Robina Henson ’25 was motivated to help the community in the aftermath of the fires and has worked eight volunteer shifts. “Through this work, I have become better able to continue pro bono work in the tenants, immigration, and FEMA spaces, and I am grateful to LAFLA for partnering with UCLA to provide students with this opportunity,” she says.

In addition to gaining specific legal skills related to disaster relief, Grimmer, Henson, and their fellow students are learning how to address issues around meeting the needs of immigrant communities, protecting tenants’ rights, and addressing the lack of affordable housing.

“The community benefits from free legal assistance on critical areas thanks to the support of students volunteering at the DRC, and it’s wonderful to witness such a strong commitment among the next generation of lawyers,” says Carlos H. Valdes, the pro bono manager at LAFLA. “Many wildfire survivors seeking help would otherwise struggle to navigate legal processes on their own. This support can prevent homelessness, unfair evictions, and financial exploitation during this critical time.”

The students also attended trainings touching on non-legal matters, like how to work with people who have undergone trauma, which Grimmer says is essential to providing support for her grandmother and others.

“We learn about issues in class, but working directly with clients shows us that the law is personal and requires a human touch,” she says. “We are helping people rebuild their lives.”