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PORAC Legal Defense Fund

Jashua Bane
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AFSCME Local 4041 Legal Defense Fund:

Public Safety Protection Program For Members


You spoke and we listened! AFSCME Public Safety Members can now have peace of mind with outstanding legal representation provided by the Peace Officers Research Association of California (PORAC). PORAC Legal Defense Fund is the nation's largest and most successful legal defense fund run by and for public safety officers.The fund has been in existence since 1974 and has more than 123,000 members. This exclusive benefits is available now for AFSCME members at No Additional Cost! The PORAC LDF provides:

  • Criminal - Representation at the first indication of potential criminal exposure arising from an act or omission committed within the scope of employment, e.g., shooting, custody death, or use of force resulting in serious physical injury. 
  • Civil - Representation by an experienced civil attorney when a member is sued for an act within the scope of employment, but the employing agency refuses to defend the member. When the member's employing agency defends, but fails to fully indemnify that member, the Legal Defense Fund will provide an experienced attorney to monitor the case. 
  • Prison Rape Elimination Act - Provides criminal and, as needed, civil defense in the event an AFSCME member is wrongfully accused of committing a sexual assault on an inmate. 
  • No Cap on Benefits -The PORAC Legal Defense Fund provides unlimited access to attorneys, experts and investigators when reasonably needed to protect its members. Whether the case costs $100,000 or $1,000,000 to defend, the PORAC LDF keeps its long-standing promise of never skimping when members' lives and careers are on the line. 
  • Expansive List of Experienced Panel Attorneys - PORAC only engages highly experienced and well- qualified attorneys, with a history of representing public safety personnel. Already have attorneys that are trusted by your union? PORAC will work with affiliate leadership to make those attorneys part of the LDF attorney panel. 
  • 24 Hour Coverage - PORAC has attorneys available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to handle emergencies or critical incidents.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Q. Who do I call if I have questions about the AFSCME Public Safety Protection Program? Call the member advocacy line at 1-888-556-5631.

Q. How do I file a claim for the legal defense fund benefit? Simply call PORAC LDF and a case coordinator will determine your eligibility for benefits. If the case is coverable, you will be referred to an attorney or law firm in your area. Most calls take less than five minutes. You will then get a follow-up confirmation letter.

Q. What if I am involved in a critical incident outside of normal business hours? The 24-hours-a-day, 365-days-a-year PORAC LDF hotline is available for all critical incidents. When you call, you will get an answering service which will put you in touch with the administrator usually within 10 minutes. 

For more information, visit https://poracldf.org/.