The Legal Aid September Attorney of the Month is an associate at the firm of Velasquez Dolan Arias, P.A. Alejandro Larrazabal has been involved in pro bono work for most of his career and has provided life changing assistance to some of the most vulnerable members of our community.
Recently, Larrazabal helped a client with the reinstatement of her rent assistance subsidy. The client was receiving rent assistance from the local Housing Authority for herself and her two minor children. Their landlord terminated the lease early with just seven days’ notice, forcing the client to move. The client contacted the Housing Authority before she moved as is required, but could not reach anyone by phone. She then sent a written notice to the Housing Authority which was received the day after she moved.
The Housing Authority terminated the client’s subsidy for failure of proper notification before moving and the hearing officer failed to consider mitigating circumstances at the hearing and affirmed the termination. Without the subsidy she was unable to afford to rent elsewhere and became homeless. Mr. Larrazabal filed a case to appeal the decision of the hearing officer. He was able to negotiate a settlement and the Housing Authority agreed to restore the client’s housing benefits. Mr. Larrazabal’s work allowed the client and her two children to avoid homelessness and be able to afford to rent a new home.
Mr. Larrazabal is also representing a Legal Aid client on a pending appeal. The client obtained a permanent restraining order against her ex-boyfriend for protection against stalking, which he appealed. Mr. Larrazabal is assisting the client to keep the order in place.
Mr. Larrazabal’s practice focuses are on personal injury litigation, appellate matters, and commercial litigation. Mr. Larrazabal serves as Chairman of the Hispanic Committee of the Broward County Bar Association and is a member of the Appellate Practice Section and Trial Lawyers Section of The Florida Bar. Thank you, Alejandro Larrazabal, for your devotion to Justice for All! Because of your contributions, we have helped members of our community who otherwise might not have received legal assistance.