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Loeb Steps Up to Support Communities Affected by Los Angeles Wildfires
In response to the devastating wildfires throughout Los Angeles, Loeb has mobilized to support those in need. While the full scope of the legal needs for those impacted continues to unfold, our lawyers and staff are actively stepping up to help our communities as opportunities arise.
Thus far, Loeb lawyers and staff have volunteered at both in-person and virtual clinics hosted by legal aid organizations such as Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles, Bet Tzedek, the Veterans Legal Institute and Pepperdine Caruso School of Law. Through these various clinics, our team continues to provide support to those affected by the wildfires, including assisting individuals with their applications for aid from FEMA, a federal agency that offers support to individuals and communities affected by disasters; helping with landlord-tenant disputes, including challenges faced by displaced tenants (such as uninhabitable homes); addressing insurance- and employment-related questions; and tackling other critical issues. Additionally, our lawyers are collaborating with Bet Tzedek to develop a “Know Your Rights” presentation for displaced tenants.
We continue to monitor opportunities to further support the victims of these disasters. If you are interested in participating in one of our LA fire disaster relief clinics, please contact Loeb Pro Bono Director Meredith Madnick.
Loeb Publishes Legal Resource Guide on California Wildfire Emergency Executive Orders
In late January, Loeb Corporate associate Nick Warshaw published a client alert summarizing the emergency executive orders enacted by California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and President Donald Trump in response to the unprecedented wildfires in Los Angeles County. The alert highlights the key elements of the governor’s, mayor’s and president’s orders, providing a valuable resource, particularly for those directly impacted by the fires. While not a comprehensive listing of all orders or requirements, the Loeb team will continue to update this guide as the situation evolves.
Please click here to view the resource guide, and feel free to share it with anyone who may find it helpful.
Loeb Achieves Pro Bono Asylum Victory for Turkish Refugee After Eight-Year Journey
Loeb & Loeb recently secured asylum for a refugee from Turkey following an eight-year wait. The Loeb Pro Bono team, in partnership with the international human rights organization Human Rights First, represented a former Turkish police officer who was placed on a government “blacklist” and wrongly accused of being associated with a movement that the Turkish government labeled as a terrorist organization. Following the 2016 coup attempt, the government issued a decree firing thousands of police officers—including our client—over alleged connections to the purported terrorist group. The government issued a separate decree firing our client’s wife from her job for similar reasons. Since then, the government has imprisoned our client’s sister and brother-in-law and several friends, also for similar reasons.
Our client, who originally came to the U.S. for academic pursuits and earned a doctorate, filed for asylum in 2016. After an interview with the U.S. government in late 2021, delays in scheduling a follow-up interview pushed the process further out. After Human Rights First filed a petition for a writ of mandamus in federal court, the government scheduled and conducted the re-interview, ultimately approving the asylum application in late 2024.