SLOLAF Receives $16,662.50 Cy Pres Award Stemming From Local Consumer Protection Lawsuit

San Luis Obispo Legal Assistance Foundation (SLOLAF) received a cy pres award of $16,662.50 stemming from a local class action lawsuit addressing unlawful consumer practices. A cy pres award is granted to a non-profit organization, agreed upon by plaintiff and defense counsel, as part of a class action lawsuit settlement when there are funds leftover after class members have received their settlements.  Local consumer law attorney, Stephen Geihs, filed the class action lawsuit and recommended SLOLAF as the recipient of the cy pres award.

Stephanie Barclay, Executive Director of San Luis Obispo Legal Assistance Foundation said “We are incredibly grateful to receive this generous award. These funds will be spent strategically and effectively to help prevent and protect seniors against elder abuse and consumer fraud.  We greatly appreciate the time and effort expended by all of the attorneys involved in this litigation and the court’s approval of this distribution.”

San Luis Obispo Legal Assistance Foundation is a nonprofit organization that has been serving SLO County residents for 25 years. SLOLAF staff and a dedicated team of volunteer attorneys help our county’s seniors navigate the legal system in cases that commonly involve elder abuse, housing crises, consumer law, loss of income and loss of independence. SLOLAF also provides legal services to veterans who are homeless or at imminent risk of becoming homeless with the goal of finding permanent housing for them in SLO County.

“The timing of this cy pres award is particularly helpful because SLOLAF is in the process of expanding our services to better meet the needs of our community,” said SLOLAF Board President and local attorney Dallas Mosier. SLOLAF strives to meet the legal needs of SLO County’s residents who cannot afford a private attorney and have no other resources available to them.