Nelson Mullins recently received Legal Aid SoCal’s Pro Bono Service Award in recognition of its commitment to shrinking the justice gap, partner Rich Otera’s personal contributions to the board of Community Legal Aid SoCal, and the firm’s role in staffing expungement clinics and helping low-income tenants seeking help with eviction.

The firm also received their Pro Bono Partner of the Year Award in recognition of Nelson Mullins’ participation in Community Legal Aid’s Advocacy Advisory Council, a broad coalition of attorneys, stakeholders, and subject matter experts who help evaluate and identify potential litigations, brainstorm creative legal solutions, and provide technical assistance for litigation in process. The Advocacy Council has counseled on matters which include a successful appellate challenge to California precedent compelling individuals in domestic violence shelters to disclose their location for purposes of service of process; potential litigation against an incorporated city in Orange County which was openly violating state mandates regarding availability of affordable housing; and advocacy regarding the absence of fee waiver eligibility for court reporter fees for litigants who qualify for general fee waivers. 

Legal Services Corporation is a federal non-profit corporation established by the United States Congress to ensure equal access to justice under the law by providing funding for civil legal aid services. Members of the LSC Board are appointed by the President of the United States and confirmed by the Senate. Given the importance of this federal agency and its support for Legal Aid organizations across the country, this is an enormous honor for the firm.