We protect victims of domestic violence and improve the well-being of children living in poverty. With the help of volunteers, the Center provides free family law assistance and legal education to the poor. We strive to empower people in need and assure them meaningful access to the courts.
True to the adage that you "can't go home again" because it's not the same, Ruby LeMorin and Lucas Garcia returned to the Harriett Buhai Center for Family Law during their third year of UCLA Law School as different people.Our abbreviated interview captures some of their thoughts and reflections upon their return in spring 2021.
True to the adage that you "can't go home again" because it's not the same, Ruby LeMorin and Lucas Garcia returned to the Harriett Buhai Center for Family Law during their third year of UCLA Law School as different people.Our abbreviated interview captures some of their thoughts and reflections upon their return in spring 2021.
Services
We protect victims of domestic violence and improve the well-being of children living in poverty. With the help of volunteers, the Center provides free family law assistance and legal education to the poor. We strive to empower people in need and assure them meaningful access to the courts. We aspire to create a community where poverty is not a barrier to those who seek to resolve critical family law matters.
Our tax returns, audited financial statements and annual reports are all available to you anytime on our website. Please call us if you would like additional financial materials or information: 213-388-7505 ext. The Harriett Buhai Center is a public-private partnership leveraging government sources and private funds from individuals, firms with donated labor from volunteers.
Betty Nordwind has devoted her legal career to social justice issues. Betty has been on the forefront of efforts championing the rights of the poor, disabled persons and women. Graduating from the University of Colorado Law School in 1971, Betty immediately signed up for a service corps program at Metro Denver Legal Aid, handling everyday problems of indigent residents of Colorado.
The Harriett Buhai Center for Family Law is more than a public interest law firm. The attorneys and staff are also teachers, counselors, and problem solvers for very low-income clients and community members striving to start over.
This trailblazing legal program was the first in California to provide in-depth continuing self-help assistance to very low-income individuals with family law and domestic violence problems and to empower clients to represent themselves in court.Over 70% of all Center clients report a history of domestic violence, and most are women.
This trailblazing legal program was the first in California to provide in-depth continuing self-help assistance to very low-income individuals with family law and domestic violence problems and to empower clients to represent themselves in court.Over 70% of all Center clients report a history of domestic violence, and most are women.
Created to honor the Center's namesake, Harriett Buhai, this award has been presented to members of the community who possess the same attributes as Harriett-protecting and defending the rights of others, particularly the poor.
The Hall of Fame Award recognizes the efforts of an individual who has exhibited, by action and deed over an extended period of time, exceptional service and dedication to the Center, its clients and its causes, and who has left a permanent mark in its history.Created posthumously to honor community and feminist activist Frances Wender Kandel, the award is bestowed upon recipients who have followed in the large footprints she left behind.
The Hall of Fame Award recognizes the efforts of an individual who has exhibited, by action and deed over an extended period of time, exceptional service and dedication to the Center, its clients and its causes, and who has left a permanent mark in its history.Created posthumously to honor community and feminist activist Frances Wender Kandel, the award is bestowed upon recipients who have followed in the large footprints she left behind.
Reviews (10)
Roberto Solorio
Nov 04, 2021
Report
Pearl Hernandez
Oct 31, 2021
Report
Araseli Tejada
Aug 24, 2021
Report
Rebecca F. was absolutely great! She helped me win my case. She was so helpful and kind through out the whole process. I was very scared going into this process in the beginning but she made it so that I always felt comfortable and at ease. I will forever be grateful to her and to the Harriet Buhai Center.
Daniela Hernandez
Jan 13, 2021
Report
I wish I had a better experience. Everyone was very welcoming and were ready and willing to help, but I waited to be seen 6 hours (10am-4pm) only for them to tell me they couldn't help me. I wish they would have told me at the beginning so that I didn't have to waist a whole day. Especially because I had to pay someone to babysit.
Jean Huang
Jan 24, 2019
Report
The Harriet Buhai Center does not take all cases. It is a volunteer run, non profit organization that carefully vets (and trains) it’s volunteers and vets the cases it takes on. That’s why not everyone who applies for assistance is accepted and may leave disgruntled ... Those who do receive help will find that they receive expert resources for free.
Johanna Sanchez
Nov 18, 2018
Report
Robert Moss
Dec 31, 2017
Report
I have volunteered at the Center for going on 15 years. The Center provides highest quality legal assistance to low income Californians who have great needs to help them navigate the family law court system in order to achieve a fair, just and equitable resolution in their legal matters. The Center’s highly qualified staff attorneys and other employees and their network of volunteers in the community provide the highest level of legal care and services. Their mission is devoted to removing barriers, and facilitating access, to the family law justice system.
Steve Goodin
Dec 03, 2017
Report
The Harriett Buhai Center for Family Law is uniquely effective among legal services non-profits because of its disciplined approach to the acceptance of new clients. The Buhai Center is a “dream rescuer” for economically disadvantaged clients who meet the case selection criteria; it is also a philanthropic donor’s dream, and it meets the fondest wishes of those who dispense publicly funded grant monies or private foundation funds that their monies be awarded only to an organization that delivers the greatest “bang for the buck.” I base my statement on more than 40 years of very close
Louise Nixon
Sep 26, 2017
Report
There is no other nonprofit law firm that represents those who would otherwise not receive justice in our legal system due to lack of funds. For over 30 years, the Center takes on family law cases that no one else can handle. It is am amazing place and grateful to be able to volunteer for the important work to be be done.
Samuel Barry
Jul 15, 2017
Report
I've had the pleasure of volunteering with the Harriett Buhai Center for Family Law for the past 4 months (prior to that, I was a student intern for 3 months). The entire staff--from reception to senior staff attorneys--is wonderful. I've had the privilege of witnessing everyone's hard work and dedication from behind the scenes, and it is nothing short of inspiring. I plan on continuing to volunteer here throughout the rest of my legal career!
