At the end of 2019 NLSLA welcome two dynamic board members to the NLSLA family. We are grateful for their commitment and dedication. Nicolas Orihuela Partner Hurwitz, Orihuela & Hayes, LLP Nicolas Orihuela was first introduced to NLSLA’s work 20 years ago, when he was hired for a summer internship after his first year… Read more »
On January 1, 2020, new protections for all California renters went into effect. AB 1482, known as the Tenant Protection Act, gives California renters, including everyone in Los Angeles County, additional protections from steep rent increases and evictions. The new law sets limits on how much landlords of many rental units can raise rents… Read more »
Access to the justice system through self-representation is a fundamental right in our democracy. Yet navigating court processes is often confusing and daunting for litigants who are living in poverty, have low-literacy levels or limited English proficiency, or have experienced the trauma of domestic violence or homelessness. Daily, approximately 565 of these individuals find help… Read more »
I’m delighted to share our first newsletter of 2020 with you, our friends and supporters. Our work would not be possible without your financial support and partnership, and I am grateful for your continued commitment to bringing justice to people living in low-income communities in Los Angeles County. I want to take this opportunity… Read more »
Retired NLSLA Executive Director Neal Dudovitz was honored in the Congressional Record by U.S. Representative Adam B. Schiff, who commended Dudovitz for his years of service and called him “a visionary leader and advocate in providing access to legal representation and justice to the underprivileged for over four decades.” Schiff, a longtime supporter of NLSLA… Read more »
An NLSLA lawsuit seeking to enforce the rights of U-visa petitioners and demanding that immigration authorities make good on Congress’ promise to keep them safe will move forward, despite the federal government’s efforts to have the suit dismissed. Federal Judge Dolly Gee agreed to hear the lawsuit, which charges the federal government with unreasonably delaying… Read more »
In the aftermath of changes to federal law that redefine who is considered a “public charge”—or taxpayer burden—in the eyes of immigration officials, NLSLA has significantly increased its efforts to educate immigrants and partner organizations on the changes, and to prevent unnecessary loss of critical public benefits in impacted communities. NLSLA has expanded advocacy efforts… Read more »
The National Center for Medical Legal Partnerships awarded the Whole Person Care LA Medical-Legal Community Partnership – a collaborative of legal services groups led by NLSLA, in partnership with the County Department of Health Services – with its 2019 Impact Award for “its groundbreaking vision in creating unified access to legal services for vulnerable Medi-Cal… Read more »
Paul Loh didn’t spend much time thinking about public interest law when he was making his way through law school. Loh, who now serves as NLSLA’s board president, grew up in the South Bay suburb of Torrance, far away from the hardships that plague so many people living in poverty in Los Angeles. “I had… Read more »
Earlier this month, NLSLA’s Deputy Director Yvonne Mariajimenez, who will take the helm as executive director in September, was invited to speak at the American Bar Association’s Annual Meeting in San Francisco. NLSLA was one of two legal services groups invited to present at the event, which was intended to raise awareness of the impact… Read more »