Central California Legal Services

Organization Description

Central California Legal Services is a non-profit law firm. We provide free legal assistance to low income families and individuals in the following counties: Fresno, Kings, Mariposa, Merced, Tulare, and Tuolumne. The purpose of CCLS is to fight social injustice, to provide education and representation to the disadvantaged and to maintain access to the legal system.

Attorneys & Law Firms

The Pro Bono Program (PBP) is the primary vehicle for pro bono legal assistance delivered to low-income individuals and families in Central California. Our clients are the working poor, immigrants, families with young children, the disabled, veterans, victims of domestic violence and elder abuse, seniors and other low-income individuals. PBP, a project of Central California Legal Services, Inc. (CCLS), supports attorneys and law firms who donate their time and/or resources in providing legal assistance to low-income individuals and families. The mission of the CCLS Pro Bono Program is to improve the quality of life of low-income residents of Central California by ensuring ready access to a panel of skilled volunteer attorneys to resolve serious legal problems. Individual attorneys and law firms provide invaluable pro bono assistance to our clients every day through legal clinics and limited scope and direct representation on individual cases and actions involving major litigation.

 

CCLS provides legal advice and representation to eligible individuals in the following areas:

• Family Law

• Immigration Law

• Consumer Law

• Housing/Community Economic Development

• Public Benefits

• Senior/Estate Planning

• Health

 

There are many advantages for attorneys seeking to engage in Pro Bono Legal work:

 

Qualified Pro Bono

To receive free legal services from CCLS, all clients must meet the income and eligibility guidelines as set forth in the regulations of the Legal Services Corporation (LSC). Clients must also meet citizenship or alien guidelines as outlined in LSC regulations (see 45 C.F.R. § § 1626.5 et seq.).

Screening

CCLS attorneys carefully screen potential pro bono cases for viable causes of action or defenses to ensure that your clients will be able to actively participate in their cases.

 

Malpractice Insurance

CCLS provides you with primary malpractice insurance coverage for all work conducted on behalf of CCLS clients, so that CCLS'S coverage takes effect before your coverage and deductible.

 

Transcript Reimbursement

Clients placed by PBP with pro bono attorneys may qualify for reimbursement of deposition and trial transcript costs through the Transcript Reimbursement Fund (Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code sections 8030.2-8030.8).

 

Fee Waiver

A majority of our pro bono clients qualify for a waiver of court costs and fees under California Rules of Court, Rule 985 and Cal. Gov. Code section 68511.3. If a clerk or bench officer denies a fee-waiver application, please contact us for assistance.

 

Discounts/Free Access to MCLE Seminars

Pro bono attorneys who represent CCLS clients on a pro bono basis are eligible to receive discounts or free access to MCLE seminars. Please contact the PBP Team at probono@centralcallelgal.org for further information on how to take part in these MCLE seminars.

 

Technical Assistance

For the majority of cases handled by our pro bono volunteers, PBP also provides access to mentor attorneys, poverty law experts, and other professional volunteers to support you throughout your representation.

 

For more information about the PBP and pro bono cases that are available with CCLS, please contact the Pro Bono Program Team at probono@centralcallegal.org or call 559-570-1200.