2022-2023 Pro Bono Program Review

O’Melveny Helps Texas Renter Prevail in Eviction Suit

At Stake

Collaborators

The Outcome

A woman’s housing security

Houston Volunteer Lawyers

O’Melveny’s client avoided homelessness

As part of a firmwide effort to prevent and combat homelessness, O’Melveny twice represented a Texas woman in eviction suits filed by her landlord, who had refused to make necessary repairs to her apartment. When she withheld rent, her landlord sought to evict her and collect back rent. After the tenant lost an eviction proceeding, O’Melveny represented her in an appeal to the County Court at Law. O’Melveny’s motion for a directed verdict was granted after the landlord failed to show he had provided a mandatory “notice to vacate.”

The landlord then filed a second eviction proceeding, again seeking unpaid back rent. At trial, the judge barred most of the landlord’s unpaid rent claim because it had been previously litigated. O’Melveny negotiated a manageable payment plan for the balance, and the client was able to relocate, avoiding homelessness.

portion of pro bono hours in US firm offices (as a % of total hours worked) in 2023 6.7%

Combatting Homelessness Across the nation, and especially in California, homelessness has become a crisis. O’Melveny is working to address homelessness by combatting unjust evictions, ensuring those in need receive the benefits to which they are entitled, and engaging in unique litigation, research, and advocacy to prevent homelessness and address its numerous causes. O’Melveny has worked closely with Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass to solicit, train, and deploy more pro bono attorneys than ever to advise and represent families facing homelessness.

To learn more about the close relationship between housing justice and racial justice, please scan this QR code to view a video that urges volunteers to commit to what may be the most important social issue of our time.

PRO BONO PROGRAM REVIEW 2022-2023

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