LA Represents is an unprecedented legal assistance initiative to help thousands of Angelenos who are facing extreme hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mayor Eric Garcetti and City Attorney Mike Feuer have assembled a coalition of law firms, bar associations and attorneys who will enhance their existing pro bono commitments to legal aid organizations to provide COVID-19-related legal services, including helping vulnerable tenants, domestic violence victims and low income individuals with employment, consumer debt, and bankruptcy matters.
Additionally, we have partnered with Bet Tzedek Legal Services to build a new support system for small businesses devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Many LA Represents pro bono attorneys will provide assistance to small businesses least likely to have access to effective legal services as they confront new workplace regulations, renegotiate commercial leases, apply for government relief programs, and navigate compliance with emergency health and safety orders.
I need a lawyer to help me with:
My landlord
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Stay Housed LA: Stay Housed L.A. is a collaboration between the City of Los Angeles, community organizations, legal service providers, and L.A. County to provide renters with information about their rights as tenants and landlords with information about their responsibilities under the law. Stay Housed L.A. also offers free clinics and legal assistance to tenants to help prevent evictions and keep people in their homes.
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Inner City Law Center (Downtown/Metro): E-mail evictions@innercitylaw.org to receive a response within two business days. If you do not have email, call (213) 891-2880 and dial 0 to leave a voice message.
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Public Counsel (Downtown, Compton, Long Beach): Call (213) 385-2977, ext. 100 and leave a message with your name, number, and the legal issue you are trying to resolve. If you have received a complaint without a summons, call the Shriver Self-Help Center at (818) 485-0576 or email ShriverSHpublic@nlsla.org.
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Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles (Downtown, South LA, Inglewood): Call (800) 399-4529 Monday through Friday (9 a.m. to 12 p.m; or 1 to 4:30 p.m. for intake and advice); or apply online at LAFLA.org 24/7.
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Bet Tzedek (Santa Monica, Westside, Mid-City): Call our intake line at (323) 939-0506 or email intake@bettzedek.org.
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Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County: Call (800) 433-6251, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Leave a message and an advocate will reply promptly.
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Community Legal Aid SoCal (Southeast Los Angeles): Call the Hotline number 800-834-5001, Monday – Thursday 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., Friday 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
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Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Los Angeles: For assistance in English: (888) 349-9695; 中文: (800) 520-2356; 한글: (800) 867-3640; Tagalog: (855) 300-2552; ภาษาไทย: (800) 914-9583; Tiếng Việt: 714.477.2958..
My safety
- If you are experiencing an emergency threat, call 9-1-1.
- Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles: Courthouse-based domestic violence clinics (Downtown LA, Long Beach, Santa Monica) are providing assistance with restraining orders on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9 a.m.–12 p.m. and 1–3 p.m. Call (800) 399-4529 ext. 8097 for help.
- Los Angeles County Bar Association: Call (213) 624-3665 or email dvp@lacba.org.
- Bet Tzedek: For assistance with completing and filing Elder Abuse Restraining Order applications and responses, email eaclinic@bettzedek.org or call (323) 648-4730. For other help with Elder Abuse and Elder Fraud issues, call (323)939-0506
- Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Los Angeles: For assistance in English: (888) 349-9695; 中文: (800) 520-2356; 한글: (800) 867-3640; Tagalog: (855) 300-2552; ภาษาไทย: (800) 914-9583; Tiếng Việt: 714.477.2958. . If you are an Asian victim of hate, please visit this website. Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Los Angeles has a victim’s advocate and legal services for victims.
- Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County: For restraining orders, divorce and custody, call (800) 433-6251, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Leave a message and an advocate will reply promptly.
- Harriett Buhai Center for Family Law: If you think you need a restraining order the same day, you should call the police 911 and say you are in danger and need an Emergency Restraining Order (EPO) or go the Court website www.lacourt.org/selfhelp and follow their instructions or call the Court at 213- 830-0845 during weekdays. For all other domestic violence questions and problems, you can call us at 213 388-7515 and leave a safe number for us to call you. You can say it is about domestic violence. If you receive CalWORKs you should let us know that too.
- Los Angeles Center for Law and Justice: Provides family law and immigration law representation for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. Call (323) 980-3500 or email services@LACLJ.org or apply online at www.laclj.org/contact/services-request/. Monday - Friday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
- Community Legal Aid SoCal: For assistance with domestic violence restraining orders and elder abuse, call the Hotline number 800-834-5001, Monday – Thursday 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., Friday 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Or email DVComptonmail@clsocal.org or DVWhittierMail@clsocal.org.
My employment
- Bet Tzedek: Bet Tzedek Employment Rights Project Workers’ Rights Virtual (Telephonic) Clinic every Wednesday night. Leave a voicemail at (323) 648-4767 to request an appointment. Advanced registration required and does not guarantee that we can represent you in your matter.
- Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles
- Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County: For assistance with unemployment insurance applications and appeals, call (800) 433-6251, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Leave a message and an advocate will reply promptly.
- Community Legal Aid SoCal: For assistance with unemployment benefits, call the Hotline number 800-834-5001, Monday – Thursday 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., Friday 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Los Angeles: For assistance in English: (888) 349-9695; 中文: (800) 520-2356; 한글: (800) 867-3640; Tagalog: (855) 300-2552; ภาษาไทย: (800) 914-9583; Tiếng Việt: 714.477.2958. If you are an Asian victim of hate, please visit this website. Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Los Angeles has a victim’s advocate and legal services for victims.
My debt
- Public Counsel: For individual bankruptcy (not businesses), click here. All services previously provided at the bankruptcy court are now being provided remotely within 48 hours (English/Español). For other consumer debt issues, click here. For the fastest response, please fill out the online intake application. If you are not able to fill out the online application, leave a message at (213) 385-2977 ext. 700.
- Bet Tzedek: For Elder Fraud issues, email eaclinic@bettzedek.org or call (323) 648-4730.
- Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles: For Student Loan Issues, call (800) 399-4529.
- Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County: For individual bankruptcy call 818-485-0571, for help with medical debt call (800) 896-3202 Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Leave a message and an advocate will reply promptly.
- Community Legal Aid SoCal: Call the Hotline number 800-834-5001, Monday – Thursday 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., Friday 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB): for help with rent or utilities, click here to search for rental assistance programs in your area.
Other legal questions
- Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles: Call (800) 399-4529 Monday through Friday (9 a.m.–12 p.m; or 1–4:30 p.m. for intake only); or apply online 24/7.
- Bet Tzedek Legal Services:all (323) 939-0506 or email intake@bettzedek.org.
- Public Counsel: Call (213) 385-2977.
- Inner City Law Center: Call (213) 891-2880 and dial 0 to leave a voice message.
- Los Angeles County Bar Association
- Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County: Call our hotlines Monday through Friday between 9:00 am to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. General Help Line: (800) 433-6251. Health Help Line: (800) 896-3202. Leave a message and an advocate will reply promptly.
- Harriett Buhai Center for Family Law: If you need help with custody, divorce, parentage, property division (pensions, houses), and support you can call us at 213-388-7515 and leave a message. If you receive CalWORKs you should let us know. You can also get help on the Court’s website at www.lacourt.org/selfhelp and you can call them at 213-830-0845 during weekdays. It is recommended to check the Court website first.
- Community Legal Aid SoCal: Call the Hotline number 800-834-5001, Monday – Thursday 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., Friday 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Los Angeles: For assistance in English: (888) 349-9695; 中文: (800) 520-2356; 한글: (800) 867-3640; Tagalog: (855) 300-2552; ภาษาไทย: (800) 914-9583; Tiếng Việt: 714.477.2958. Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Los Angeles provides legal services regarding immigration, naturalization/citizenship, and family law.
My small business needs legal advice
For free legal resources to address problems caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, please visit Bet Tzedek's website.
I am a lawyer who wants to help
The following legal aid organizations are recruiting volunteer lawyers to assist in landlord/tenant actions:
- Bet Tzedek is recruiting volunteers to assist with representing low-income renters in unlawful detainer matters and other landlord-tenant/housing matters. Prior housing experience is not required.
- Contact: Cristin Zeisler at CZeisler@bettzedek.org.
Community Legal Aid of Southern California:
- Bet Tzedek is recruiting volunteers to assist with representing low-income renters in unlawful detainer matters and other landlord-tenant/housing matters. Prior housing experience is not required.
- Contact: Cristin Zeisler at CZeisler@bettzedek.org.
- ICLC is focused on actual representation at trial of low-income clients facing eviction. ICLC is also looking for volunteers to handle affirmative litigation involving slum condition housing remediation. Further, ICLC offers volunteers the chance to help clients experiencing homelessness with expungements, clearing citations, as well as research projects.
- Contact: Vidhya Ragunathan at VRagunathan@innercitylaw.org.
Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles:
- LAFLA hosts weekly remote eviction answer clinics on Fridays from 3:30 – 6:00 p.m. Volunteer attorneys interview clients, review evidence, and prepare pro se unlawful detainer (eviction) answers under the guidance of a LAFLA supervisor. Free online on-demand trainings are available at pbtraining.org.
- In September/October 2021, LAFLA will be starting a small claims/rent arrears clinic to help tenants who are behind in rent (landlords can start filing Nov 1st). LAFLA also is coordinating an eviction trial prep/settlement clinic, which will likely start in late September.
- Contact: probono@lafla.org for clinics and Phong Wong at pwong@lafla.org regarding full-scope eviction defense opportunities.
Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles:
- NLSLA holds advice-and-counsel housing clinics on Wednesdays twice per month, from 3:00-5:00 pm.
- Additionally, in anticipation of a wave of cases likely to begin in November 2021 when current filing prohibitions are lifted, NLSLA will be providing training in October to help tenants with small claims actions for back rent that landlords will be able to file. Volunteers can also handle these debt-disputes through trial if the landlord chooses to skip the small claims process.
- Contact: Skip Koenig at SkipKoenig@nlsla.org.
- Public Counsel is focused on providing full scope representation to tenants facing eviction upon the expiration of the moratorium.
- The organization also runs two different general advice clinics during which housing issues frequently arise. Right now the volunteer slots are booked, but Public Counsel likely will be looking for additional clinic volunteers in the fall.
- Contact: David Daniels at ddaniels@publiccounsel.org.
- PLC operates weekly remote self-help clinics, helping tenants with answers and motions.
- The organization is looking for volunteer law firms to handle affirmative housing discrimination and habitability cases, full-scope eviction defense cases. In addition, PLC will need volunteers to handle back-rent debt assistance matters in clinics and by full-scope representation (likely starting in October 2021).
- Contact: Leigh Ferrin at lferrin@publiclawcenter.org.
The following organizations are also recruiting volunteer lawyers to offer other COVID-19 related legal services including employment, consumer debt, domestic violence, and bankruptcy matters.
- Bet Tzedek
- Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles
- Public Counsel
- Inner City Law Center
- Neighborhood Legal Services
- Los Angeles County Bar Association
- Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Los Angeles
- Los Angeles Center for Law and Justice
- Community Legal Aid SoCal
- Harriett Buhai Center for Family Law
Thank you to our partners
- Ackerman LLP
- Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP
- Allen Matkins Leck Gamble Mallory & Natsis LLP
- Alston & Bird LLP
- Arent Fox LLP
- Baker Marquart LLP
- Barnes & Thornburg
- Bird, Marella, Boxer, Wolpert, Nessim, Drooks, Lincenberg & Rhow PC
- Blank Rome LLP
- Brutzkus Gubner
- Cooley LLP
- Covington & Burling LLP
- Cozen O’Connor P.C.
- Crowell & Moring LLP
- Davis Wright Tremaine LLP
- Dechert LLP
- DLA Piper
- Duane Morris LLP
- Fenwick & West LLP
- Fenton Law Group
- Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP
- Greenberg Glusker
- Greenberg Traurig
- Goodwin Procter LLP
- Guggenheim Partners, LLC
- Hanson Bridgett
- Hogan Lovells
- Holland & Knight
- Hunton Williams
- Irell & Manella LLP
- Jackson Lewis P.C.
- Jenner & Block
- Jones Day
- Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP
- King & Spalding LLP
- Kirkland & Ellis LLP
- Larson LLP
- Latham & Watkins LLP
- Law Offices of Lawrence S. Middleton
- LimNexus LLP
- Loeb & Loeb LLP
- Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP
- Margolin & Lawrence
- Mayer Brown LLP
- McDermott Will & Emery LLP
- McGuireWoods LLP
- Milbank LLP
- Miller Barondess, LLP
- Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp LLP
- Michelman & Robinson, LLP
- Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
- Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP
- Nixon Peabody LLP
- Norton Rose Fulbright
- O’Melveny & Myers LLP
- Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP
- Paul Hastings LLP
- Perkins Coie LLP
- Proskauer Rose LLP
- Polsinelli
- Robins Kaplan LLP
- Seyfarth Shaw LLP
- Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP
- Sidley Austin LLP
- Southern California Edison
- Squire Patton Boggs
- Steptoe & Johnson LLP
- Vedder Price
- Venable LLP
- Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP
- Winston & Strawn LLP
Thank you to the following legal organizations
- Arab American Lawyers Association of Southern California
- Armenian Bar Association
- Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Los Angeles
- Beverly Hills Bar Association
- Beverly Hills Bar Foundation
- Black Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles
- Irish American Bar Association-Los Angeles
- John M. Langston Bar Association of Los Angeles
- LGBT Bar Association of Los Angeles
- Los Angeles County Bar Association
- Mexican American Bar Association of Los Angeles County
- Southern California Chinese Lawyers Association
- Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles
- LA Law Library
Thank you to the following institutions for their support
- UCLA School of Law
- USC Gould School of Law
- Loyola Law School
- Southwestern Law School
- Pepperdine Caruso School of Law
- UC Irvine School of Law
- Chapman University Dale E. Fowler School of Law