Other Resources
Select a topic or type of organization below for further information or assistance. For further information, see our legal Fact Sheets or contact the Workers’ Rights Clinics.
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Hiring | Termination | Job Loss +
also see: unemployment insurance, pay and hours, discrimination/harassment, lawyer referral services, small claims court
- Free Legal Service Workers’ Rights Clinics
- Legal Aid Society–Employment Law Center
- The Workers’ Rights Clinics provide free and confidential information to lower-income workers about their legal rights and the steps they may take to protect those rights. Clinic staff generally do not represent individuals in court.
- Three locations in the San Francisco Bay Area. Income Guidelines apply.
- Languages: Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin
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Pay and Hours +
- Free Legal Service Workers’ Rights Clinics
- Legal Aid Society–Employment Law Center
- The Workers’ Rights Clinics provide free and confidential information to lower-income workers about their legal rights and the steps they may take to protect those rights. Clinic staff generally do not represent individuals in court.
- Three locations in the San Francisco Bay Area. Income Guidelines apply.
- Languages: Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin
- CA Government Agency “Labor Commissioner” (Department of Industrial Relations, Division of Labor Standards Enforcement [DLSE])
- Claims accepted: Unpaid regular wages, overtime, vacation or bonuses (including improper exemption from overtime or classification as contractor); minimum wage violations; improper deduction or withholding practices; child labor; Other complaints re hours and conditions.
- Most individual claims for unpaid wages in California are filed with this agency.
- Languages: Spanish, Cantonese
- CA Government Agency Department of Industrial Relations, Division of Labor Standards Enforcement, Bureau of Field Enforcement
- Claims accepted: Wage & hour violations by employer, usually filed on behalf of a group of employees.
- US Government Agency Department of Labor, Wage & Hour Division
- Claims accepted: Minimum wage violations; unpaid wages and overtime; child labor; record keeping violations; retaliation for filing DOL claim; improper deductions; other complaints re hours and conditions.
- Work must involve “interstate commerce.” Employer may also have to meet Gross Sales test.
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Benefits +
also see: County Legal Aid Offices
- Free Legal Service Workers’ Rights Clinics
- Legal Aid Society–Employment Law Center
- The Workers’ Rights Clinics provide free and confidential information to lower-income workers about their legal rights and the steps they may take to protect those rights. Clinic staff generally do not represent individuals in court.
- Three locations in the San Francisco Bay Area. Income Guidelines apply.
- Languages: Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin
- CA Government Agency Employment Development Department (EDD)
- Claims accepted: California Paid Family Leave
- Languages: Spanish, Cantonese, Vietnamese, Armenian, Punjabi, Tagalog
- US Government Agency Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration
- Claims accepted: COBRA (continuing health benefits) violations, ERISA- and pension-related violations.
- CA Government Agency Managed Risk Medical Insurance Board
- Offers health insurance to Californians who are otherwise unable to secure health coverage.
- CA Government Agency Department of managed health care
- Claims accepted: receives complaints regarding health care service plans. The website has complaint forms and instructions online.
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Leaves | Time Off from Work +
- Free Legal Service Work & Family Project
- Legal Aid Society–Employment Law Center
- The Work & Family Project provides legal information and counseling to workers whose need to take leave to care for their own serious health condition or that of a child, parent, or spouse places them at risk of losing employment.
- Languages: Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin
- Provides brochures in Chinese, Vietnamese and Korean. (For English and Spanish, see the Employment Development Department below.)
- Also conducts Paid Family Leave workshops for non-union employers.
- Free Legal Service Equal Rights Advocates
- Call (800) 839-4372
- Free Legal Service for Unions Labor Project for Working Families
- Call (510) 643-7088
- Also conducts Paid Family Leave workshops for unions
- CA Government Agency Employment Development Department (EDD)
- Call (877)-BE-THERE
- Claims accepted: California Paid Family Leave
- Languages: Spanish, Cantonese, Vietnamese, Armenian, Punjabi, Tagalog
- Order brochures, fact sheets and claims forms in Spanish and English online
- US Government Agency Department of Labor, Wage & Hour Division
- Claims accepted: Violations of the Family and Medical Leave Act
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Unemployment Insurance +
also see: County Legal Aid Offices
- Free Legal Service Workers’ Rights Clinics
- Legal Aid Society–Employment Law Center
- The Workers’ Rights Clinics provide free and confidential information to lower-income workers about their legal rights and the steps they may take to protect those rights. Clinic staff generally do not represent individuals in court.
- Three locations in the San Francisco Bay Area. Income Guidelines apply.
- Languages: Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin
- CA Government Agency Employment Development Department (EDD)
- Claims Accepted: Unemployment Insurance
- Languages: Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin, Vietnamese
- CA Government Agency Employment Development Department (EDD)—Office of Appeals
- Schedules all appeals from denial of unemployment insurance benefits.
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Health and Safety | Job Injuries +
- Free Legal Service Workers’ Rights Clinics
- Legal Aid Society–Employment Law Center
- The Workers’ Rights Clinics provide free and confidential information to lower-income workers about their legal rights and the steps they may take to protect those rights. Clinic staff generally do not represent individuals in court.
- Three locations in the San Francisco Bay Area. Income Guidelines apply.
- Languages: Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin
- CA Government Agency Department of Industrial Relations, Division of Workers’ Compensation, Information & Assistance Bureau
- Handles questions about Workers’ compensation insurance claims.
- Language: Spanish
- CA Government Agency Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board
- Handles workers’ compensation discrimination claims. (Cal. Labor Code 132[9])
- US Government Agency U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Workers Compensation Programs (OWCP)
- Claims accepted: Workers’ compensation claims for federal employess.
- CA Government Agency Department of Industrial Relations, Division of Occupational Safety and Health (CAL-OSHA)
- Handles complaints about workplace safety conditions.
- CA Government Agency “Labor Commissioner” (Department of Industrial Relations, Division of Labor Standards Enforcement [DLSE])
- Handles claims of retaliation for filing a health and safety complaint.
- US Government Agency Occupational Safety & Health Administration
- Handles complaints from federal employees about workplace safety conditions and claims of retaliation for filing a complaint.
- US Government Agency Environmental Protection Agency
- Free Legal Service Labor and Occupational Health Program (LOHP), School of Public Health, U.C. Berkeley
- Video Tapes and Publications in Spanish and English on worker health and safety. Currently available for download from their website is “Workers’ Compensation in California: A Guidebook for Injured Workers” in English and Spanish. LOHP visits the workplace and makes recommendations for how to comply with OSHA standards.
- Language: Spanish
- Legal Representation / Advocacy Worksafe
- California-based organization that advocates for protective worker health and safety laws and effective remedies for injured workers, monitors government enforcement, and engages in campaigns to eliminate hazards and toxic chemicals from the workplace.
- UCSF Division of Occupational & Environmental Medicine
- Medical exams for on-the-job injury or illness.
- Occupational Stress Center, Institute for Labor and Mental Health
- 3137 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland, CA 94703 (510) 653-6166
- Staff consists of doctors, psychologists, and therapists. Evaluation for state disability and Workers’ comp; legal referrals. Sliding scale.
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Discrimination and Harassment +
- Free Legal Service Workers’ Rights Clinics
- Legal Aid Society–Employment Law Center
- The Workers’ Rights Clinics provide free and confidential information to lower-income workers about their legal rights and the steps they may take to protect those rights. Clinic staff generally do not represent individuals in court.
- Three locations in the San Francisco Bay Area. Income Guidelines apply.
- Languages: Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin
- US Government Agency Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
- Charges accepted: race; color; national origin; disability; gender; religion; pregnancy;marital status; age.
- Workplace must have 15+ employees. By appointment.
- Languages: Spanish, Cantonese
- CA Government Agency Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH)
- Charges accepted: race; color; national origin; ancestry; disability; gender; age; religion; pregnancy; marital status; medical condition (cancer); family/medical leave.
- Workplace must have 5+ employees for discrimination; no minimum size for harassment. By appointment.
- Language: Spanish
- CA Government Agency “Labor Commissioner” (Department of Industrial Relations, Division of Labor Standards Enforcement [DLSE])
- Charges accepted: Unequal pay based on gender; retaliation for reporting a safety violation, or for filing a wage claim. Workplace must have 5+ employees.
- Languages: Spanish, Cantonese
- US Government Agency Department of Labor, Wage & Hour Division
- Charges accepted: family/medical leave.
- Municipal Government Agency (San Francisco) Human Rights Commission
- Charges accepted: sexual orientation; HIV/AIDS/ARC. Staff investigates and attempts to mediate/resolve charges; provides counseling and technical assistance; information and referrals.
- Languages: American Sign Language (ASL) provided upon request, with 48-hour advance notice.
- US Government Agency Department of Labor, Office of Federal Contract Compliance
- Charges accepted: EEO noncompliance by federal contractors.
- Languages: no assistance available in a language other than English; bring a translator.
- US Government Agency Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, CA No. District
- Charges accepted: Discrimination involving force or threats of force; racial violence; slavery. Callers generally referred to “Civil Rights Hotline” in D.C.: (202) 514-3204.
- US Government Agency Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights
- Charges accepted: Discrimination in federally-funded education programs and institutions on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, or disability.
- US Government Agency Department of Health & Human Services, Office for Civil Rights
- Charges accepted: Discrimination in federally-funded health and human services programs on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, or disability. Covered programs include: hospitals, nursing homes, social service programs, welfare agencies.
- Municipal Government Agency (San Francisco) Civil Service Commission, EEO Unit
- Charges accepted: Discrimination against employees of city government.
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Disabilities +
- Free Legal Service Workers’ Rights Disability Law Clinic
- Legal Aid Society–Employment Law Center and the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund
- The Workers’ Rights Disability Law Clinic provides free and confidential legal advice, counseling, and information to workers and job seekers with disabilities. Priority is given to low-income individuals. Disability Law Workshops are free and open to the public on the 1st and 4th Tuesday of the month from 5:30pm–6:30pm. For schedule and more information, call (415) 864-8848.
- Clinics are held on Tuesday nights at the Ed Roberts Campus (3075 Adeline Street, Berkeley, 94703). Phone appointments are also available.
- By appointment only: call (415) 864-8848
- Languages: Spanish
- Free Legal Service Workers’ Rights Clinics
- Legal Aid Society–Employment Law Center
- The Workers’ Rights Clinics provide free and confidential information to lower-income workers about their legal rights and the steps they may take to protect those rights. Clinic staff generally do not represent individuals in court.
- Three locations in the San Francisco Bay Area. Income Guidelines apply.
- Languages: Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin
- CA Government Agency Employment Development Department (EDD)
- Claims Accepted: Temporary (State) Disability Insurance
- Languages: Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin, Vietnamese
- US Government Agency Social Security Administration
- Claims Accepted: Social Security (Permanent) Disability Insurance
- US Government Agency Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
- Charges accepted: disability-based discrimination and harassment
- Workplace must have 15+ employees. By appointment.
- Languages: Spanish, Cantonese
- CA Government Agency Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH)
- Charges accepted: disability-based discrimination and harassment
- Workplace must have 5+ employees for discrimination; no minimum size for harassment. By appointment.
- Language: Spanish
- Legal Representation AIDS Legal Referral Panel
- Serves people with AIDS, ARC, and HIV-positive status and their partners and family members. The Panel will listen to all requests, provide free consultations, do simple wills, powers of attorney and medical directives without charge.
- Free Legal Service Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund
- A national civil rights law and policy center directed by individuals with disabilities and parents who have children with disabilities. Advances civil and human rights of people with disabilities through legal advocacy, training, education, and public policy and legislative development.
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Language Rights +
- Free Legal Service Language Rights Project
- Legal Aid Society–Employment Law Center
- The Language Rights Project provides legal information and counseling to individuals who face language discrimination in employment, in government and business services, and in education.
- Languages: Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin
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Domestic Violence +
also see: County Legal Aid Offices
- Free Legal Service The Domestic Violence and Employment Project
- Legal Aid Society–Employment Law Center
- The Domestic Violence and Employment Project provides free legal information and assistance about employment rights to domestic violence survivors through its toll-free Helpline.
- Languages: Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin
- Resource for Advocates ABA Commission on Domestic & Sexual Violence
- American Bar Association
- The mission of the ABA Commission on Domestic & Sexual Violence is to increase access to justice for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking by mobilizing the legal profession.
- National Resource Center Workplaces Respond to Domestic and Sexual Violence
- A partnership of concerned organizations
- The Workplaces Respond to Domestic and Sexual Violence: A National Resource Center project offers information on the Internet for the benefit of those interested in providing effective workplace responses to victims of domestic violence, sexual violence, dating violence and stalking.
- Advocacy, Education, and Services Futures Without Violence
- Futures Without Violence, formerly Family Violence Prevention Fund, works to prevent and end violence against women and children around the world.
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Labor Unions +
- Free Legal Service Workers’ Rights Clinics
- Legal Aid Society–Employment Law Center
- The Workers’ Rights Clinics provide free and confidential information to lower-income workers about their legal rights and the steps they may take to protect those rights. Clinic staff generally do not represent individuals in court.
- Three locations in the San Francisco Bay Area. Income Guidelines apply.
- Languages: Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin
- US Government Agency National Labor Relations Board (NLRB)
- Claims accepted: Private employment union problems; collective bargaining contracts; duty of fair representation; union certification; changing unions; picket lines; discrimination related to union and organizing activities. No public employees (see PERB below).
- Languages: Spanish, some Chinese
- CA Government Agency Public Employee Relations Board (PERB)
- Claims accepted (state and local public employees only): Union problems, particularly within the California school system; union election oversight; arbitration; mediation of unfair labor practices.
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Types of Workers—Misclassified Workers +
- Free Legal Service Workers’ Rights Clinics
- Legal Aid Society–Employment Law Center
- The Workers’ Rights Clinics provide free and confidential information to lower-income workers about their legal rights and the steps they may take to protect those rights. Clinic staff generally do not represent individuals in court.
- Three locations in the San Francisco Bay Area. Income Guidelines apply.
- Languages: Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin
- CA Government Agency “Labor Commissioner” (Department of Industrial Relations, Division of Labor Standards Enforcement [DLSE])
- Claims accepted: Unpaid regular wages, overtime, vacation or bonuses, including improper exemption from overtime or classification as contractor.
- Most individual claims for unpaid wages in California are filed with this agency.
- Languages: Spanish, Cantonese
- CA Government Agency Department of Industrial Relations, Division of Labor Standards Enforcement, Bureau of Field Enforcement
- Claims accepted: Wage & hour violations by employer, usually filed on behalf of a group of employees.
- US Government Agency Department of Labor, Wage & Hour Division
- Claims accepted: Unpaid wages due to improper exemption from overtime or classification as contractor.
- Work must involve “interstate commerce.” Employer may also have to meet Gross Sales test.
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Mental Health +
- Emergency Services Suicide Prevention, Inc.
- 24-hour crisis line (415) 781-0500
- SPI does not call out. If necessary, call 911 for intervention.
- If there is no immediate threat but the client needs psychological support, they can call one of the resources below.
- Non-Emergency Services Mental Health Information & Referral
- 24-hour service: (415) 255-3737
- Non-Emergency Services United Way Help Line
- Monday-Friday, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm: (415) 772-HELP
- Spanish Mission Crisis Clinic
- (415) 554-9980
- Language: Spanish
- Cantonese/Mandarin Chinatown/North Beach Mental Health Services
- (415) 352-2000
- Languages: Mandarin, Cantonese
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Whistleblowing +
- Free Legal Service Workers’ Rights Clinics
- Legal Aid Society–Employment Law Center
- The Workers’ Rights Clinics provide free and confidential information to lower-income workers about their legal rights and the steps they may take to protect those rights. Clinic staff generally do not represent individuals in court.
- Three locations in the San Francisco Bay Area. Income Guidelines apply.
- Languages: Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin
- CA Government Agency State Auditor Hotline
- To report on a state or governmental agency, call toll-free (800) 952-5665
- CA Government Agency California Attorney General Hotline
- To report on any other employer, call toll-free (800) 952-5225
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Free Employment Rights Counseling +
- Workers’ Rights Workers’ Rights Clinics
- Legal Aid Society–Employment Law Center
- The Workers’ Rights Clinics provide free and confidential information to lower-income workers about their legal rights and the steps they may take to protect those rights. Clinic staff generally do not represent individuals in court.
- Three locations in the San Francisco Bay Area. Income Guidelines apply.
- Languages: Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin
- Work and Family Work & Family Project
- Legal Aid Society–Employment Law Center
- The Work & Family Project provides legal information and counseling to workers whose need to take leave to care for their own serious health condition or that of a child, parent, or spouse places them at risk of losing employment.
- Languages: Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin
- Language Rights Language Rights Project
- Legal Aid Society–Employment Law Center
- The Language Rights Project provides legal information and counseling to individuals who face language discrimination in employment, in government and business services, and in education.
- Languages: Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin
- Domestic Violence and Employment The Domestic Violence and Employment Project
- Legal Aid Society–Employment Law Center
- The Domestic Violence and Employment Project provides free legal information and assistance about employment rights to domestic violence survivors through its toll-free Helpline.
- Languages: Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin
- Criminal Records San Francisco Clean Slate Clinic
- San Francisco Public Defender’s Office
- 555 Seventh Street, San Francisco, CA 94103. (415) 553-9337.
- The Clean Slate Clinic (CSC) provides free legal help to eligible individuals who are seeking to clean up their criminal records.
- Criminal Records Alameda County Clean Slate Clinic
- East Bay Community Law Center
- The Clean Slate Clinic (CSC) provides free legal help to eligible individuals who are seeking to clean up their Alameda County criminal records.
- Mediation of EEOC Claims EEOC Mediation Clinic — University of San Francisco School of Law
- (415) 422-6218
- Smail Claims Small Claims Clinics, New College School of Law
- Clinics and workshops on presenting cases in small claims court and collecting small claims court judgments.
- Discrimination / Civil Rights National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)
- 1290 Fillmore Street, San Francisco, CA 94115. (415) 922-0650
- Referrals for discrimination cases; some counseling. Mon.-Fri. 10 a.m.-3p.m. NAACP handles discrimination cases, housing, employment and police brutality. Does not handle family law.
- Women and Employment Women’s Employment Law Clinic
- Golden Gate University School of Law
- 536 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA 94105. (415) 442-6647
- Provides counseling and advocacy for low-income clients in the areas of wage claims, unemployment insurance appeals, sex discrimination, sex harassment, family/medical leave and pregnancy discrimination.
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Legal Aid Offices +
- Alameda County Bay Area Legal Aid
- Law: Eviction defense, welfare, unemployment, custody and some other family law, SSI appeals, public housing issues, wage claims.
- Languages: Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin
- East Bay Community Law Center
- Law: Eviction defense, welfare, unemployment, SSI appeals, public housing issues.
- Language: Spanish
- Legal Assistance for Seniors
- Law: Elder abuse, incapacity problems, landlord/tenant, long-term care, benefits.
- Language: Spanish; others by appointment.
- Contra Costa Bay Area Legal Aid—Contra Costa
- Law: Government benefits, health, housing and uncontested dissolutions.
- Languages: Lao and Spanish
- San Francisco Bay Area Legal Aid
- Law: Public benefits, unemployment benefits, consumer, housing, domestic violence, child custody, housing, etc.
- Languages: Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, Vietnamese, Tagalog, some Russian and Arabic
- San Mateo Legal Aid Society of San Mateo County
- Law: Consumer, domestic relations, education, housing, welfare.
- Languages: Some Asian languages capacity, Spanish.
- Santa Clara County Bay Area Legal Aid
- Law: landlord/tenant, custody and visitation, restraining order clinic.
- Languages: Spanish in housing unit only; bring interpreter for other services
- Asian Law Alliance
- Law: employment, housing, domestic violence, immigration.
- Languages: Vietnamese, Mandarin, Cantonese, Japanese
- California Rural Legal Assistance
- Law: housing, education, employment, wage claims, SSI overpayment.
- Language: Spanish
- Marin County Marin County Legal Aid Society
- Law: Domestic violence, elder law, employment, housing, public benefits.
- Languages: Spanish, Vietnamese and Samoan
- Napa County Bay Area Legal Aid
- Law: Debtor/creditor, domestic violence, LL/tenant, public benefits, elder law
- Language: Spanish
- Solano County Legal Services of Northern California
- Law: Housing, disabilities, income stabiliization, seniors, health care, government benefits, teen outreach, war relief, family law
- Sonoma County Sonoma County Legal Services Foundation
- Law: Consumer, domestic violence, youth. Legal services available on sliding scale for family and juvenile law, debt collection, bankruptcy, housing issues, misdemeanor criminal and traffic law, employment, and wills, probate, and guardianships.
- Languages: Spanish in housing unit only; bring interpreter for other services
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Lawyer Referral Services +
- California California State Bar Referral Service
- Help for clients seeking local legal referrals.
- Call toll-free (866) 442-2529; in the San Francisco Bay Area, call (415) 538-2250.
- Alameda County Alameda County Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service
- Refers only discrimination or harassment cases with a right-to-sue letter from DFEH or EEOC. No discrimination or harassment cases. Wrongful discharge if employed for over five years. Fee is $30 for first half hour of consultation (no fee in case of non-stress-related worker’s compensation).
- San Francisco City/County Bar Association of San Francisco Lawyer Referral Service
- The Bar Association has panels for three types of employment-related legal problems: Employer-employee disputes/ Civil Service disputes, Title VII discrimination, and wrongful discharge. There are fewer than 15 attorneys on these panels. Fee is $30 for first half hour of consultation.
- Languages: Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin and Vietnamese.
- Santa Clara County Santa Clara Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service
- Takes cases only where the employee has been working with employer 3 years or more. $30 for half hour consultation.
- Contra Costa County Contra Costa County Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service
- Referrals for employer-employee, discrimination, and wrongful discharge cases. Fee is $30 for first half hour of consultation.
- Marin County Marin County Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service
- Fee is $35 for first half hour of consultation; no fee for workers’ comp. cases.
- San Mateo County San Mateo County Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service
- The fee is $30 for half hour of consultation.
- Palo Alto Palo Alto Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service
- Only cases regarding employment discrimination are referred. $35 for half hour of consultation.
- Private Referral Service Aids Legal Referral Panel
- Serves people with AIDS, ARC, and HIV-positive status and their partners and family members. The Panel will listen to all requests, provide free consultations, do simple wills, powers of attorney and medical directives without charge; other matters handled on a case-by-case basis.
- Private Referral Service Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund
- There are employment plaintiff’s attorneys and Worker’s Compensation attorneys on the DREDF panel. All attorneys are trained in disability law.
- Private Referral Service lawhelpcalifornia.org
- Referrals to local low-cost and pro bono legal services.
- Private Referral Service Workers’ Compensation Applicants Association—Consumer Information Service
- Mails listings of Workers’ Compensation attorneys by local area.
- 801 12th St., Suite 201, Sacramento, CA 95814. Call (800) 459-1400.
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Private/Non-Profit Agencies +
- Asian Immigrant Women’s Advocates
- Know-your-rights education, workplace leadership training and ESL classes for monolingual Asian women working in the electronics assembly, food preparation and hotel cleaning industries.
- American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California (ACLU)
- The ACLU is not a legal aid-type office. Focus is on impact litigation, cases raising civil liberties/civil rights issues, constitutional test cases with a potential impact on large numbers of people, some class actions.
- API Legal Outreach
- Limited advice and referral in employment; target is monolingual Asian women. Family law, domestic violence, landlord/ tenant, consumer, immigration, sponsorship of relatives), public benefits, administrative.
- Asian Law Caucus, Inc.
- Employment/labor cases; wage claims, plant closures, employment discrimination.
- Coalition for Immigrant Rights
- The Coalition (CIRRS) is made up of 80 legal assistance, social service, immigrant and refugee rights groups whose goal is to coordinate and insure fair implementation of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 (IRCA); provide public education re: IRCA and other immigration issues to defend the rights of and coordinate services for all documented and undocumented immigrants and refugees; and to monitor and respond to instances of discrimination.
- Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund
- Discrimination based on disability; special education, primarily integration.
- Equal Rights Advocates, Inc.
- Pay equity, pregnancy discrimination, sexual harassment, access to non-traditional jobs. Impact cases only, though some direct services by students.
- La Raza Centro Legal
- Wage and hour claims, employment discrimination, wrongful termination. Focus on day laborers and undocumented workers. Workers’ Rights Clinic and Housing and Govt. Benefits clinic.
- Natl. Association for The Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)
- Referrals for discrimination cases; some counseling. Monday–Friday, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. NAACP handles discrimination cases, housing, employment and police brutality.
- Pro Bono Project of Santa Clara County
- Locates pro-bono attorneys for Workers’ Rights Clinic cases with legal merit filed in Santa Clara County.
- Public Advocates
- Class action lawsuits.
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Courts | Court Advisors | Mediation Services +
- CA Courts California Courts Online Self-Help Center
- Small claims basics, protection from abuse, family assistance, etc.
- Municipal Courts Small Claims Courts
- Guidelines for Small Claims Court:
- Claims are limited to disputes of $7,500 or less. If a claim is for more than the limit, the claimant can agree to waive the amount above $7,500. In doing so, the claimant forever waives the right to this portion of the claim;
- Claimants cannot file more than 2 small claims actions for more than $2500 in a calendar year;
- A claimant cannot sue on only part of what is basically a single claim. Suit on any part bars later suit on the balance;
- No right of appeal. The defendant has the option of appealing the decision to Superior Court;
- Claimants may not be represented by lawyers during the hearing;
- No jury;
- No collateral estoppels;
- No discovery;
- Relevant hearsay is admissible.
- Small Claims Legal Advisors:
- Alameda: (510) 268-7665
- San Mateo : (650) 573-2605
- Santa Clara: (408) 370-4440 x6
- San Francisco: (415) 292-2124
- CA Government Agency State Mediation/Conciliation Service
- Handles requests for a State mediator to help resolve labor/management disputes. Participation is voluntary.
- Federal Court United States Bankruptcy Courts, Northern District of CA
- Bankruptcy Information Line: (888) 457-0604. Call this number to search current bankruptcy filings by the name of the employer.
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Job Search Assistance +
- CA Government Agency Employment Development Department (EDD)
- Services: “Experience Unlimited,” provides access to computers fax machines and a variety of job listings.
- Private Agency Bay Area Urban League
- Services: Employment listings and placement. Some offices have job training programs, alternative education programs and AIDS education.
- 2201 Broadway Street, Oakland, CA 94621 (510) 271-1846.
- Private Agency Chinese for Affirmative Action
- Job referrals for general public. Job Hotline: (415) 274-6750
- Languages: Cantonese, Mandarin
- Private Agency Hispanic Referral
- 2512 Foothill Blvd., Oakland, CA 94601 (510) 534-8780
- Services: Job placement service for monolingual Spanish-speaking workers. Most jobs are in house cleaning, gardening, painting or construction.
- Language: Spanish
- Private Agency Training and Employment Services
- (415) 922-7593
- Services: Courses in word processing and use of spreadsheet and other common software programs for low-income SF residents. Waivable course fee. Adult Open Access Hours provide access to computers to revise resumes and write cover letters. Provides courses in resume writing.
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Selected Labor Unions +
- San Francisco Communications Workers of America, Local 9410
- 240 2nd Street, San Francisco, CA 94103. Call toll-free: (800) 604-9410. From SF, call (415) 777-9410.
- San Francisco International Ladies Garment Workers Union (ILGWU)
- Garment Workers Service Center, 659 Commercial Street (at Kearny), San Francisco (415) 989-9025
- Specializing in garment workers issues, know your rights education, wage claims, unemployment, disability, unsafe working conditions, public benefits entitlement information. Languages include Mandarin and Cantonese.
- Languages: Spanish, Mandarin and Cantonese
- Oakland / San Jose Service Employees International Union (SEIU) (AFL-CIO), Local 1877
- Justice for Janitors
- Oakland : (510) 553-1877
- San Jose: 1010 Ruff Drive, San Jose, CA 95110 (408) 280-7770
- San Francisco Service Employees International Union (SEIU) (AFL-CIO), Local 790
- 240 Golden Gate Ave., San Francisco, CA 94102 (415) 885-0087
- Represents City/County workers
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Non-Employment Legal Resources +
- Accident Defense S.F. Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights
- (415) 543-9444
- AIDS-Related AIDS Legal Referral Panel
- (415) 701-1100
- Collection Defense / Debt / Bankruptcy Consumer Credit Counseling Service of San Francisco
- (415) 788-0288
- Toll Free: (800) 777-7526
- Consumer Consumer Action
- (415) 777-9635
- Consumer Small Claims Court Advisor
- (415) 292-2124
- Consumer Better Business Bureau
- (415) 243-9999
- Criminal Public Defender’s Office
- (415) 553-1671
- Divorce / Custody / Family Law Bay Area Legal Aid
- (415) 982-1300
- Divorce / Custody / Family Law Family Service Agency
- (415) 474-7310
- Divorce / Custody / Family Law Children’s Council
- (415) 276-2900
- Elderly / Pension / Medicare Legal Assistance to the Elderly
- (415) 861-4444
- General Services Bar Association of S.F. Lawyer Referral Service
- (415) 989-1616
- Housing Bay Area Legal Aid
- (415) 982-1300
- Immigration Helplink Immigrant Assistance
- Spanish/English (415) 543-6767
- Cantonese & Mandarin/English (415) 543-6769
- Vietnamese/English (415) 543-6797
- Religious Discrimination American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California (ACLU)
- 1663 Mission Street, Suite 460, San Francisco, CA 94103 (415) 621-2488
- Hotline open 10–12 and 1–3
- Welfare / Public Benefits Bay Area Legal Aid
- (415) 982-1300
- Welfare / Public Benefits General Assistance Advocacy Project
- (415) 928-8191