National Pro Bono week is dedicated to showcasing those that make a difference to the nation, its system of justice, its communities, and most of all, to the clients they serve. In celebration of National Pro Bono week, the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles (LAFLA), along with the Asian Pacific American Women Lawyers Alliance (APAWLA), the Korean American Bar Association (KABA), the Japanese American Bar Association (JABA), the Southern California Chinese Lawyers Association (SCCLA), the Thai American Bar Association (TABA) and the South Asian Bar Association of Southern California (SABA-SC) are sponsoring two CLE trainings to encourage more attorneys to help meet the dire legal needs of LAFLA's clients.

Wednesday, October 23, 2013 | 6:30pm-8:30pm
Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles
1102 Crenshaw Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90019

Cost: $10 to cover the cost of dinner

All trainees are expected to take on a pro bono case within one year - either representation at a DV restraining order hearing or an eviction defense hearing.

Unlawful Detainer/Eviction Defense Training
This 1.5-hour training will provide an overview of landlord/tenant law, procedure and defenses related to unlawful detainer proceedings, and the Los Angeles Rent Stabilization Ordinance as it relates to evictions. Attorneys will have the opportunity to take on eviction defense cases and appear at trial. The volunteer commitment is approximately 30 to 50 hours. The trainer is Tamara Kinyanjul, Attorney in the Eviction Defense Unit at LAFLA.

Domestic Violence Restraining Order and VAWA Training
This 2-hour training will provide an overview of (1) the Domestic Violence Protection Act and how to represent a client at a Restraining Order hearing and (2) an overview of Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) laws and how to represent a client with a VAWA petition. LAFLA assists domestic violence survivors obtain initial restraining orders. These orders are usually obtained without notice to the abuser and are in force for a short time. These hearings offer a unique opportunity for pro bono attorneys to change lives, while obtaining courtroom experience. VAWA petitions allow victims of domestic violence to obtain legal status and other benefits not normally available to them. Pro Bono attorneys will have the opportunity to assist victims with preparing the VAWA petitions which normally do not require a court appearance. The average volunteer time commitment for DV cases is about 10 to 20 hours during a one to one-and-a-half-month period. The average volunteer time commitment for VAWA cases is 30 to 50 hours during a one-year period. The trainers of this session are Ann Kim and Joann Lee, who are attorneys in the API Unit of LAFLA.

LAFLA is the oldest and one of the largest frontline law firms for more than 2 million poor and low-income people in the greater Los Angeles area. For over 80 years, LAFLA has been providing civil legal services to poor and low-income people through its six neighborhood offices, three Domestic Violence Clinics and four Self-Help Legal Access Centers. LAFLA is the first place that thousands of poor people turn to when they need legal assistance for a crisis that threatens their shelter, health and livelihood. Nearly 12,000 individuals and families are provided with legal services annually and an additional 35,000 litigants are helped through LAFLA's four Self-Help Legal Access Centers. Another 20,000 are assisted through referrals, workshops and community outreach activities.