Public Counsel has recognized LA associate Rohit Nath and Susman Godfrey with its venerated pro bono award for their work defending the City of Los Angeles’s COVID-19 eviction protection and rent freeze ordinances. These ordinances have been a critical part of keeping low-income tenants safely and stably housed during the pandemic. Nath represented two organizations –Strategic Actions For a Just Economy (SAJE) and Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment (ACCE) – who intervened to support the ordinances when they faced legal attack.
Among other things, Rohit led the intervenors’ litigation team on critical constitutional issues in the case. He prepared, drafted, and argued a key opposition to a preliminary injunction motion brought by plaintiff AAGLA seeking to invalidate the ordinances. That motion remains pending. Rohit’s involvement and leadership in the case has greatly expanded the capacity of Public Counsel attorneys.
The Homelessness Prevention Law Project (HPLP) nominated Rohit to receive Public Counsel’s pro bono award because of his outstanding service and commitment to fighting for the rights of thousands of vulnerable low-income tenants in the City of Los Angeles.
“I am honored to have been recognized by Public Counsel. It’s been a privilege to represent SAJE and ACCE, and I hope that our work will help provide a measure of relief for those whose housing has been threatened by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Nath, who accepted the award on October 30.
The other 2020 recipients of Public Counsel’s pro bono awards can be found here.
At Susman Godfrey we take seriously our obligation as lawyers to use our skills and position in society to make our communities better places to live. You can read more about our pro bono efforts here.
