In 2012, Legal Aid of Marin (“LAM”) and the Marin Superior Court began the Unlawful Detainer Mandatory Settlement Conference. This collaborative effort has been extremely successful with many benefits for tenants, landlords and the Court. The vast majority of cases in which both sides appear are settled before trial.

As we all know, the Bay Area is facing more housing issues, and Marin County is no exception. Our eviction settlement calendar has been growing longer each month, and is assisting in more cases than ever before.

We urgently need more attorneys to volunteer in order for this vital program to continue. It is not necessary for you to specialize in housing law, since LAM attorneys will provide all the basic training needed.

You will be asked to assist a tenant or landlord depending on the need, and focus on negotiating a settlement before the trial date, which in some cases may be the next day. Our calendars are heard every other Thursday, beginning at 1:00 pm and ending by 4:00 pm.

LAM will contact the attorneys before the court date to confirm attendance, and provide the calendar to help with conflict checks. Below is a list of upcoming court dates. Please consider volunteering your time for at least one of these afternoons. Thank you very much, and we hope to hear from all of you!

We have an immediate need for pro bono assistance at the Thursday January 5 and 19 UD Mandatory Settlement Conferences. Please contact Legal Aid of Marin Staff Attorney Laurie Joyce at ljoyce@legalaidmarin.org or 415-492-0230 x312 to sign up to volunteer.