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2025-01-14 - Weekly Feature - LA Fires

Primerus members encouraged to send aid to LA wildfire victims

By Tom Kirvan

With fires continuing to ravage Pacific Palisades and other parts of Los Angeles, members of the Primerus international community are being urged to support a host of charitable organizations providing relief to residents impacted by the blazes in the nation’s second-largest city.

Primerus President Jack Buchanan issued the call for help this week as the fires, fueled by wind gusts approaching 100 miles per hour, charred thousands of acres across Los Angeles County, leaving an unfathomable trail of destruction that has claimed at least 25 lives, destroyed countless homes and businesses, and displaced more than 150,000 residents.

“We ask each member of Primerus to consider making a donation to some of the various organizations that are providing much-needed relief to residents of Los Angeles who have been severely affected by the fires,” said Buchanan. “In this time of crisis, which tragically shows no signs of abating, we need to step up and help out in any way possible.”

The Los Angeles area is home to several Primerus law firms and members, including Greenberg Glusker, a firm now in its 65th year. Attorney Brian Davidoff, chair of the firm’s Bankruptcy and Capital Recovery Practice Group, reported Monday afternoon that the fires have taken a heavy toll on certain members of the firm. At least one Primerus member has been reported to have lost their home.

“Although I live in an area which has been evacuated, very fortunately my house is still standing,” Davidoff wrote in an e-mail. “Unfortunately, the community next to us – Pacific Palisades – has been decimated. At least two people in the firm have lost their homes, and many of our clients have been affected.”

While the White House has made clear that federal assistance is available to aid in the recovery efforts, the Los Angeles disaster also has prompted an outpouring of donations from around the world, particularly to such well-known relief agencies as the American Red Cross and The Salvation Army.

Those two organizations, of course, are just some of many worthwhile charitable programs involved in providing assistance. Others include: 

  1. Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation
  2. Baby2Baby
  3. California Fire Foundation
  4. Direct Relief
  5. Los Angeles Regional Food Bank
  6. Pasadena Community Foundation
  7. World Central Kitchen
2025-01-14 - Weekly Feature - LA Fires

Davidoff noted that the Los Angeles community will need help far beyond the immediate aftermath of the fires.

“Many residents of the fire burn areas are going to need legal help, but I suspect that this will all be based on California law, although there may be some overall concepts applicable to insurance coverage,” Davidoff said by e-mail.

Sheenika Gandhi, chief marketing officer at Greenberg Glusker, added: “We are still internally putting together pro bono opportunities and as soon as I have more information, I can share. I have this thus far from the State Bar of California: https://www.calbar.ca.gov/Access-to-Justice/Pro-Bono/Volunteer-After-a-Disaster.”

LA Fires Map

*Palisade Fire (2025). Cal Fire, State of California. Retrieved January 14, 2025 from https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2025/1/7/palisades-fire

LA Fires Map Key