Pro Bono | Home - Horvitz & Levy LLP

We are committed to public service. Many of our attorneys devote substantial time to bar association and judicial committees and legal education. Most importantly, the firm regularly makes its appellate expertise available in a varied array of pro bono appellate cases.

Horvitz & Levy partners supervise the Ninth Circuit Appellate Advocacy Clinic at the Pepperdine Caruso School of Law, helping to educate the next generation of lawyers and acting as co-counsel for clients in pro bono civil rights appeals. The firm has also handled appeals—as counsel both for parties and for amici curiae in the United States and California Supreme Courts, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the California Court of Appeal—on behalf of or in conjunction with such groups as the Family Violence Appellate Project, Harriett Buhai Center for Family Law, The Alliance for Children’s Rights, and Public Counsel. Our pro bono appellate cases have included issues concerning parental and children’s rights, protecting victims of domestic violence, foster care benefits, access to the courts to seek child support, political asylum, the appellate rights of prisoners litigating civil cases without counsel, and the right of indigent litigants to waivers of court fees.

Contact Emily V. Cuatto for more information about our Pro Bono practice.

*Please note that as appellate counsel, Horvitz & Levy does not directly handle matters, such as applications for domestic violence restraining orders, in the trial court.

Cooley v. Hernandez

California Court of Appeal reverses rulings that prevented a personal representative from settling a decedent’s lawsuit.

Guardianship of Saul H.

California Supreme Court reverses Court of Appeal, holding Horvitz & Levy's client is entitled to state court findings allowing him to apply to the federal government for Special Immigrant Juvenile status.

Coston v. Nangalama

Ninth Circuit orders a new trial on prisoner’s Eighth Amendment claim for denial of medical care

Shorter v. Baca

Ninth Circuit holds that former jail inmate is entitled to judgment as a matter of law on her excessive search and inadequate sanitation claims

Alvarez v. Silva

California Court of Appeal reverses mutual domestic violence restraining order entered against our client

Ashby v. Ashby

California Court of Appeal affirms renewal of domestic violence restraining order in favor of Horvitz & Levy’s pro bono client

Sernas v. Cantrell

Ninth Circuit reverses district court’s dismissal of prisoner’s civil rights claim

Riley v. Kernan

Ninth Circuit reinstates prisoner’s civil rights lawsuit on religious liberty grounds

Shia v. Shia

California Court of Appeal reverses spousal support award because trial court failed to consider domestic violence evidence

Byrd v. Phoenix Police Dep't

Ninth Circuit reverses dismissal of prisoner's civil rights claims.

Nance v. Miser

Ninth Circuit reverses dismissal of Muslim prisoner's religious liberty claims

Hahn v. Waddington

Ninth Circuit reverses dismissal of prisoner’s civil rights claims

Armstrong v. Kaplon

Ninth Circuit reaffirms that criminal restitution orders are not dischargeable in bankruptcy

Byrd v. Maricopa County Board of Supervisors

Ninth Circuit reverses dismissal of prisoner civil rights claims

Santos M. v. Superior Court of Los Angeles County

California Court of Appeal rules for H&L pro bono clients in family law dispute over eligibility for immigration relief

Sheehe v. Kihagi

California Court of Appeal rules for H&L pro bono client in rent control dispute

Garity v. APWU National Labor Organization

Ninth Circuit reverses dismissal of ADA lawsuit against union

Harbor Missionary Church Corporation v. City of San Buenaventura

Ninth Circuit reverses denial of preliminary injunction to permit church to keep homeless ministry open

Escobedo v. Apple American Group

Ninth Circuit issues published opinion for pro bono client, clarifies rules for indigent litigants.

Sio v. Lynch

Ninth Circuit overturns order to deport pro bono client.

Falcon v. Farley

Ninth Circuit reverses summary judgment against pro bono client in First Amendment Case.

Sqrow v. A.G.M.G.H. Five, the Ranch Limited Partnership

California Court of Appeal permits low-income seniors to proceed with challenge to 144-percent rent increase.

R.R. v. H.F.

California Court of Appeal orders trial court to enforce mother's rights to legal custody and reconsider her request for greater visitation with her now six-year-old child.

Gonzales v. California Department of Corrections

Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals reverses dismissal of civil rights claims.

Jimenez v. Holder

United States government dismisses removal proceedings against immigrant family.

S. R. v. Superior Court

Superior court grants domestic violence victim’s request for a waiver of court fees after Court of Appeal issues alternative writ of mandate.

In re Pineda

Horvitz & Levy petition to California Supreme Court results in reconsideration of ruling against abused minor.

Silverbrand v. County of Los Angeles

California Supreme Court extends “prison delivery rule” to notices of appeal in civil cases.

Durando v. County of Los Angeles

Adoptive parents of disabled children obtain public benefits.

The Alliance for Children's Rights v. L.A. County Dept. of Children & Family Services

California Court of Appeal upholds juvenile court’s authority to monitor social workers’ visitation of dependent foster children.

Reed v. United Teachers Los Angeles

California Court of Appeal amicus brief supporting settlement agreement that halted seniority-based layoffs in low performing schools.

Chavez v. City of Los Angeles

California Supreme Court amicus brief on behalf of public interest organizations in dispute over availability of attorney fees in low-damage discrimination cases.

Caso Campo Algodonero

Amici curiae brief in the Inter-American Court of Human Rights on behalf of various women's and human rights organizations, supporting claims against Mexico under the American Convention on Human Rights and the Inter-American Convention on the Prevention, Punishment, and Eradication of Violence Against Women.

Chen v. Mukasey

Ninth Circuit brief for a man denied asylum and relief from religious persecution under the Convention Against Torture.