Pro Public Law Center Matters Bono Spring 2005 The Newsletter of the Public Law Center Affordable Housing in Orange County - Still an Oxymoron ecent stories in the local press noted a new milestone in Orange County 34 local jurisdictions in Orange County allows far too many of them to point the – median home prices again had hit a record high. It was another sign finger of blame at someone else. The result is an economic form of apartheid – Rthat the Orange County economy has recovered from the downturn of the poor live in certain parts of the county, in woefully overcrowded conditions, several years ago. while other parts of the county hope that by ignoring the problem of poverty it It was telling that those articles made little mention of what that milestone will go away. It won’t. means for low-income Orange County residents. According to the County of And neither will PLC. That’s why we’re popping up at a variety of places Orange’s recently released Community Indicators Report, only 11% of Orange advocating for our clients. In any given week, our housing attorney Eileen County households can afford to purchase a home at the median level. The situ- McCarthy will find herself at several meetings of local planning commissions, ation for renters is even worse. The county’s report indicates that a minimum redevelopment agencies and city councils. The particular housing issues vary wage earning worker would need to work 125 hours each week in order to afford jurisdiction by jurisdiction, but the basic message is the same – state law and a one-bedroom apartment. That works out to about 18 hours of work a day, seven fundamental fairness require that more than lip service be paid to affordable days a week. It is obvious from these statistics that affordable housing is far housing concerns. Fortunately, colleagues at places like the Legal Aid Society of beyond the reach of Orange County’s low-wage workers. Orange County and the Kennedy Commission, a local affordable housing advo- Low-income people in Orange County struggle daily to make ends meet cacy group, help share the daunting task of addressing the myriad housing working at low paying jobs, oftentimes more than one, while at the same time, issues scattered throughout our county. working with local schools or career centers to find a better job to make a better But as in any other area of PLC’s work, we can’t begin to address the con- life for themselves and their families. Those same residents spend significant cerns of our low-income clients in the affordable housing arena without help from portions of their day trying to deal with a dizzying array of problems – accessing volunteers – be they lawyers, law students, college students or others. Contact health care, dealing with domestic violence, figuring out the transportation sys- us at [email protected] to find out how you can get involved. tem, the list goes on and on. And the day ends with sleeping in one of the scarce shelter beds to be found in the County, or – more likely, in a car, a motel, a garage or on the street. Obviously, there’s no ready solution to the complex problems facing those with few economic means. Nowhere is that more true than with housing. An article by Tim Paone of Manatt Phelps & Phillips in the April edition of Orange County Lawyer points out that vocal NIMBYs (“Not In My Back Yard”) com- bined with a lack of local political will have stood as strong barriers to attempts to meaningfully address the affordable housing crisis. And the fact that there are Contact Fran Marshall SAVE THE DATES for more information [email protected] Sunday, June 12, 2005 Thursday, July 21, 2005 PLC’s 2nd Annual PLC’s Annual Volunteer Recognition Dinner Day at the Races Celebrating PLC’s pro bono volunteers and Honoring Public Law Center Hollywood Park - Turf Club those who give exceptional service 601 Civic Center Drive West • Santa Ana, CA 92701-4002 12 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Hyatt Regency Irvine (714) 541-1010 • www.publiclawcenter.org 5:30 pm Reception and Silent Auction 7:00 pm Dinner and Program Published by Parabolica Publishing, LLC (714) 236-8676 Pro Bono Matters 1 New Faces at PLC Board of Directors Mission Statement Local Nonprofit brings Farmers’ Markets and The Public Law Center’s Board of Directors saw the addition of three superb new members earlier this year. Andrew J. Guilford Roger A. Grable The Public Law Center, Orange Revitalization to Santa Ana and La Habra Dimetria A. Jackson is Vice President, Rigoberto Rodriguez is a doctoral candidate in Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP County's pro bono law firm, is committed to Corporate Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer and the field of Urban Political Geography at the Hampton LLP providing access to justice for low-income ust six months ago, the Nelson A. Rockefeller Institute of Government’s “Update on Hardship” named Secretary for First American Trust, FSB. She is University of Southern California. He is active in a President Nicola T. Hanna residents. Through volunteers and staff, the Santa Ana the hardest city in the United States to live in. The study was based on six factors: unem- active in a number of Orange County Bar variety of different issues involving Latinos in Santa Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP Public Law Center provides free civil legal Jployment, overcrowded living conditions, education levels, number of dependents per household, per- Association committees and is a member of the State Ana and is an appointed member of the City of Robert S. Wolfe services, including counseling, individual centage living below the federal poverty level, and per capita income level. This is stark contrast to the Bar’s Committee on Ethnic Minority Relations. Santa Ana’s Community Redevelopment & Vice President Dimetria A. Jackson representation, community education, and wealthier cities of Orange County displayed in the media. Nevertheless, a local nonprofit organization First American Trust Dimetria also represents the OCBA on the Planning Commission. He has worked with Orange Robert S. Knudsen strategic litigation and advocacy to chal- strives to create change and revitalize Orange County’s inner city. California Minority Counsel Program’s (CMCP) County Future Search Network, the Orange County PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP lenge societal injustices. Pearl Jemison-Smith The Grain Project (www.grainproject.org), based in Santa Ana, is working to improve the lives of low- Steering Committee. Children & Families Commission and the Delhi Treasurer income residents in Orange County. The Grain Project’s purpose is to promote united, healthy and sustain- Mark P. Robinson, Jr. is a senior partner in the Center in Santa Ana. Mimi Justice able communities through certified farmers’ markets, community gardens for seniors and children, education firm of Robinson, Calcagnie & Robinson. He is a Deborah E. Arbabi PLC’s staff also saw a number of outstanding Deloitte & Touche about health and nutrition, and public art projects. PLC’s Community Organizations Legal Assistance well-known and respected trial lawyer who has Crowell & Moring LLP additions.. Project (COLAP) was able to assist The Grain Project by counseling the organization through the nonprof- devoted his legal career to product safety. He is a Secretary Christopher M. Leo Public Law Center Staff it startup process. The Grain Project’s staff attended a workshop on forming a charitable nonprofit corpora- former president of the Consumer Attorneys of Fran Marshall is PLC’s new Director of Fund Todd D. Irby Office of Supervisor Lou tion through the Volunteer Center and presented by Keith Nagayama, coordinator of COLAP. COLAP then California and of the Orange County Bar Development. Fran, who has a Masters in Public Correa The Duffy Law Firm Kenneth W. Babcock reviewed the organization’s articles of incorporation and bylaws and drafted their conflicts of interest policy Association Charitable Fund. He has received Administration, has extensive management, Executive Committee Member Executive Director & General Counsel and application for tax exemption. numerous awards, including having been named by fundraising and strategic planning experience as a James W. Meeker The Grain Project plans to open farmers’ markets in La Habra and downtown Santa Ana in late Spring California Law Business in 2001 as one of the ten result of spearheading numerous organizations and Crystal S. Needham University of California, Irvine Gary McGaha 2005. The farmers’ markets will bring fresh produce, dietary education, volunteer opportunities, and eco- most influential lawyers in the state. academic programs, including her role as Executive Edison Mission Energy Thomas J. Peterson Directing Attorney nomic activity. Unlike many farmers markets in Orange County, The Grain Project will accept food stamps Executive Committee Member Continued on PG. 8 AIDS Services Foundation in addition to cash so that low-income residents can more easily shop at the farmers’ markets. PLC looks for- Nhan T. Vu Peri Doshi-O’Neill ward to continuing to assist the organization as it grows in the Orange County community. Chapman University School of Gary M. Pohlson Eileen McCarthy OPPORTUNITES TO HAVE A POWERFUL IMPACT Law Pohlson & Moorhead Julie A. McCormick Executive Committee Member You can make a powerful difference in people’s free legal services provided by PLC staff and volun- Carole E. Reagan Liz Pejeau lives and in the community, as a member of the PLC teers in 2004, is valued at over $8.7 million. Indeed, Philip D. Kohn Morrison & Foerster LLP Lisa D. Ramirez family. Your PLC partnership is an active way to for every $1 of PLC resources spent we are able to From the Executive Director Rutan & Tucker, LLP Hien C.