ALS is the only legal assistance program in Santa Clara County specializing in HIV/AIDS-related law. ALS has a staff of two attorneys, assisted by a quarter-time bilingual intake worker, who provide direct legal services to individuals living with HIV/AIDS. ALS attorneys also coordinate and train a panel of pro bono attorneys, law students and community volunteers. Together, the ALS staff, pro bono attorney panel and volunteers provide assistance in a wide range of practice areas.

ALS provides free legal assistance to eligible clients in the following areas:

• Discrimination against individuals based on their HIV/AIDS status or other legally protected classes and obtaining reasonable accommodations.

• Debtor Relief is fighting creditor harassment and providing bankruptcy advice.

• Housing Rights involves landlord-tenant disputes, habitability problems and discrimination in housing.

• Public and Private Benefits and Insurance includes federal and state disability programs, private long-term disability, Medi-Cal, Medicare and COBRA.

• Estate Planning and Wills ensures security in clients' futures by drafting wills, advanced health care directives (living wills), financial powers of attorney and guardianships.

• Employment Rights include claims for unpaid wages, unemployment insurance benefits and discrimination in employment.

• Other Services include addressing breaches of confidentiality and tax problems, obtaining access to medical and dental care, enforcing consumer protection laws, expunging misdemeanor criminal records, and helping prepare small claims court cases.

For case stories that illustrate the above service areas click here.