In Los Angeles County, most tenants facing eviction are forced to navigate the process alone—over 90% represent themselves, often without legal support. Too often, cases end before tenants ever get a meaningful chance to be heard: about 40% of eviction matters end in a default judgment simply because a tenant did not file an Answer—even when valid defenses may exist.
The Eviction Legal Services Project (ELSP) provides critical, practical legal assistance to self-represented tenants as they respond to eviction filings. We are recruiting law students and attorneys to help tenants complete essential court forms accurately and on time.
What volunteers do
As an ELSP volunteer, you will support self-represented tenants in preparing key unlawful detainer (UD) response documents, including:
Answer
Jury Demand
Request to Waive Court Fees
Your support can directly reduce defaults and help tenants assert their rights in court.
Clinic location and format
Location: Stanley Mosk Courthouse – Self-Help Center
Format: Tenants are onsite; volunteers participate remotely via Webex
Clinic schedule
Tuesdays & Wednesdays: 8:30 AM–12:00 PM; 1:00 PM–4:00 PM
Fridays: 8:30 AM–12:00 PM
Training provided (live) + Free CLE
We provide training to help you feel prepared and effective, including live Zoom webinars.
Hands-on Tenant Power Toolkit training
This hands-on session focuses on interviewing tenants and preparing UD Answers and related forms using the Tenant Power Toolkit.
Training date: Wednesday, February 18
Time: 5:00–6:30 PM
Where: Zoom
Free CLE: 1.5 hours for CA-licensed attorneys
Register / Contact
To learn more or get involved, email housing@counselforjustice.org.