Due to high demand and staffing transitions, we are temporarily pausing our review of new applications for commercial lease assistance and requests for extended and longer-term legal services. Our team is prioritizing narrow legal questions related to business formation, contract review, and trademark/copyright protection that can be supported through our monthly legal clinics and brief consultation formats. Thank you for your understanding as we manage staffing constraints and are temporarily unable to respond to new matters that require extended and longer-term legal assistance until further notice.

Please note that we do not litigate or represent commercial tenants in eviction proceedings, however, we may have limited resources to facilitate legal support on commercial eviction defense needs on a case-by-case basis for small businesses located in Alameda, San Francisco, Santa Clara, and San Mateo Counties. We cannot guarantee commercial eviction defense assistance will be available in every instance and recommend you review the referral options listed below to locate attorney support for immediate assistance on any impending or actual commercial eviction lawsuit. 

In addition, please note that LCCRSF provides tenant-side advocacy. We do not provide legal assistance to residential or commercial landlords. We also cannot advise on tenant-to-tenant disputes or assist master tenants with issues pertaining to their subtenants

If you are a business who is a commercial tenant in the Greater Bay Area, and have received a three-day notice or summons and complaint in an unlawful detainer eviction lawsuit, please read up on your legal rights as a commercial tenant facing eviction at this link, with some suggestions of possible resources: https://lccrsf.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Know-Your-Rights-Printout.docx 

If you have an immediate commercial leasing need or impending commercial eviction lawsuit, please look up your local bar association’s attorney referral program to locate an attorney and explore sliding scale options:  

• The Alameda County Bar Association is providing limited virtual pro bono services. Please call the Alameda County Bar Association intake line for screening: (510) 302-2222 option #4 or submit an online request here. 
• You may be able to receive representation or referrals through the San Francisco Lawyer Referral Service, you can call (415) 989-1616 (hours 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. PST) or fill out their online request form to receive assistance here. 
• The Contra Costa County Bar Association Find a Lawyer service can be reached via phone at (925) 825-5700 or by completing their online form here. 
• The Santa Clara County Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service can be reached by calling (669) 302-7803 or online here. 
• For resident of San Mateo, the San Mateo County Bar Association’s Lawyer Referral Service Program is available by calling (650) 369-4149. 

Other resources to explore for free or low-cost legal assistance: 

• Berkeley Law’s New Business Community Law Clinic offers free legal office hours for eligible entrepreneurs in the East Bay throughout the month. You can see all the dates and locations and register for an appointment here to meet with an attorney. 
• If you are sued as an Alameda County resident, Alameda County Superior Court Self-Help Center offers phone and video consultations as well as a live chat feature to answer questions about your case: Visit their website or call 510-272-1393 for more info. 
• Another legal services organization, Elevate Community Center, provides free legal services to eligible clients for a variety of legal issues. Their application form can be accessed by filling out this form here. 
• You may also receive low-cost representation through the Bay Area Legal Incubator. Visit this link to request legal assistance. 

If you are a commercial tenant in the Bay Area who needs help reviewing and/or negotiating your lease, creating a rent repayment plan, or whose landlord is threatening you with an eviction, we want to help. We offer a variety of services including brief consultations, attorney matching, legal education and webinars that outline commercial lease and tenants’ rights, and referrals. If you have any commercial lease questions, please email lse@lccrsf.org. Please note response times may be delayed given high demand and staffing changes. Thank you for your patience.

Resources for San Francisco and Oakland-Based Small Businesses and Nonprofits

San Francisco

• SF Tenant to Landlord Sample Letter – Repayment Plan
• SF Commercial Lease Negotiation PPT
• SF Commercial Lease Negotiations Webinar (English)
• SF Commercial Lease Negotiations Webinars (Spanish)

Oakland

• Oakland Tenant to Landlord Sample Letter – Repayment Plan
• Oakland Commercial Lease Negotiation PPT
• Oakland Commercial Lease Negotiations Webinar (English)
• Oakland Commercial Lease Negotiations Webinars (Spanish)

How to Apply for Free Legal Services

Legal Services for Entrepreneurs (LSE) provides free legal services to low-income individuals who want to start or develop businesses; businesses committed to investing in economically distressed communities, including hiring people with arrest and conviction records; and mom and pop shops located in areas where gentrification is a force for displacement.

Need business law advice? We can help! 

We serve Bay Area clients that are: 

• Low-income individuals 
• Located in low-income communities; and/or 
• Located in communities of color and have a commitment to hiring from the community 

We provide free legal consultations on: 

• Entity formation
• Terms of a commercial lease 
• Business contracts 
• Employment law 
• Intellectual property 
• Other business concerns 

Please note: We do not provide legal consultation on tax, litigation, or bankruptcy concerns. 

You’ll need to complete an online application form. Once the application form is submitted, LCCRSF staff will contact you to schedule a 30-minute call to listen to your situation and match you with the right attorney and resources.