At Martin & Martin, we respect the adage: to whom much is given, much is expected. Our attorneys have a long tradition of stepping up to help the city’s most vulnerable residents.  To us, giving back is more than a professional obligation; it’s personal.

We are grateful to be a part of the thriving Los Angeles legal community.  With this tremendous opportunity comes a responsibility to answer to the tens of thousands of residents in the county, many of whom live below the poverty line and lack access to adequate educational and health resources.

Commitment

Martin & Martin attorneys and staff together devote countless hours to various philanthropic organizations by participating in back-to-school drives, Christmas toy give-aways, health fairs, community rallies, and food and clothing drives.  You can also find Martin & Martin in the community working to better the lives of Los Angeles residents by providing pro bono legal services to disability rights organizations, indigent health organizations, charter and private schools, religious organizations, and low-income individuals.  We provide advice and counsel on landlord tenant disputes, small claims court matters, school law and family law matters.

The firm understands the importance of being trailblazers in the legal and non-profit community.  In addition to offering pro bono legal services, we operate a free legal clinic – Advocates for All – at public parks and neighborhood centers at various times throughout the year.  Our commitment to the community is also demonstrated by attorneys and staff who take on leadership roles on the board of various non-profit organizations.

We also provide pro bono legal and business advice to entreprenuers and small businesses, and have helped individuals and start-up companies secure financing, formulate business plans, draft personnel policies and manuals, and develop marketing strategies.

Leadership

In 2005, Managing Partner Areva Martin created Special Needs Network, Inc. (SNN), a non-profit organization whose mission is to raise public awareness of developmental disabilities, while also providing educational and other resources to those who live in underserved communities.

When her son, Marty, was diagnosed with autism, Ms. Martin discovered that it was commonplace for diagnoses to be delayed two years on average for children living in underserved communities.  She was appalled, since two years can mean the difference between a child’s ability to one day live on his own, or a lifetime of institutionalized care. Ms. Martin knew she couldn’t stand to do nothing while these children were being denied a future.

Since its inception, Special Needs Network has provided services to more than 20,000 children and families and raised millions of dollars for autism and related causes. As a commissioner on the California Blue Ribbon Commission on Autism, Ms. Martin also played a key role in passing legislation that positively impacts individuals with developmental disabilities.  As Chair of the South Los Angeles Regional Task Force for the California Senate Select Committee on Autism, she continues to advocate for policies at the local, state, and national levels that provide resources and services to children with developmental disabilities and their families.

Special Needs Network is frequently recognized by elected officials  for its innovation, leadership, and success. The organization’s work on behalf of those with developmental disabilities living in underserved communities has been applauded by many, including Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, Congresswomen Maxine Waters, Laura Richardson, Karen Bass and Diane Watson (Ret.), Los Angeles City Councilmember Herb Wesson, Jr., and California State Senators Curren Price, Jr. and Darrell Steinberg, Assemblysmembers Holly Mitchell, Steve Bradford, Mike Davis and Isadore Hall.

Believing that dignity, hope, and opportunity are the birthright of all children, Special Needs Network’s mission is to make a difference by reducing the delay in diagnosis, bringing resources and services directly to the community, providing unique learning opportunities for special needs children and young adults, and forging an action-based coalition of families who are able to advocate for each other at all levels of government.

To learn more about the Special Needs Network and how you can become a supporter please visit www.specialneedsnetwork.org