Morrison Foerster Pro Bono Team Works to Support LA Community After Wildfires

Morrison Foerster Pro Bono Counsel Rachel Williams and Dorothy Fernandez have been part of the core group of members of the Disaster Legal Assistance Collaborative (DLAC), a California-wide collaboration that the firm helped to launch more than a decade ago. DLAC members plan in advance of disasters, so they can provide legal assistance when a disaster strikes. In particular, they harness resources to support legal aid providers who are on the front lines of helping survivors. As some of the most destructive fires in California’s history burned many parts of southern California, Rachel and Dorothy acted swiftly to provide support and legal resources to DLAC members in the impacted areas. They were helped by several attorneys and staff in the firm who pitched in to update resources.

The team finalized and published updated information for survivors and legal advocates, which is available on DLAC’s website. The resources are also being used by volunteers who are staffing legal assistance tables at Disaster Recovery Centers in LA County.

MoFo attorneys also volunteered to assist at legal clinics for survivors seeking advice on FEMA claims and housing questions, among other issues. These clinics are being coordinated by local nonprofits including Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County.

In addition to MoFo’s pro bono efforts to support the LA community, the MoFo Foundation has supported DLAC and has also provided direct funding to several of its member legal services organizations.