Free Legal Workshops and Clinics

We provide free workshops and clinics on a variety of civil legal topics relevant to the communities we serve.

At the clinics, an attorney will evaluate the client’s legal issue. Clients will receive assistance preparing their legal paperwork and are given advice, counsel, and detailed information about the legal process related to their specific legal problem.

At the workshops, attendees will receive information about their particular legal issue.

For a comprehensive list of our workshop and clinic offerings and information about registering, see the details for each below.

Family Law Assistance

Compton Courthouse Domestic Violence Clinic

Open every morning, Monday through Friday, from 9 AM – 12 PM
It is a walk-in clinic, no appointments.

Whittier Courthouse Domestic Violence Clinic

Open on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 9 AM – 12 PM.
It is a walk-in clinic, no appointments.

Note: To make appointments for remote assistance with Domestic Violence Restraining Orders, call the Hotline number 800-834-5001.

Housing

Remote Eviction Defense Clinic

Advice and help with an eviction for qualifying clients.

Appointments every Tuesday & Thursday at 9:30am, 10:15am, and 1:30pm
To register, please call the Hotline at 800-834-5001.

Consumer Defense

Consumer Debt Defense Workshop (Orange County)

Community Legal Aid SoCal and Public Law Center co-host a weekly hybrid workshop that provides consumers with an overview of the debt collection process, your rights as a consumer debtor, legal options, how to answer a collections complaint, how to file, the litigation process, trial preparation, and common settlement strategies.

Held on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Wednesday of each month
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM (English and Spanish)
To register, please fill out this form, email us at consumerworkshopoc@clsocal.org, or call us at 657-261-8811 and leave a message with the following information:

-Your name
-City and zip code
-Phone number
-Email address

In order to participate in the workshop, you must register via the form above or by phone.

Bankruptcy Clinic

Held both in-person and remotely via Zoom from 9:30 AM – 12 PM
Remote clinics are held on the 2nd Wednesday of the month
In-person clinics rotate between Santa Ana office on the 4th Wednesday of the month and Compton office on the 1st Friday of the month.
To register, please call the Hotline at 800-834-5001

Public Benefits

Social Security Clinic

Held in-person, one Friday a month
Begins at 1:30 PM
To register, please call the Hotline at 800-834-5001.

Expungement

Expungement Clinic

At this clinic we can help Orange and Los Angeles County residents with eligible criminal records in California and non-Orange County or non-Los Angeles residents if they have eligible criminal records in Orange or Los Angeles County.

Held remotely on the 3rd Saturday of the month
9:30 AM – 12 PM
To register, please call the Hotline at 800-834-5001.

Small Claims

Small Claims Advisory Workshops

These workshops are free and open to the public. Registration is required.

Topic: How to Start a Small Claims Case, held in person at 10 a.m. on first and third Friday of the month and on Zoom at 10 a.m. on the second and fourth Friday of the month.
Topic: Collecting a Small Claims Judgment via Zoom on Tuesdays at 3:00 p.m. Registration required.

To register, please call us at 714-571-5277 or 800-963-7717 or email smallclaimsworkshop@clsocal.org.

How Can I Contact an Attorney?

You can call our Hotline at 714-571-5200 or 800-834-5001 or apply online. You may also reach our individual offices here.

How Do I know If I am Eligible for Your Services?

Please call the Hotline for an official eligibility screening or apply online. Eligibility is dependent on a number of things:

Income: Generally, clients must be at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guideline.
Assets: For those between 125% and 200% of the Federal Poverty Guideline, an asset limit of $50,000 per individual and $5,000 per each additional household member is generally imposed.
Area of Residence: We provide assistance to residents of Orange County and the following cities of Southeast Los Angeles: Artesia, Bell, Bell Gardens, Bellflower, Carson (some areas), Cerritos, Compton, Cudahy, Downey, Hawaiian Gardens, Hollydale, Huntington Park, Lynwood, Maywood, Norwalk, Paramount, South Gate, Walnut Park and Willowbrook.