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Find a Lawyer in Clovis

Free Legal Resources for Fresno County Residents

🌾 Rodeo
🏡 Family City
🌲 Gateway to Sierra
Sergei Tokmakov, Esq. · Updated February 2026
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120K
Population
⚖️
400+
Attorneys
🏛️
1
Courthouses
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#70
CA City Size

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What's Your Legal Issue?

🚗 Car Accident Assessment 🩹 Personal Injury Assessment 🏠 Landlord-Tenant Assessment 💔 Divorce Assessment 🏗️ Workers Compensation Assessment
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Real Estate & Landlord-Tenant

Landlord-tenant disputes, security deposit claims, and real estate transactions in Clovis. No local rent control — AB 1482 applies to qualifying buildings. Use our free demand letter generator for deposit disputes.

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Family Law

Divorce, child custody, and support cases in Clovis. Navigating family court can be complex — get help understanding your rights and options in this community.

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Personal Injury

Car accidents on SR-168, SR-41, slip-and-fall incidents at local businesses, and pedestrian injuries in Clovis. If you've been hurt near Old Town Clovis, know your rights.

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Employment Law

Wrongful termination, wage theft, and workplace discrimination claims in Clovis's agriculture sector and beyond. California labor protections are among the strongest in the nation.

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Business Law

Business formation, contract disputes, and commercial litigation in Clovis. From startups to established firms in agriculture, get legal guidance for your business needs.

📝 Generate a Free Demand Letter

Create a professional legal demand letter for common Clovis legal issues.

🏛️ Clovis Courthouses

Fresno Courthouse

1100 Van Ness Ave, Fresno 93724

Civil Criminal

Fresno County Court Filing Quick Reference

Small Claims Filing Fee
$30 - $75
$30 (up to $1,500) / $50 ($1,500-$5,000) / $75 ($5,001-$12,500)
Small Claims Limit
$12,500
Individual limit · $6,250 for businesses
Civil Filing Fee
$435
Unlimited civil (over $35K) / Fee waivers available
Court Hours
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday – Friday · Closed state holidays
Self-Help Center
Free Walk-In

Local Court Tips for Clovis

Self-Help Center Hours: Mon-Fri 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM (Fresno County Superior Court, B.F. Sisk Courthouse)

Busiest Days: Monday mornings are heaviest; small claims calendars run on Tuesdays and Wednesdays

Fresno County Superior Court offers mediation through the Fresno County Bar Association. Free small claims mediation available.

Local Rule: Fresno County requires an Early Neutral Evaluation conference for all civil cases and has a fast-track rule for cases under $25,000

Free Legal Resources

📊 Clovis Legal Landscape

🌾 Agricultural Economy

Key Industry agriculture and food processing dominate Clovis's economy. Farm labor disputes, wage violations, and water rights are frequent legal issues.

🚗 Traffic & Commuting

SR-168 corridors including SR-168, SR-41 serve Clovis. Car accidents, commuter injuries, and road-rage incidents generate significant personal injury claims.

🏠 Housing Market

AB 1482 Clovis is covered by California's statewide AB 1482 tenant protections. Landlord-tenant disputes, security deposits, and eviction defense are common.

👥 Community Growth

Active Clovis continues to grow and diversify. Family law, consumer protection, and neighborhood disputes are common legal needs.

📜 Clovis Local Laws & Ordinances

City-specific regulations beyond California state law that affect Clovis residents.

Clovis Heritage Preservation Ordinance

Protects historic properties in Old Town Clovis. Requires Design Review Board approval for exterior modifications. Demolition of designated historic structures prohibited without special permit.

Clovis Agricultural Buffer Ordinance

Requires buffer zones between new residential development and active agricultural operations. Developers must disclose proximity to farming operations in property sales.

Clovis Cannabis Prohibition

Bans all commercial cannabis operations within city limits. The city has opted out of allowing recreational dispensaries, cultivation, or manufacturing.

📋 Common Clovis Legal Cases

Real-world legal scenarios frequently seen in the Clovis area.

Rodeo Ground Horse Injury

A spectator at the Clovis Rodeo was injured when a horse broke through a fence barrier. The rodeo association's liability waiver was challenged as the barrier was improperly maintained.

Typical outcome: $30,000-$150,000 range

Old Town Commercial Lease Dispute

A small business owner in Old Town Clovis was evicted when their landlord sold the building to a developer. The tenant had three years remaining on their lease and lost $50,000 in leasehold improvements.

Typical outcome: $25,000-$100,000 range

Shaw Avenue Multi-Car Collision

A distracted driver caused a chain-reaction crash on Shaw Avenue near the Fresno-Clovis border. Three vehicles were involved, with two passengers suffering herniated discs requiring epidural injections.

Typical outcome: $35,000-$175,000 range

🗺️ Clovis Neighborhoods & Legal Issues

Different areas of Clovis face distinct legal challenges.

Old Town Clovis

Historic property disputes, commercial lease conflicts, heritage preservation compliance issues

Clovis East / Loma Vista

New construction defects, HOA disputes in master-planned communities, agricultural buffer complaints

Northwest Clovis / Harlan Ranch

New subdivision warranty claims, Mello-Roos tax disputes, traffic accidents on Herndon Avenue

South Clovis / Sierra Vista

Residential neighbor disputes, family law matters, school zone traffic safety issues

📅 Seasonal Legal Issues in Clovis

Legal issues in Clovis that follow seasonal patterns.

Rodeo Season (Apr)

Clovis Rodeo events create premises liability exposure, parking lot accidents, and DUI enforcement increases during the annual celebration.

Harvest Season (Jul-Oct)

Agricultural operations near residential areas generate dust complaints, pesticide drift claims, and farm labor wage disputes.

Summer (Jun-Sep)

Extreme Central Valley heat drives workplace injury claims, AC habitability complaints in rentals, and swimming pool accident cases.

📊 Clovis Area Typical Legal Outcomes

Approximate ranges based on Fresno County court data. Every case is unique.

Auto Accident (PI)
$25,000-$150,000
Shaw Ave and Herndon Ave corridors
Security Deposit Recovery
$800-$3,000
Fresno metro rental market
Commercial Lease Dispute
$20,000-$100,000
Old Town and shopping center cases
Construction Defect
$20,000-$80,000
New subdivision warranty issues

Disclaimer: These ranges are illustrative estimates. Actual outcomes depend on case specifics. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.

🆓 Free Legal Help in Clovis

Several organizations provide free legal services to Clovis residents who meet income requirements.

Central California Legal Services (CCLS)

125% FPL Provides free civil legal services to low-income residents of Fresno and surrounding Central Valley counties in housing, family, consumer, and benefits cases.

California Rural Legal Assistance (CRLA)

125% FPL Serves rural agricultural communities in the Fresno area with free legal assistance on employment rights, housing, education, and immigration.

2026 Federal Poverty Level: $33,000 for family of 4. 125% FPL = $41,250 · 200% FPL = $66,000. Fee waiver forms available for court filing costs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Personal injury: Contingency (25-40% of settlement) — you pay nothing upfront.
Family law: $250-$450/hour. Uncontested divorce: $2,000-$6,000.
Criminal defense: Misdemeanor: $2,000-$6,000. Felony: $7,000-$30,000.
Business law: $200-$450/hour.
Real estate: $200-$400/hour for transactions.

Clovis rates are typical for the Central Valley market. Many attorneys offer free initial consultations.
Gateway to the Sierras, rodeo heritage: Clovis's character as gateway to the sierras, rodeo heritage shapes the types of legal issues residents face.

Key industries (agriculture, healthcare, education): These sectors generate employment disputes, business litigation, and regulatory compliance issues.

Major corridors (SR-168, SR-41): High traffic volume on these routes leads to frequent car accident and personal injury claims.

Local landmarks: Areas near Old Town Clovis see premises liability, commercial disputes, and visitor-related legal issues.
Handle yourself:
• Small claims under $12,500
• Security deposit disputes (use our demand letter generator)
• Simple consumer refund demands
• Traffic tickets
• Uncontested divorce with no kids or major assets

Hire a lawyer:
• Any criminal charges
• Serious injuries (medical bills over $5,000)
• Child custody battles
• Employment discrimination or wrongful termination
• Complex agricultural disputes matters
• Real estate transactions over $500K

Take our free assessment to find out if you need an attorney.
1. Bar referral: Fresno County Bar Association Referral Service for vetted attorney matches.

2. Verify license: California State Bar website to check discipline history.

3. Legal aid: Central California Legal Services (CCLS) for income-qualified residents.

4. Interview attorneys: Most Clovis lawyers offer free initial consultations. Meet 2-3 before deciding.

5. Check reviews: Look at Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, and Google reviews for Clovis-area attorneys.
No local rent control.

Clovis does not have its own rent control ordinance. However, California's statewide AB 1482 (Tenant Protection Act) applies to qualifying properties:
• Covers buildings 15+ years old with 2+ units
• Rent increases capped at 5% + local CPI (max 10%) per year
• Requires just cause for eviction

Exempt: Single-family homes (unless owned by a corporation), condos, buildings less than 15 years old, owner-occupied duplexes.

For security deposit disputes, use our demand letter generator.
Fresno Courthouse (1100 Van Ness Ave, Fresno 93724) handles Civil, Criminal. Phone: (559) 457-1900.

Use the Court Self-Help Center for filing guidance and forms.

🤔 DIY or Hire a Lawyer?

Use this quick guide to decide whether you can handle your Clovis legal issue yourself or need professional representation.

Handle It Yourself

  • Small claims under $12,500
  • Security deposit demands
  • Simple consumer refund disputes
  • Traffic tickets
  • Uncontested divorce (no kids or major assets)
  • Basic contract disagreements
  • Neighbor dispute mediation
  • Simple demand letters

Hire a Lawyer

  • Any criminal charges
  • Serious injuries (medical bills over $5,000)
  • Child custody battles
  • Employment discrimination or wrongful termination
  • Real estate transactions over $500K
  • Complex business disputes
  • Estate planning and elder law matters
  • Agricultural labor disputes and water rights

Not sure? Take our free 2-minute assessment →

📚 Legal Resources for Clovis Residents

More free tools and guides from Terms.Law for Clovis residents.

Free Legal Calculators

Free tools relevant to common Clovis legal issues:

Statute of Limitations

Filing deadline by case type

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Security Deposit

Interest & penalty calculator

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Child Support

Monthly payment estimate

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