GBLA

greater bakersfield ​legal assistance

MISSION

to promote social change and justice by ​providing high quality legal services to the ​low-income community

Follow:

Simple Facebook Icon
Simple Instagram Icon
Play Button Icon
background texture

CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF

Rosary & Viewing

Friday, September 27, 2024 | 4:00 - 8:00 pm

Greenlawn Southwest Cemetary

2739 Panama Ln, Bakersfield CA 93313

Funeral Mass

Saturday, September 28, 2024 | 9:00 - 10:00 am

Our Lady of Perpetual Help

124 Columbus St, Bakersfield CA 93305

Burial Service

Saturday, September 28, 2024 | 10:30 - 11:00 am

Greenlawn Southwest Cemetary

2739 Panama Ln, Bakersfield CA 93313

Donate

About Us

GBLA is a non-profit corporation whose mission is "to promote social change and ​justice by providing high-quality legal services to the low-income community."


GBLA is not organized for the private gain of any person. It is organized under the ​Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation Law for charitable purposes.


GBLA provides free, civil, legal services to low-income and elderly persons residing ​in Kern County California.


Established in 1968, GBLA’s founding philosophies are deeply rooted with ​antipoverty programs. We represent those who are unable or too afraid to speak for ​themselves, either because of racial, economic, social, or legal barriers and ​consequently have become mere statistics in social and economic research data.

Rural Legal Assistance ​Program





This program increases access to GBLA’s full ​range of legal services related to health, ​housing, income maintenance, consumer ​issues and/or domestic abuse to low-income ​individuals living in the traditionally ​underserved (and isolated) communities of ​Kern County.

right arrow icon
health care, medicine and health

Kern Health ​Consumer Center

Partnered with the Health ​Consumer Alliance (HCA), this ​project addresses the health-​related barriers of Kern County ​residents by overcoming access ​problems to healthcare coverage, ​including Medi-Cal, Medicare, ​Covered California, and private ​insurance.

Health-related barriers may include:


  • Filing a grievance or complaint against ​a health plan
  • Understanding health care plan ​options
  • Challenging a service denial
  • Billing or affordability issues
  • untimely access, geographical access, ​disability access, or language access ​issues
  • In-Home Supportive Services denials
  • Medi-Cal denials


right arrow icon
Mother Kissing Her Cute Baby

Public Benefits

GBLA assists low income individuals ​and families overcome barriers to ​public benefit programs (e.g. ​CalWORKs, CalFresh, and General ​Assistance) to ensure they have ​sufficient resources to meet the basic ​necessities of life. Barriers may ​include:


  • Denials
  • Reductions
  • Terminations
  • Overpayments
  • Consumer education regarding ​program eligibility


right arrow icon

Guardianship

GBLA assists caregivers ​obtain guardianship over ​children to prevent further ​exposure to domestic ​violence, child abuse, and ​neglect.


GBLA assists persons at ​nearly every stage of a ​guardianship matter, from ​petition drafting to post-​letter situations.

right arrow icon

Domestic Violence ​Reduction Project

This project protects persons from ​further exposure to domestic ​violence, child abuse and/or neglect ​by obtaining legal protective orders ​(commonly known as a Restraining ​Order), child custody and visitation ​orders (where applicable), ​representing clients in court, and ​making referrals to other services ​when necessary.


right arrow icon

Sargent Shriver ​Housing Project

This project prevents homelessness by ​defending low-income tenants in the ​unlawful detainer (eviction) process ​when the landlord is represented by an ​attorney and the eviction’s venue is ​within Metro Bakersfield. Defense may ​include representation at various stages ​of litigation such as hearings, discovery, ​trial, and settlement.

right arrow icon

Homeless Prevention Project

This project prevents homelessness by defending low-income tenants in the ​unlawful detainer (eviction) process throughout Kern County regardless of ​whether the landlord is represented by an attorney. Defense may include ​representation at various stages of litigation such as hearings, discovery, trial, and ​settlement. This project also assists tenants who have received certain pre-​eviction termination notices.

right arrow icon

Seniors Law Center

This program provides direct civil ​legal assistance to Kern County’s ​socially and economically needy ​residents who are 60 years of age or ​older. Services may include resolving ​issues related to health, housing, ​consumer law, and elder abuse.

right arrow icon

Social Security

GBLA assists eligible individuals through the entire ​disability benefit application process. Some eligible ​individuals are referred to social services and ​medical agencies while GBLA builds support for the ​disability application.


GBLA’s services may include the drafting and filing ​of applications, appeals, reconsiderations, ​reinstatements, and recertifications. GBLA may ​coordinate with government offices for pending ​applications, appeals, reconsiderations, ​reinstatements, recertifications. GBLA may also ​represent individuals throughout the disability ​application process, appeals submission, and ​related hearings.


right arrow icon
Bakersfield, California

Fair Housing Law Project

This project provides fair housing education, ​outreach, investigation, and enforcement ​services for Kern County residents who have ​been victims of illegal housing discrimination, ​regardless of income. When fair housing ​investigations yield evidence of illegal ​discrimination, this project may represent ​victims in administrative agency complaints ​and litigation.

right arrow icon
Envelope Nailed to a Wooden Door with Eviction Notice

Eviction Prevention ​Program

This program enhances housing security ​through legal representation, education, ​and resource referrals. Legal ​representation is available to eligible, ​low-income tenants (< 120% of the ​federal poverty level) within Bakersfield ​city limits. General information about ​California housing law is offered to the ​public through community ​presentations.

right arrow icon
Supreme Court

Homeless Court

Locally, GBLA acts as the Kern County Homeless Court ​Coordinator and is a proud partner of the Superior Court ​of California, County of Kern, the Kern County Public ​Defender’s Office, and the Kern County District Attorney's ​Office. As the Kern County Homeless Court Coordinator, ​GBLA facilitates referrals for this vital program.

right arrow icon
Grayscale Photo of Concrete Building

Homeless Court

Homeless courts assist participants resolve outstanding criminal ​matters, such as infractions, misdemeanors, and low-level ​felonies. Homeless individuals may avoid attending superior ​court due to fear, even though unresolved criminal records ​significantly hinder reintegration into society, accessing social ​services, obtaining a driver’s license, and securing stable ​employment and housing. By addressing legal issues, homeless ​courts reduce superior court backlogs and decrease vagrancy.

right arrow icon
Law.

Homeless Court

To qualify for the program, a participant must be homeless. This may include:


  • living in an emergency shelter,
  • being evicted within 14 days from a private dwelling and no subsequent home is identified,
  • being discharged within a week from an institution, (e.g. a mental health or substance abuse ​treatment facility or jail/prison, in which the person has been a resident for up to 90 consecutive ​days) and no subsequent home is identified,
  • fleeing a domestic violence housing situation and no subsequent home is identified,
  • living in transitional housing for homeless persons, permanent housing for formerly homeless ​persons, a psychiatric facility, substance abuse treatment facility, hospital, hotel or motel paid ​without an emergency voucher, foster care or group home, safe haven, or
  • living in a vehicle or on the street.


If you are a referring agency, and need more information, please call 661. 321. 3994.

right arrow icon
Telehealth Appointment

Tenants’ Rights Clinic

GBLA collaborates with Monterey College of Law to teach a remote ​legal clinic addressing tenants' rights. GBLA attorneys train ​Monterey College of Law students to provide general information ​about landlord-tenant law to Kern County tenants who call the clinic. ​Under the supervision of GBLA attorneys, law students have one-on-​one phone appointments with tenants seeking general information ​about rent-increase notices, termination notices, repair requests, ​and other housing concerns. The clinic is open to all tenants residing ​in Kern County, regardless of income, but space is limited. ​Appointments are available on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and ​must be scheduled in advance.

Be a Hero for Justice!


Imagine battling a legal crisis ​without help. Your donation ​to GBLA transforms lives! By ​giving, you empower the ​vulnerable with essential legal ​support. Defend rights, ​combat injustice, and build a ​fairer world. Step up and ​make a powerful impact—​donate to GBLA today!

Volunteer Attorney

Program

This program’s goal is to advance ​GBLA’s mission with private ​attorney involvement.


GBLA may achieve this goal by:


(1) recruiting California-licensed ​attorneys in good standing to ​volunteer for any GBLA project, and


(2) utilizing the State Bar of ​California’s Practical Training of ​Law Students Program.

right arrow icon

Volunteer Opportunities

Are you passionate about justice and ​equality? Do you believe in everyone’s right ​to fair representation in the legal system? ​Are you an attorney authorized to practice ​law in California or a law student that is ​eligible for the State Bar of Californias ​PTLS Program? If so, we invite you to be a ​part of something greater than yourself by ​volunteering for GBLA. Our mission is to ​promote social change by providing high-​quality legal services to the low-income ​community. However, we cannot achieve our ​mission alone: we need dedicated volunteer ​law students and attorneys to succeed.

right arrow icon
Helping hand, Rescue, Black and white image.

Make an Impact

By volunteering for GBLA, you ​will make a substantial and ​positive difference in the lives of ​people facing serious legal ​challenges. Your efforts could ​mean the world to someone in ​crisis.


Expand your Skills

Whether you’re a law student or ​an attorney, volunteering for ​GBLA offers valuable ​opportunities to sharpen skills ​and gain practical experience.


why volunteer for GBLA?

right arrow icon
Helping hands

Fulfillment and Satisfaction

There’s nothing quite like the satisfaction ​of knowing you’ve helped someone ​navigate through a difficult legal ​situation. Volunteering with GBLA is not ​just about giving your time: it’s about ​enriching your life through meaningful ​service.


Join a Community of Changemakers ​When you volunteer for GBLA, you ​become a part of a passionate ​community dedicated to making a ​difference. You’ll work alongside like-​minded individuals who share your ​commitment to justice and equality.

why volunteer for GBLA?

right arrow icon

are you ​ready to ​make an ​impact?

Volunteering at Greater Bakersfield ​Legal Assistance is more than just an ​opportunity: it’s a calling to be part of ​something Greater than yourself.


To learn more about volunteering ​opportunities and how you can get ​involved, contact GBLA’s main line at ​661. 325. 5943 or email me at ​vnarvaez@gbla.org.


I hope you join us in this noble cause.


Sincerely,

Valentin Narvaez, Esq.

Executive Director

right arrow icon

Volunteer Attorney Testimonials

An honest look into how GBLA works

Quote Mark Icon

At the outset, I did not know how I would feel about providing services, but I assumed that there would be some sense of satisfaction that comes from helping others; which I found to be correct. However, my hands-on work at GBLA has provided me with a significantly expanded sense of what I am accomplishing.

Jim Modig, Esq.

Quote Mark Icon

The people I have met through [volunteering] have humbled me beyond anything I might have imagined. They are so grateful for the help they receive. It has made me realize that we are here to serve not only when we are paid for the job, but to serve because we were given all these opportunities in our lives in the first place.

Krystyna Jamieson, Esq.

Quote Mark Icon


Volunteering at GBLA [is] one of the most gratifying experiences, both personally and professionally. It is an opportunity to serve members of our community who are on the verge of homelessness or losing [income] that they desperately rely on.





Pam Singh, Esq.

Cy Près

Cy près (pronounced “see pray”) means “as near as.”


Cy près solves the problem of what to do with residual funds that can’t be ​distributed to class members.


Residual funds may be awarded to a nonprofit organization by a court. The court ​may use cy près to distribute class-action-settlement funds to a nonprofit ​organization whose work indirectly benefits the class members and advances the ​public’s interest.


Code of Civil Procedure § 384


right arrow icon

Are you a litigator for large impact cases?


By designating GBLA as a recipient of cy près, you can help support and advocate for Kern ​County’s most vulnerable populations and promote GBLA’s mission “to promote social ​change and justice by providing high-quality legal services to the low-income community.” ​Your support is crucial to GBLA’s mission! GBLA is a non-profit, legal aid agency that ​provides free, civil, legal services to indigent Kern County residents. By designating your cy ​près award to GBLA, you can support GBLA’s mission and facilitate access to justice for Kern ​County’s indigent residents. Join us in making a difference today!

Domestic Violence Reduction Project Attorney - page 1 of 4


Greater Bakersfield Legal Assistance, Inc. (GBLA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization ​​whose mission is “to promote social change and justice by providing high-quality ​​legal services to the low-income community.” GBLA’s service area is Kern County, ​​California.


GBLA seeks an attorney to serve clients within GBLA’s Domestic Violence ​Reduction ​Project. This project protects persons from ​further exposure to domestic ​violence, ​child abuse, and/or neglect ​by obtaining legal protective orders ​(commonly known ​as a Restraining ​Order), child custody and visitation ​orders (where applicable), ​​representing clients in court, and ​making referrals to other services ​when necessary.

right arrow icon

Domestic Violence Reduction Project Attorney - page 2 of 4


The candidate must be an active State Bar of California member or eligible for ​California’s Multijurisdictional Practice Program. As stated on the State Bar of ​California’s website, “[i]f you work for an eligible Legal Aid Organization in ​California, you may seek permission to practice law in California as a Registered ​Legal Aid Attorney (RLAA). If you are approved as an RLAA, you may practice law in ​California while working at an eligible Legal Aid Organization on behalf of its clients ​and may engage, under supervision, in all forms of legal practice that are permissible ​for a licensee of the State Bar of California.” Eligibility requires licensure and good ​standing in another U.S. jurisdiction and employment with an eligible Legal Aid ​Organization in California as defined by California Rules of Court, rule 9.45.

right arrow icon

Domestic Violence Reduction Project Attorney - page 3 of 4


The ​ideal candidate exhibits leadership capabilities by providing guidance and ​​direction to colleagues as needed. The ideal candidate for this position possesses ​knowledge of California’s Domestic Violence Protection ​Act (Family Code § 6300 et ​seq.). The candidate must possess knowledge of the Civil Code of the State of ​California, the Code of Civil Procedure of California, the California Rules of Court, ​and Kern County’s Local Rules of Court. The candidate must also ​possess ​exceptional communication, analytical, organizational, and writing skills. A firm ​commitment to public interest advocacy is essential.

right arrow icon

Domestic Violence Reduction Project Attorney - page 4 of 4


The salary range for this full-time, exempt position is $90,109 - $104,439 per ​year. Anyfinal offer depends on experience and ​qualifications. This position offers the ​opportunity to work remotely within Kern County.


To Apply: email a cover letter, writing sample, resume, and three professional ​​references to: hr@gbla.org or mail to GBLA, 615 California Ave., Bakersfield, CA ​93304.

Housing Attorney - page 1 of 4


Greater Bakersfield Legal Assistance, Inc. (GBLA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization ​​whose mission is “to promote social change and justice by providing high-quality ​​legal services to the low-income community.” GBLA’s service area is Kern County, ​​California.

GBLA seeks an attorney to serve clients within GBLA’s housing team. With legal ​representation, tenants gain protection, advocacy, and access to ​resources to ​navigate complex, fast-paced eviction proceedings. The attorney ensures ​tenants’ ​rights are upheld, provides guidance on legal options, and attempts ​settlement to ​prevent homelessness. The attorney protects individuals and families from housing ​instability by offering stability, peace of ​mind, and a chance to stay housed.

right arrow icon

Housing Attorney - page 2 of 4


The candidate must be an active State Bar of California member or eligible for ​California’s Multijurisdictional Practice Program. As stated on the State Bar of ​California’s website, “[i]f you work for an eligible Legal Aid Organization in ​California, you may seek permission to practice law in California as a Registered ​Legal Aid Attorney (RLAA). If you are approved as an RLAA, you may practice law in ​California while working at an eligible Legal Aid Organization on behalf of its clients ​and may engage, under supervision, in all forms of legal practice that are permissible ​for a licensee of the State Bar of California.” Eligibility requires licensure and good ​standing in another U.S. jurisdiction, and employment with an eligible Legal Aid ​Organization in California as defined by California Rules of Court, rule 9.45.

right arrow icon

Housing Attorney - page 3 of 4


The ​ideal candidate exhibits leadership capabilities by providing guidance and ​​direction to colleagues as needed. The ideal candidate possesses knowledge of the ​CARES Act and the Tenant Protection Act of ​2019. The candidate must be familiar ​with the Civil Code of the State of California, the Code of Civil Procedure of ​California (particularly Code of Civil Procedure §§ 1159 through 1179a), the ​California Rules of Court, and Kern County’s Local Rules of Court. The candidate ​must also ​possess exceptional communication, analytical, organizational, and writing ​skills. A firm commitment to public interest advocacy is essential.

right arrow icon

Housing Attorney - page 4 of 4


The salary range for this full-time, exempt position is $90,109 - $104,439 per ​year. ​Any final offer depends on experience and ​qualifications. This position offers the ​opportunity to work remotely within Kern County.


To apply: email a cover letter, writing sample, resume, and three professional ​​references to hr@gbla.org or mail those documents to GBLA, 615 ​California Ave., ​Bakersfield, CA 93304.

medical insurance

Employer-paid premium for all full-time employees.​

HMO plan with Kaiser Permanente​.

Optional spouse/domestic partner/dependent coverage (employee paid​).

Coverage becomes effective on the 1st day of the month after 30 days of employme​nt.

Section 125 Plan allows pre-tax payment for optional cover​age.

right arrow icon

vision insurance

Employer-paid premium for GBLA’s full-time employee,

employee’s spouse, and employee’s dependents.


VSP Plan.


Coverage is effective on the 1st day of the month

after 30 days of employment.

right arrow icon

dental insurance

Employer-paid premium for GBLA’s full-time employee,

employee’s spouse, and employee’s dependents.


Delta Dental 1500 Plan.


Coverage is effective on the 1st day of the month after 30 days of employment.

right arrow icon

life insurance

Employer-paid premium for GBLA’s full-time employe​e.

Employee coverage (3x annual salary, max $500k​).

Spouse coverage ($10,000​).

Dependent coverage ($5,000​).

Coverage is effective on the 1st day of the month after 30 days of employmen​t.

right arrow icon

401k plan

Administered by the ABA Retirement Funds Program.


Annually, GBLA matches 100% of an employee’s contribution up to 5% of the employee’s ​compensation. Automatic enrollment and elective contribution of 2% of employee’s ​compensation, unless employee chooses otherwise. Automatic contribution increases ​annually by 1% up to 5%, after 1st plan year.