San Francisco, CA — Mayor London N. Breed, in partnership with the San Francisco Law Library, today announced a new free monthly Consumer Rights Legal Clinic, co-sponsored by Bay Area Legal Aid, the Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development (MOHCD) and the San Francisco Treasurer’s Office of Financial Empowerment. The Clinic will begin on Thursday, July 25, 2019. 

The free monthly Consumer Rights Legal Clinic is made possible through a grant from MOHCD. The clinic will provide people the opportunity to speak with an attorney about a broad range of consumer legal issues, such as bankruptcy, student loan debt, credit card debt, debt collection lawsuits, harassment by debt collectors, errors in credit reports, judgments for unpaid debt, foreclosure, and garnished wages.

“Every San Franciscan should have the opportunity to get sound legal advice, regardless of their ability to pay,” said Mayor London Breed. “This new clinic will empower people to make informed decisions about their finances and will provide a legal safety net for people who otherwise wouldn’t be able to talk to a lawyer.”

“It’s hard enough making ends meet in San Francisco without the added stress of dealing with complex issues like debt, bankruptcy, or financial fraud,” said Treasurer José Cisneros. “I’m proud to be partnering with distinguished San Francisco legal organizations to bring these important clinics to our community.”

The clinic will run in two sessions, one at 9:30am and another at 1:00pm, on the fourth Thursday of every month in the Law Library, located at 1145 Market Street, 4th floor. An RSVP is required for the clinic, and people in need of assistance with consumer legal issues can call 415-982-1300 to reserve a spot.

“MOHCD is pleased to expand our long-standing partnership with Bay Area Legal Aid,” said Kate Hartley, MOHCD Director. “Legal aid is one of the most effective ways we can help protect low-income communities. These high-quality legal services will help San Francisco residents keep their hard-earned income and assets within their families and communities.”

The organizations involved in making this clinic possible are committed to providing access to justice to those who are least able to secure it. Since 1870, the San Francisco Law Library has provided free access and use of legal reference materials to the public so that they may conduct their legal affairs and preserve their legal rights. Bay Area Legal Aid provides meaningful access to the civil justice system through quality legal assistance regardless of a client’s location, language or disability. The San Francisco Office of Financial Empowerment leverages the power of City Hall to strengthen economic security and mobility for low-income families.

More information about the San Francisco Law Library is available at https://sflawlibrary.org/.

More information about Bay Area Legal Aid is available at https://baylegal.org/.  

More information about the San Francisco Treasurer’s Office of Financial Empowerment is available at https://sfgov.org/ofe/.