Our thoughts are with all those impacted by the California wildfires.  We know that many of our members have been either uprooted, threatened or subject to power outages during this trying time. 

 

CLA, as part of our Access to Justice Initiative, is working to recruit volunteers who can help provide pro bono legal assistance, answer calls or assist with educational workshops. Regardless of where you are located, your assistance may be needed.

 

Sign up to volunteer

 

Attorneys will be needed to help staff information hotlines and provide direct legal services through various California legal services programs and area law schools. Attorneys may also be needed to help supervise law students who can provide service.  Click here to sign up.

 

Resources

 

Free Access to Fastcase Legal Research is available to attorneys or volunteers in need. Members of the California Lawyers Association, Alameda County Bar Association or San Fernando Bar Association may log into their bar association account and access the benefit through their respective association. For volunteers or paralegals without traditional access to this benefit may sign up for a 24 hour free trial  or contact Fastcase at relief@fastcase.com for additional support. 

 

Morrison and Foerster LLP has created comprehensive guides to help victims in disasters. Helping guides for these recent fires are expected soon, but reading the 2018 fire booklets will be instructive.  

 

Disaster Legal Aid Collaborative (DLAC) has training videos and resources available to train attorney volunteers and provide information to the public.  Information can be found here.

 

The State Bar of California has set up a resource page

 

CLA and the Legal Aid Association of California (LAAC) just presented a session on providing legal services after a disaster at CLA’s Annual Meeting in Monterey.  We will make this 1-hour session available at no cost to help you prepare for pro bono service.  Please check back for the link once it has been posted to our catalog.