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Pepperdine | Caruso School of Law

Disaster Relief Clinic

Our Work

The Pepperdine Caruso School of Law has established a strong framework for disaster recovery related legal services since beginning disaster recovery work in 2017. Its faculty, students, and staff have served neighbors recovering from Hurricane Harvey, Thomas Fire, Camp Fire, Woolsey Fire, Lahaina Fire on Maui, Hurricanes Helene and Milton, and now the 2025 Wildfires across Los Angeles. 

The Disaster Relief Clinic and its associate pro bono programs seeks to close the justice gap for those affected by disasters by providing a swift and continuing response to disasters as legal needs transition from the immediate need for assistance with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and insurance to transitioning to recovery and rebuilding. For the 2025 Los Angeles Fires, the Disaster Relief Clinic is providing community education, attorney training, and pro bono limited scope clinics. The School of Law is planning to expand and scale these programs up soon to include direct legal services and more.

Student Experience

Students gain hands-on experience in the transitioning legal needs of clients recovering from disasters in matters navigating bureaucratic and administrative processes, insurance, government permits and benefits, and rebuilding. This work will include advice and counsel, evaluation and analysis, negotiation and advocacy, research and writing, and guidance on legal matters as they arise and evolve during the course of recovery and rebuilding.

 


 

Pepperdine LA wildfires

January 2025 Wildfires in Los Angeles

In response to the devastating fires that have impacted so many in the Los Angeles area, the Pepperdine Caruso Law Legal Clinics are launching pro bono disaster response programs to support our neighbors in need and lawyers looking to serve them. These events are open to the public and recordings of online sessions will be available after the event. For additional disaster support resources, please visit our Wildfire Community Support webpage.


Community Education Video

Pepperdine Caruso School of Law Disaster Relief Clinic: Community Education on FEMA and Insurance Questions

This video and its accompanying materials offer general guidance and advice on applying for FEMA assistance after the Los Angeles Wildfires of January 2025. These materials also include guidance and information on FEMA appeals, making initial insurance claims, and how FEMA and insurance relate. This is not legal advice, and this material does not create an attorney-client relationship with the School of Law Clinics. We hope that this information and guidance will be helpful to people just beginning to navigate the aftermath of losses from the wildfires.

FEMA and Insurance Education Sessions PDF


Attorney Training Video

Pepperdine Caruso School of Law Disaster Relief Clinic: Attorney Training for Pro Bono FEMA and Insurance Practice

This video and its accompanying materials offer training to licensed California attorneys aiming to provide pro bono, limited-scope legal services to people who suffered losses in the Los Angeles Wildfires of January 2025. This training offers basic orientation to FEMA's Individual & Households Program and its relationship to early insurance claims. The training offers advice and guidance on practice for limited-scope clients in the early phases of survival, recovery, and rebuilding. Attorneys relying on this training for pro bono, limited scope practice always bear the burden of their own professional responsibility and their relationships with clients. We hope that this information and guidance will be helpful to lawyers serving our neighbors quickly and competently.

Attorney Training on FEMA and Insurance PDF


Resources


For further information about the Disaster Relief Clinic, please contact Professors Jeff Baker and Peter Fendel.