About Us

How We Work

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Direct Services

Public Counsel provides free direct legal services and support or matches clients with pro bono advocates, ensuring they have a partner standing with them, their families, and our communities as they pursue justice.

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Policy Advocacy

Public Counsel addresses the root causes of inequities in our society by advocating for inclusive policy solutions in collaboration with grassroots coalitions and the communities most impacted by systemic oppression.

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Impact Litigation

Public Counsel files strategic impact litigation so entire communities get the justice they deserve. By setting legal precedents and challenging unjust laws, our cases spark large-scale change in our society.

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Pro Bono Partnerships

Since its inception, Public Counsel has relied on pro bono attorneys, law students, paralegals, and other legal professionals to partner with us in supporting clients, taking on high-impact cases, and strengthening our advocacy efforts.

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Social Work Integration

Public Counsel values an interdisciplinary approach to law and social work that strengthens trauma-informed legal advocacy and advances effective outcomes across its work. 

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Resource Library

Popular Resources

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Guide

06/12/26

Navigating the Title IX Process: A Guide for Student Survivors of Sexual Violence in College Settings

Navigating the Title IX complaint process can be both emotionally taxing and empowering. This guide aims to make that process more navigable and less daunting. You can use this guide...

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Guide

06/10/26

Eligiendo La Entidad Juridica De Su Negocio

Al comenzar un negocio, es común tener preguntas como cómo proteger sus activos personales (por ejemplo, su hogar), cómo paga impuestos el negocio y cómo obtener dinero para hacer crecer...

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Report

06/05/26

Combating Notario Fraud in California: A Call to Action

Notario fraud, or the unauthorized practice of immigration law, causes grave harm to countless immigrants and is pervasive across California and the U.S. Too often, individuals who are not authorized...

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How We Work

See All

Direct Services

Public Counsel provides free direct legal services and support or matches clients with pro bono advocates, ensuring they have a partner standing with them, their families, and our communities as they pursue justice.

Learn More

Policy Advocacy

Public Counsel addresses the root causes of inequities in our society by advocating for inclusive policy solutions in collaboration with grassroots coalitions and the communities most impacted by systemic oppression.

Learn More

Impact Litigation

Public Counsel files strategic impact litigation so entire communities get the justice they deserve. By setting legal precedents and challenging unjust laws, our cases spark large-scale change in our society.

Learn More

Pro Bono Partnerships

Since its inception, Public Counsel has relied on pro bono attorneys, law students, paralegals, and other legal professionals to partner with us in supporting clients, taking on high-impact cases, and strengthening our advocacy efforts.

Learn More

Social Work Integration

Public Counsel values an interdisciplinary approach to law and social work that strengthens trauma-informed legal advocacy and advances effective outcomes across its work. 

Learn More

Popular Resources

See All

Guide

06/12/26

Navigating the Title IX Process: A Guide for Student Survivors of Sexual Violence in College Settings

Navigating the Title IX complaint process can be both emotionally taxing and empowering. This guide aims to make that process more navigable and less daunting. You can use this guide...

Learn More

Guide

06/10/26

Eligiendo La Entidad Juridica De Su Negocio

Al comenzar un negocio, es común tener preguntas como cómo proteger sus activos personales (por ejemplo, su hogar), cómo paga impuestos el negocio y cómo obtener dinero para hacer crecer...

Learn More

Report

06/05/26

Combating Notario Fraud in California: A Call to Action

Notario fraud, or the unauthorized practice of immigration law, causes grave harm to countless immigrants and is pervasive across California and the U.S. Too often, individuals who are not authorized...

Learn More

Events

03/01/24

Celebrating Champions of Change at Public Counsel’s William O. Douglas Award Dinner

This past weekend marked Public Counsel’s most special night of the year—that of the William O. Douglas Award Dinner. It was an evening dedicated to celebrating the extraordinary achievements of our honorees and the innovative work of Public Counsel. As always, it was deeply inspiring to come together in community and reaffirm our dedication to building a more just future.

Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi addresses the audience after receiving the William O. Douglas Award.

This year, we had the honor of recognizing Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi with the William O. Douglas Award for her extraordinary career in public service and leadership in passing generation-defining legislation, such as the Affordable Care Act and the American Rescue Plan. We celebrated the pro bono commitment of Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP with the Law Firm Pro Bono Award, including its recent case filed in collaboration with Public Counsel to vindicate the rights of transition age youth in L.A. County’s foster care system. We recognized Mattel, Inc. with the Corporate Achievement Award for its commitment to sustainable design and development, responsible sourcing and production, and thriving and inclusive communities.

We also celebrated Public Counsel’s banner achievements over the past year, uplifting our bold efforts to pursue our vision of an equitable society where all people thrive, with systems and laws delivering the promise of justice to all. We showcased three videos of key victories: an immigrant survivor’s decade-long fight for security, a campaign by street vendors to rewrite California’s retail food code and legalize food vending, and a family’s groundbreaking settlement to create safer schools for students with disabilities.

As we reflect on this memorable evening, we are filled with gratitude for the generosity and dedication of our supporters.  The William O. Douglas Award Dinner is Public Counsel’s flagship fundraiser, annually bringing in much-needed funds to sustain our vital work. We are so grateful to have such loyal contributors who make this work possible! Click here for the list of event sponsors.

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