long term abusive relationship, along with her two children, when [Continue Reading]
Advocating for an Eight-Year-Old Health Consumer
A story from Joan Chang, Senior Staff Attorney, Health Unit CLA SoCal Health Consumer Action Center (Health Unit) client Gerry (fictitious name), an eight-year-old health consumer, needed assistance when his [Continue Reading]
Immigration and Family Law, a Cross-Unit Effort
By Sarah Yanez, Attorney, Immigration Unit My client Amanda, a citizen of a European country, met her United States citizen husband, Jasper, when they were both in their late teens [Continue Reading]
Pro Bono Spotlight with James Yang, Associate, O’Melveny & Myers LLP
Q & A with James Yang, Associate Attorney at O’Melveny & Myers How did you did you find your way to CLA SoCal? I was looking for pro bono work [Continue Reading]
Pro Bono Spotlight with David Lash, Managing Counsel for Pro Bono & Public Interest, O’Melveny & Myers LLP
Why were you specifically interested finding pro bono opportunities in the area of public benefits? I’m on the board of MAZON, an organization whose mission is to combat hunger. [Continue Reading]
Pro Bono Spotlight with Lauren Grochow
It’s what the law is all about—justice for all. It’s a critical function of a society with laws and, for me, it’s a given to donate my time and [Continue Reading]
