Leonard Carder is proud to assist United Teachers Los Angeles in its effort to support children and families during the pandemic. UTLA represents the more than 31,000 educators employed by the Los Angeles Unified School District. On January 21, 2021, Leonard Carder submitted an amicus curiae or “friend of the court” brief on behalf of UTLA urging the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals to maintain Los Angeles’ Eviction Moratorium Ordinance. The ordinance aims to prevent families from being evicted from their homes for nonpayment of rent due to financial hardship related to COVID-19. As shown in UTLA’s brief, children cannot regularly participate in school during the pandemic unless they have stable housing. Los Angeles’ ordinance, by helping to keep children housed, reduces the number of children who will suffer the loss of education while physical schools must stay safely closed to prevent the further spread of the virus. On February 16, 2021, the court granted UTLA’s motion for leave to file its brief as amicus curiae paving the way for UTLA’s arguments to be considered by the court.
