Cy Pres Award from Chavez And Gertler

LACLJ recently received a cy pres award in the matter of Scherer v. Duke Energy (Wood Group) Settlement. We express our deep gratitude to Jonathan E. Gertler of Chavez and Gertler LLP for directing these funds to LACLJ.

Cy pres funds are derived when class action funds are unallocated, unclaimed or undeliverable. The court may distribute those funds to nonprofit legal organizations through the doctrine of cy pres (from the French meaning “as near as possible”). In 2001, the California legislature clarified that unpaid funds in class actions shall be subject to cy pres distribution to nonprofit organizations providing civil legal services to the indigent. In fact, many federal courts have concluded that legal organizations and law schools are the “next best” alternative for receipt of unclaimed settlement funds.

At LACLJ, we focus on providing direct legal services to the indigent, as defined by the State Bar of California. We are involved in policy and impact work, but any cy pres funds will be used to provide legal representation to low-income families immediately. LACLJ provides high level, client focused services. Ninety-two percent of our funds are used for direct program services. We perform all of our client intake interviews in person, not over the phone. We pride ourselves on providing high quality legal services for the most disenfranchised: very low income, immigrants, survivors of violence, youth, and the disabled.

If you would like more information on how to direct cy pres funds to LACLJ, contact Hellen Hong at hellen@laclj.org.