Los Angeles Division
The Los Angeles Division is served by several pro bono organizations including Public Counsel’s Debtor Assistance Project, Bet Tzedek Legal Services, and the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles. A summary of the number of visitors served accompanies each organization.
Public Counsel
Thanks to the assistance of 190 volunteers, Public Counsel was able to serve 3,371 debtors in 2013. On July 11, 2013, 88 legal professionals from throughout the District attended “An Introduction to Adversary Proceedings.” Attorneys who attended the program had previously agreed to volunteer with pro bono bankruptcy programs throughout the District. The panelists included:
- Hon. Sandra R. Klein (U.S. Bankruptcy Court)
- Roksana D. Moradi, Esq. (Simon Resnik Hayes LLP)
- Roye Zur, Esq. (Landau Gottfried & Berger LLP)
- Moderator: Magdalena R. Bordeaux, Esq. (Public Counsel)
On December 10, 2013, nearly 60 attorneys and support staff from throughout the District attended “Bankruptcy Basics: An Introduction to Chapter 7 Consumer Bankruptcy Law.” As with the prior program, those who attended also volunteered with pro bono bankruptcy programs throughout the District. Several attendees said that this was the best MCLE program they had ever attended. The panelists included:
- Jim King, Esq. (King & Associates)
- Erik Clark, Esq. (Borowitz & Clark)
- Moderator: Christian Cooper, Esq. (Public Counsel)
As a co-sponsor of each event, the Court provided Court space for the programs to be held, which were offered by Public Counsel for free in exchange for two volunteer hours per attendee. A representative from the Court spoke at each event on topics such as attorney registration and the top 10 filing errors attorneys make when filing through CM/ECF. These well-attended programs were successful in increasing the number of volunteers for self-help desks district-wide.
Bet Tzedek
In 2013, 12 volunteers were assigned to Bet Tzedek’s Debtors’ Rights and Bankruptcy Program. Members of the program also worked closely with the advocates and the dozens of volunteers assigned to Bet Tzedek’s Community Outreach Project. Volunteers assisting in the program conducted one-on-one client interviews, reviewed financial documents, prepared chapter 7 bankruptcy petitions, wrote letters to creditors and collectors, helped clients respond to bank levies and wage garnishments, and assisted victims of identity theft. Volunteers also helped clients understand and exercise their rights under the fair debt collection laws, review and correct credit reports, and respond to judgment enforcement actions. Volunteers evaluated each visitor’s circumstances and, when appropriate, filed chapter 7 bankruptcy petitions at the Los Angeles and Woodland Hills court locations. On a more limited basis, clients also received assistance on debts resulting from identity theft, government offsets from public benefits and student loan discharge applications.
Nearly 1,000 Bet Tzedek Clients Assisted in 2013
Nearly 1,000 clients were provided general counseling on debtor’s rights and bankruptcy by Bet Tzedek. Of those, about 66 percent of clients specifically requested assistance with bankruptcy. The majority of those decided not to proceed with a chapter 7 bankruptcy for a variety of reasons. Reasons clients decided to not file included the following: filing was not necessary given their age, income, and assets; they determined that filing bankruptcy would not grant the relief sought; they found out they were ineligible to file; or, they found a greater benefit could be obtained by waiting to file later. Debtors were assisted at one of seven Debtors’ Rights Clinics held at Bet Tzedek’s main office; about 35 to 40 people attended each one. Those who were not able to attend were referred to an outreach site for a one-on-one consultation. The outreach sites included senior centers throughout Los Angeles County, St. Francis Medical Center, St. Vincent Medical Center, and SOVA food pantries.
Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles
The Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles is a Legal Services Corporation funded organization. Unfortunately, LSC funding has steadily decreased over the years. Due to a continued reduction in funding, the Foundation was forced to furlough a full week in December and to close the debt relief project a week earlier than the actual furlough week to allocate resources towards preparing other ongoing cases for the office closure. Closing the debt relief project meant an interruption of service for all pro bono and in-house bankruptcy work. Though the number of people who attempted to reach the organization during the closure is unknown, many referring organizations and community partners were surprised at their inability to refer potential clients to the Foundation during the furloughed week. Despite these setbacks, the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles was able to assist approximately 371 debtors in 2013.
