In 1998, six Christian attorneys got together to form a nonprofit corporation for the purpose of providing legal services to the poorest and most needy segment of society in Southern California. In 1999, the Christian Legal Aid Foundation was incorporated as a nonprofit, religious California Corporation. It operates as the Christian Legal Aid Office.

From the beginning, free legal advice was provided on a monthly basis to the needy at the Orange County Rescue Mission and the Salvation Army. Between 2003 and 2006, Attorney Robert R. Anderson served as the CLAO Executive Director and staff attorney and worked hard to transition the organization to the provision of free legal representation of the indigent in court. Bob retired and moved his family to Iowa in December 2006.

Currently the organization has a growing number of volunteer attorneys with a variety of legal skills and backgrounds.  The organization is enthusiastically supported by the Christian Legal Society of Orange County and a growing number of Orange County churches and individuals.

Deliver the poor who cries out, the fatherless and the one who has no help. Search out the case that you do not know.
Job 28: 12, 16