Umhofer, Mitchell & King LLP Wins 2024 CLAY Award for Landmark Homelessness Case

We are thrilled to announce that Umhofer, Mitchell & King LLP has been honored with the prestigious 2024 California Lawyer Attorneys of the Year (CLAY) Award. This recognition, featured in the June 26th edition of the Daily Journal, celebrates our firm’s pivotal role in advancing civil rights by addressing homelessness in Los Angeles through groundbreaking litigation.

Our partners, Elizabeth Mitchell and Matthew Umhofer, were recognized for their leadership in the case LA Alliance for Human Rights, et al. v. City and County of Los Angeles, which has been a crucial step forward in ensuring that the rights of homeless individuals are protected. The lawsuit demanded that local governments take concrete actions to address the growing crisis of homelessness, a task that had long been neglected.

The litigation began as a response to the inaction of local authorities, with the aim of pushing Los Angeles City and County to provide shelter and services for the homeless population. Through intense negotiations, hearings, and strategic legal action, our firm has successfully advocated for the allocation of over $3 billion toward housing and essential services for the homeless community. We are currently working towards an even more significant commitment of $4 billion.

Judge David O. Carter played a key role in overseeing the proceedings, which culminated in a series of settlements that are now shaping the future of homelessness policy in Los Angeles. The result of these efforts has been the construction of thousands of new shelter beds and the implementation of services aimed at supporting the most vulnerable members of our society.

As we move forward, our firm remains committed to ensuring that the city and county meet their obligations under the agreement. We believe that this victory is not just a win for our firm, but for the entire community, as it represents a major step toward a more equitable and just society.

We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to our dedicated team, our clients, and the community for their unwavering support. Together, we are making a lasting impact.