Public Interest Law Project

THE PURPOSE OF THE PUBLIC INTEREST LAW PROJECT IS (1) TO RENDER LEGAL SERVICES TO LOW INCOME PERSONS WHO MAY BE IN NEED THEREOF AND ARE FINANCIALLY UNABLE TO PAY FOR THE SAME; AND (2) TO PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, TRAINING, RESEARCH, AND LITIGATION SUPPORT TO PUBLIC INTEREST LEGAL ORGANIZATIONS AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, PUBLIC BENEFITS, HEALTH, EDUCATION, WELFARE, AND CIVIL, CONSUMER AND ECONOMIC RIGHTS.

APARTMENT ASSOCIATION OF GREATER LOS ANGELES (AAGLA) V. CITY OF LOS ANGELESCENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA, CASE NO. 2:20-CV-05193-DDP-JEMINTERVENTION IN CASE CHALLENGING CITY OF LOS ANGELES ORDINANCE SUSPENDING EVICTIONS DURING THE OUTBREAK OF COVID-19 ON A VARIETY OF CONSTITUTIONAL GROUNDS, INCLUDING CONTRACTS CLAUSE, TAKINGS, AND DUE PROCESS GROUNDS. IN NOVEMBER 2020, THE COURT ISSUED A WELL-REASONED ORDER DENYING AAGLA'S MOTION FOR PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION, AND UPHOLDING THE LA EVICTION PROTECTION ORDINANCES. AAGLA APPEALED THE TRIAL COURT'S RULING, AND IN A UNANIMOUS RULING FROM THE NINTH CIRCUIT PANEL, THE COURT UPHELD THE DENIAL OF THE PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION. THIS IS THE FIRST FEDERAL APPELLATE COURT TO RULE ON THE CONTRACTS CLAUSE AS IT RELATES TO COVID EVICTION MORATORIA. ON NOVEMBER 23, 2021, AAGLA FILED A PETITION FOR CERTIORARI AT THE U.S. SUPREME COURT, WHICH INTERVENORS SUCCESSFULLY OPPOSED IN 2022.

LEGAL AID SOCIETY OF SAN MATEO COUNTY (LASSMC) V. DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE, ET AL.SACRAMENTO SUPERIOR COURT, CASE NO.34-2013-80001449LONG BEFORE CALIFORNIA REDEVELOPMENT AGENCIES WERE DISSOLVED, LASSMC ENTERED INTO A CONTRACT REQUIRING THE CITY OF SAN MATEO AND THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY TO PROVIDE $11 MILLION FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING. AFTER DISSOLUTION, THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE CLAIMED THE CONTRACT WAS NOT ENFORCEABLE. LASSMC FILED SUIT CHALLENGING THIS CLAIM AND RECEIVED A PUBLISHED COURT OF APPEAL OPINION FINDING AN LASSMC'S FAVOR AND ORDERING DOF TO APPROVE OVER $10 MILLION IN FUNDS BE RETURNED TO THE SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE FORMER REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY FOR THE SOLE USE OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING. WE ALSO WERE ABLE TO COUNTER ATTEMPTS TO HAVE THE OPINION DEPUBLISHED.

LANGLEY V. CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO, C.D.. CAL CASE NO. SA21CV07479-25-CJCLITIGATION ATTACKING THE CITY'S PRACTICE OF CLEARING ENCAMPMENTS AND CAMPING ON PUBLIC PROPERTY AS A VIOLATION OF STATE AND FEDERAL CONSTITUTIONAL PROHIBITIONS AGAINST CRUEL AND UNUSUAL PUNISHMENT. WE REPRESENT FIVE UNHOUSED RESIDENTS OF SAN LUIS OBISPO AND A LOCAL NONPROFIT HOPE'S VILLAGE SLO IN THIS LAWSUIT. WE FILED THE COMPLAINT IN MID-SEPTEMBER 2021, FOLLOWING MULTIPLE ROUNDS OF DEMANDS TO THE CITY AND A FAILED MEDIATION, AND ARE MOVING THROUGH THE PROCESS OF ACTIVE DISCOVERY.