Glaser Weil remains firm in its long-standing involvement with charities and civic organizations throughout California, where the Firm's lawyers serve as trustees, commissioners, members of boards of directors, and in other capacities.
Recent Pro Bono Initiatives
Family Preparedness Workshop and Clinic
Glaser Weil partnered with Bet Tzedek and the office of Assemblymember Miguel Santiago to host a Family Preparedness Workshop and Clinic designed to inform parents about the steps they need to take to ensure their child’s safety, well-being and care should the parents be removed from the United States. The greater Los Angeles community faces the possibility of an unprecedented crisis, with thousands of children living in “mixed-status families” (i.e., families where at least one parent is undocumented and therefore at risk of removal from the United States), creating the possibility of these children being left without anyone with the legal authority to care for the child or the ability to address critical issues such as enrolling a child in school or authorizing medical treatment. At the clinic, the Firm’s attorneys, along with Bet Tzedek’s staff and volunteers, assisted parents in drafting simple but critical documents, such as Caregiver Affidavits, and other documents that can serve as a safety net for their children.
Domestic Violence Cases
Glaser Weil has partnered with the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles (LAFLA) to assist with cases involving domestic violence restraining orders. LAFLA offered an MCLE-eligible training for the Firm’s attorneys regarding representation of clients who previously obtained temporary restraining orders and who need assistance preparing for and appearing at hearings to determine whether the temporary order should be extended. The Firm’s attorneys learned that these domestic violence restraining order hearings resemble mini-trials, and as in many of the cases the Firm handles generally, evidence is presented in the same way as in a civil trial - through witness testimony and admission of documentary evidence, which generally includes police reports, photos and medical records.
Unaccompanied Minors Seeking Asylum
Glaser Weil works with Esperanza Immigrant Rights Project (Esperanza) to advocate on behalf of unaccompanied minors seeking asylum. Esperanza offered an MCLE-eligible training at the Firm’s Century City office regarding these cases, whereby attorneys assist unaccompanied minors who entered the United States prepare an asylum application process, prepare the minor for the interview, and then accompany the minor to his/her hearing before an asylum officer with USCIS.
Glaser Weil attorneys also regularly volunteer at evening clinics including:
- LAFLA’s Skid Row Clinic in Downtown Los Angeles
- LAFLA’s Santa Monica Night Clinic
Glaser Weil’s Pro Bono Program is co-chaired by Partner Matthew Jann and Associate Olivia Weiss.