(In Conjunction with Other California Programs) Combating Phony "Legal Aid" Organizations

Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles - 050009

Abstract Number: 050009

May 2005

Throughout California, a number of organizations, mostly for-profit paralegal services, use the name "Legal Aid." This causes enormous client confusion, as clients seeking free legal assistance are referred to these other organizations by the phone book and by 411 information operators. Using a coordinated strategy of litigation and technology, the California programs are attempting to combat the problem by redirecting clients to their offices rather than the phony "Legal Aid" organizations.

Legal Services of Northern California successfully sued one organization in their area, and obtained a published appellate opinion (See attachment below). Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles is currently suing a local offender for a variety of causes of action, including violation of a common law trademark in the name "Legal Aid."

On the technology front, the Legal Aid Society of San Diego, on behalf of the California LSC programs, applied for a grant to provide a single statewide phone number which would be automatically switched by the phone company to the correct LSC provider based on the location of the caller. Even though they were unsuccessful in obtaining the grant, they are exploring other options for technological solutions.

For more information of this project, please visit the link below.

Contact Information:

Toby Rothschild
Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles
1109 Crenshaw Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90019
Phone: (323) 801-7978
FAX: (323) 801-7945
trothschild@lafla.org

Additional Information:

• The Mark Brockey Decision  ( 192k)

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