Executive Director’s Message

On a recent business trip to New Orleans, I took the opportunity to visit the Lower and Upper Ninth Ward that were devastated by Hurricane Katrina. I was surprised by what little progress had been made despite the nearly $4 billion made in donations by people like you and me. It reminded me of the South Los Angeles area after the 1992 riots, and most recently, communities devastated by our foreclosure crisis. New Orleans and the economic recession have strengthened my conviction that LAFLA’s focus must also be about capacity building—for the communities and the individuals we serve. As you know there is a lack of legal aid organizations to completely meet the demands and needs for services in Los Angeles. In fact, there 's only one legal aid attorney for every 8,361 poor Californian. In Los Angeles alone, more than 2 million people qualify for our services, therefore, our focus must also be to strengthen and empower communities so that they can demand real change from policymakers and the private sector.

How can this be accomplished? We do this by building trust with the clients and communities we serve. At LAFLA we’re off to a strong start. Our offices are located in the communities where the need for legal access is the greatest -- where our clients live. In fact, our replacement office in South Los Angeles is set to open in early summer. To maintain our presence in the community while the South Los Angeles office was being reconstructed, we have been housed at an office at Bethel AME church. Our attorneys who work in this office and in our Community Economic Development Unit are providing legal assistance to nonprofit organizations, while our Employment Unit attorneys are working hand in hand with those who have lost their jobs, and those struggling with wage and hour issues during these tough economic times. In addition, all of our staff is engaged in many neighborhood activities to build trust with our clients and communities. At LAFLA we believe trust begins in treating each client with dignity and respect; handling calls with delicacy and patience; managing our cases with professionalism; and advocating forcefully in court for the rights of our clients. We may not be able to change the entire city or county, but we can start block by block, neighborhood by neighborhood. Small steps can often lead to fundamental and profound changes.

Silvia Argueta, Interim Executive Director

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LAFLA Launches 2009 Law Firm Campaign

The partnership of public-spirited law firms in our mission helps make it possible for LAFLA to provide access to justice to thousands of low-income people who otherwise could not afford an attorney to help them seek their legal rights. Participation in the campaign enables attorneys in the private sector to fulfill one of the most basic tenets of the legal profession: to provide equal access to justice for everyone in the community.

Our 2008 Annual Fund Drive Law Firm Campaign raised $528,800 from 63 law firm “Partners in Equal Justice.” LAFLA is indebted to 2008 Campaign Co-Chairs Seth Aronson, O’Melveny & Myers LLP; James Lichtman, NBC Universal Television Group, and Marc Seltzer, Susman Godfrey L.L.P. who, with the assistance of the Law Firm Campaign Committee and chair Ronald Turovsky, rallied public-spirited firms of 300-plus attorneys, mid-size practices and sole practitioners to partner with LAFLA as supporters of the campaign. Their generosity help sustain our ability to provide legal information and assistance to over 54,000 individuals and families in 2008 with critical legal needs affecting their homes, families and livelihoods.

For a roster of our 2008 “Partners in Equal Justice,” visit our website at http://www.lafla.org/support/lawcamp.asp. To participate in the 2009 campaign, please contact Development Associate Millie Heur at (323) 801-7915 or email mheur@lafla.org.

Law Fellows to Join LAFLA in Response to Economic Downturn

By Tai Glenn, Pro Bono Director

In an effort to introduce law associates to our public interest work, LAFLA has been in discussion with several major law firms that have expressed interest in having law associates, who may be at risk for layoff, work at LAFLA as Law Fellows for approximately one year. We are currently in communication with seven major, national firms regarding placement of associates and future associates to gain experience and build skills in the public interest sector, while providing much needed support for LAFLA’s attorneys and clients. In turn, the firms will pay a reduced salary to the associates as well as medical benefits. So far two Fellows from the firms of Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP and Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP have been placed at LAFLA, and will be begin working in May 2009 and January 2010 respectively in our Consumer and Family Law Units—two of LAFLA’s busiest legal areas.

Gerald Kim, a third-year law student at George Washington University, and incoming Associate at Orrick, Herrington and Sutcliffe stated: "I was fortunate that my firm was flexible and offered me options, including the opportunity to work at LAFLA and in the public interest area. It will be a rewarding time for me and a chance to gain experience in the Consumer Law area, which handles foreclosures. I am hoping I can contribute to the LAFLA team and help those who are most in need of access to legal services."

We are currently discussing placement of two additional Fellows to provide legal support to our Immigration and Asian & Pacific Islander Services Units. We will provide the necessary training, supervision, a variety of legal opportunities and the chance to make a difference in the lives of our communities’ most needy members. If your firm is interested in placing a Fellow, please e-mail tglenn@lafla.org.

Housing/Eviction Defense Attorney Testifies at Regional Congressional Hearing

To address the foreclosure and housing crisis in the South Los Angles community, LAFLA was invited by Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA-35) on March 28 to provide testimony about the current housing crisis and predatory lending scams in the poor communities of Los Angeles. Waters is also Chairwoman of the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity. Christian Abasto, Managing Attorney for LAFLA’s Housing & Eviction Defense Units provided remarks and insight about the rise in foreclosures; affordable and public housing issues; fraudulent mortgage issues and their effects on our clients. He was joined by William Flanagan, one of our Consumer Law attorneys who specializes in foreclosures and is currently litigating several cases.

LAFLA Invited to Participate in Project to Improve Access to Justice

Toby Rothschild, LAFLA’s General Counsel, was invited by Stanford Law School to participate in a groundbreaking Access to Justice symposium that will design a roadmap for policymakers, educators, non-profit organizations and researchers.The goal of the symposium was to provide a series of structured conversations that bring together leading experts to strategize on issues involving the re-organization of legal processes, ethical rules, court procedures , pro bono programs for the purpose of improving the delivery of legal services to low-income communities.

Attorneys Participate in Social Justice Academy Mentoring Program

At the suggestion of LAFLA Board member Gary Blasi from UCLA School of Law, attorneys in LAFLA’s Housing, Eviction Defense, Government Benefits and Immigration Law Units participated in the 2009 Mentoring in the Moment Job Shadow Week, a program of the Social Justice and the Law Academy at Crenshaw High School. The program helps students experience careers in action; gain an understanding of how learning and earning are connected; motivates them to expand and meet their education and career goals; and gives them the potential to develop long-lasting mentoring relationships. The student, Quintaya Elliot, was able to attend court and a state hearing with the attorneys.

Immigration Law Advocate Appointed to the State Advisory Council

Carolina Sheinfeld, an Immigration Law advocate, has been appointed as the public member on the State Advisory Council on Refugee Assistance and Services. The purpose of the Council is to advise the California Department of Social Services on matters pertaining to refugee resettlement. Council members analyze critical issues affecting refugees and make recommendations on policy decisions that are crucial to California refugee resettlement programs. Sheinfeld works in LAFLA's Torture Survivors Project.

Friendly Reminder:
Grand Cru Sponsor Party, April 22

We’re looking for wine lovers and sponsors for our annual fundraising Grand Cru Wine Tasting Event to be held August 22 at Rainbow Lagoon Park in Long Beach. If you miss the party, you can still become a sponsor of the event. We’re also seeking auction items such as vacation packages, restaurant coupons, sports memorabilia, etc. to donate at the event to help raise additional funds. Please contact Ludmila Montoya at (213) 640-3894 or visit www.longbeachgrandcru.com.

Don’t Miss the AAB Fab Summer Event!

Our Associates Advisory Board (AAB) will host their fourth annual AAB Fab Summer Event on Wednesday, June 10 from 6-8 p.m. at the Elevate Lounge in downtown Los Angeles. The event brings together associates and summer associates to socialize, share experiences and learn about the leadership and pro bono opportunities LAFLA has to offer. AAB Fab sponsorship packages are available at the following levels: Platinum Sponsor – $750 (15 guests), Gold Sponsor – $500 (10 guests), Silver Sponsor – $250 (five guests) Individual tickets may also be purchased for $40 each ($30 for public service employees/interns). Sponsors will be recognized at the event, and at LAFLA’s 2009 Access to Justice Dinner to be held in the late fall. For more information or to purchase a sponsor package or tickets, please contact Director of Special Projects Ludmila Montoya at (213) 640-3894 or lmontoya@lafla.org.

LAFLA to Launch New Website April 21!

On Tuesday, April 21 LAFLA will have a new and updated Website. The Website was redesigned to help our clients, donors, community-based organizations, the media and other key constituents discover LAFLA’s services and programs. Take a peek at www.lafla.org.

 

In the News

• Tai Glenn, LAFLA’s Pro Bono Director provided comments in a Daily Journal article titled: New Lawyers Find Work in Public Service. The article appeared in the April 10 issue.
• Christian Abasto’s comments at the Congressional Hearing on housing and foreclosure issues were published in The Wave Newspapers on April 3.
• Ana Storey, Managing Attorney for LAFLA’s Consumer and Family Law Units was interviewed by La Opinion for an article about the rise in domestic violence cases resulting from the financial crisis. The article appeared on March 13
• Wynn Collins, an attorney who oversees LAFLA’s Torrance Self Help Legal Access Center, was interviewed by Torrance Community Television 28 about the work of the Center to help local clients.

*Complete news articles can be read at www.lafla.org/news/index.asp.