Standing strong in crisis: Our response to the Los Angeles wildfires

For 20 years, DLA Piper has provided pro bono assistance to individuals, organizations, and small businesses that have been impacted by natural disasters and crises, including Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, Katrina, and Maria; earthquakes in Mexico; and the global COVID-19 pandemic. Disaster survivors often face significant legal needs related to housing, food, vital documents, and access to benefits, with low-income individuals facing more obstacles in their path to recovery.

In response to the recent fires in Los Angeles, DLA Piper has mobilized to support those affected.

Our work has included:

• Assisting an educational business with lease termination and addressing employment-related issues


• Researching rent-gouging laws and tenant protections to help prevent exploitation during periods of crisis


• Drafting template letters to inform landlords of rent increase restrictions and help ensure compliance with rent-gouging protections


• Supporting a church in refinancing loans for buildings that were destroyed


• Assisting a performing arts studio in terminating its lease


• Advising a fitness business on its lease obligations, liability for unpaid rent, and the landlord’s responsibility for fire damage remediation


• Evaluating private and public sector financing options for affected small businesses


• Staffing clinics organized by Bet Tzedek, Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County, and the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles to address matters related to housing, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), procurement of key documents, and more


• Researching Homeowners Association contractual provisions that could affect reconstruction


• Preparing wellness kits for 100 low-income wildfire survivors

“At a time when many of our neighbors and small businesses that contribute so much to our city need it most, we are glad to lend our real estate legal skills to assist with the commercial leasing and housing issues faced by wildfire survivors. We will continue to support the community as it rebuilds in the months and years ahead, by extending what we do every day for corporate and real estate clients to pro bono clients adversely affected by natural disaster.”

– Partner Mitchel Regenstreif (Los Angeles)