Clients & Testimonials
Pacyinz Lyfoung has been an invaluable partner to our cooperative during a particularly complex and challenging period. Through a grant-funded project from October 2022 to April 2023, she led a systematic review of our governance and asset management. This included a thorough analysis and restatement of key documents—bylaws, occupancy agreements, contracts with our property manager, developer, and lender—so that board members could better understand and oversee them.
As a volunteer consultant to our Board of Directors, she also provided critical legal guidance on contract matters, funding opportunities, and our potential transition to 501(c)(3) status. When significant issues emerged with our property management company, Pacyinz helped identify financial irregularities, advised on emergency responses, and supported us through the demanding process of applying for city funding.
Even after our grant funding fell through, she continued to assist on a pro bono basis—helping in our search for a fiscal sponsor, advising on next steps, and connecting us to legal resources at UDC’s Community Development Law Clinic.
She also secured a grant to lead an Oral History project to document the community’s origins and is currently completing a self-governance manual for the cooperative’s future use.
Pacyinz brings a strong combination of legal expertise, steady support, and genuine commitment to community-centered work—qualities that have made a meaningful difference to our cooperative.
Marvin Gabriel, Board Chair, The Cooperative at 1477
Pacyinz Lyfoung was an invaluable asset to the residents of 1433 Columbia Rd. After the explosion, emotions were running high, and tenants were uncertain about how to move forward, with each person developing different plans due to their lack of familiarity with the situation. Miss Lyfoung offered her services immediately to the tenant association, thoroughly researching the building’s status, and how the owner had used tactics to keep the building in uninhabitable condition. She expertly created a clear plan of action for the tenants, ensuring their best interests were protected throughout the process.
Miss Lyfoung was consistently available at every stage of the case, keeping the tenant association up to date with what is going on with court hearings and also advocating for the tenant association. She patiently answered their questions, alleviated any concerns, and provided valuable advice on the options available to them. Her unwavering dedication, legal expertise, and calm demeanor were essential in helping the tenants navigate this unexpected and traumatic event, overcoming numerous challenges and roadblocks along the way.
Kevin Vargas, Central American Resource Center (CARECEN)
Pacyinz Lyfoung has been an exceptional legal representative for the Chicano Youth Center over the past year. Pacyinz has consistently demonstrated outstanding legal acumen, professionalism, and dedication, making them a reliable and invaluable asset in navigating complex legal matters. From our first consultation, Pacyinz was incredibly knowledgeable and took the time to explain every aspect of our case. She has always been available to answer our questions and provided clear, strategic advice. Ms. Lyfoung maintained open lines of communication, always keeping us informed and updated on the progress of our case. Moreover, Pacyinz exhibited an unwavering commitment to us as clients. This dedication is reflected in her willingness to invest the necessary time and effort to achieve the best possible outcomes. I have no hesitation in recommending Ms. Lyfoung to anyone in need of exceptional legal representation. Their expertise, professionalism, and dedication make them an outstanding lawyer who consistently delivers outstanding results.
Irene Serrano, Director, Chicano Youth Center, Fresno—CA.
Pacyinz joined Baldwin House when we were attempting ambitious efforts that had never been done before. Instead of telling us no, she found solutions to help us reach our goals. She has consistently brought tenacity, flexibility to match our work styles, and investment in our mission. We have a strong advocate in Pacyinz.
Gabrielle C. Newell, pronouns: she, her, hers; Baldwin House Community Collective.
Our organization had an exceptional experience working with Pacyinz Lyfoung for our non-profit paperwork filing last year. The process of filling the required documents and submitting them to the IRS is time consuming and overwhelming. On top of that, our specific situation required skills, knowledge, attention to detail, and a level of expertise that goes beyond just filing a form. Throughout the entire process, Paycyinz demonstrated extensive knowledge, responsiveness, and patience. She expertly guided us from the initial consultation to the completion of our application, addressing all of our concerns and ensuring that our paperwork was in order. Even though I didn't know all of the small details that were required to complete the process, she proactively kept our to-do list going and stayed with us the entire process. The most valuable part of the experience was the trust built between us, and the fact that I never questioned for a moment that she had our best interest at heart and that she really cared deeply about helping us navigate the process in order to have the most successful outcome possible. I have already highly recommended her and will continue to do so. Once word gets out that someone has found a hidden gem, it's not fair to keep the secret.
Gail Taylor, Three Part Harmony Center for Agriculture, Food & Learning.
Pacyinz Lyfoung has been absolutely instrumental in the establishment of our project, Baldwin House. First as a collaborator and guide in the execution of our Community Fund, which raised more than $1.4 million in loans that helped us acquire our building, and later as our cooperative's lawyer, guiding is through every critical decision we make as a group, it has always been crystal clear how dedicated and passionate Pacyinz is about building an empowered community through cooperatives. Pacyinz worked with our development consultant to navigate the ins and outs of our building's renovation process, developed and reviewed our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws, laying the groundwork for who our cooperative will be for years to come, and continues to stand out as a fierce advocate, urging us to explore all the options and attend to all risks as we continue to develop our project. On top of all that, Pacyinz brings a kindness and clarity to our work that helps us everything move smoothly and cohesively. We truly could not do it without her.
Abi Shakur, Tenant-Steward and Community Organizer at Baldwin House
Working with Pacyinz has been an excellent experience and a critical step for the Fibers Fund. Her in-depth knowledge of DC nonprofit law helped us smoothly navigate the process of setting up our nonprofit corporation—a key step in creating an innovative fund structure that is aligned with our values and mission. We’re grateful for Pacyinz’s flexibility, creativity, and professionalism during this process! As a fund focused on economic equity, we especially appreciate the deep background in social justice and resilient community-based economic models that Pacyinz brings to all her work.
Sarah Kelley, Fiber Collective.
Pacyinz Lyfoung is deeply committed to equitable economic development initiatives and community-based models of governance. Her research and legal support was critical to our capacity building and work empowering BIPOC farmers in WA state. We are grateful for her expertise and partnership in our movement.
Friendly Vang-Johnson, Pacific Northwest BIPOC Farmland Trust
Service to Justice worked with Pacyinz in 2023 after she came highly recommended to us by another attorney in late 2022. She is a delight to work with, she's very patient and was very understanding of our needs. She took her time with us and when there were things she couldn't immediately respond to, she researched it and got back to us when she had an answer. Fast forward to now, we are not currently working with her, she still reached out to remind us about renewing our biennial report. We truly appreciate her great work.
Estephany Brito, Service to Justice, DC worker cooperative.