Central Office, 1550 W. Eighth Street

The Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles represents hundreds of tenants each year defending eviction actions. But the demand for services far surpasses our resources, and we place Unlawful Detainer cases with private attorneys seeking trial experience.
Though no one can determine when a case might settle, we try to place cases in which the facts are more in dispute than the law. This gives newer attorneys the opportunity to take depositions and try the case before a bench officer.

In January, 2007 LAFLA inaugurated a project with Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP.  Forty Gibson attorneys have agreed to retain LAFLA eviction cases in Santa Monica, West L.A., Bevery Hills, and Inglewood.  We anticipate offering trainings at other firms in the fall to increase our panel of pro bono attorneys representing tenants.

Law students who have completed their first-year courses and evidence are eligible to be certified by the State Bar of California to conduct trials. They may conduct bench trials under the supervision of LAFLA attorneys. One law student spent a summer and two semesters externing with LAFLA, and handled 40 trials before graduation. This program is highly competitive, especially during summer, and law students should apply as early as possible.