Social Work
Justice Requires an Interdisciplinary Approach
Social workers and legal advocates share a commitment to justice, dignity, and ethical practice. Integrating these disciplines strengthens our ability to promote safety, trust, and empowerment so clients are not only legally represented, but genuinely supported throughout their justice journey.
Our Areas of Expertise
Our Approach
Social work is woven into legal advocacy across Public Counsel’s direct services, impact litigation, and policy work. Staff social workers and Master of Social Work (MSW) interns practice within a defined legal scope, offering support in furtherance of the legal case as part of the legal team. This scope is covered by attorney–client confidentiality, not mandated reporting, which promotes trust and allows clients to engage without fear. Social workers collaborate with legal teams from the outset to understand the context shaping a client’s experience, identify barriers to engagement, and guide communication and strategy through a trauma-informed lens.
1
Direct Services
Providing trauma-informed stabilization, resource navigation, and psychosocial support to help clients manage instability, navigate the overwhelm that can accompany a legal case, and meaningfully participate in their case.
2
Organizational Collaboration
Providing consultation, reflective space, and guidance to colleagues to strengthen communication and support trauma-informed practice. The Social Work team also builds organizational capacity through trainings on trauma-informed legal advocacy, compassion fatigue and secondary trauma, navigating client crises, and maintaining healthy boundaries.
3
Policy Advocacy & Systems Change
Social work brings a trauma-informed perspective to impact litigation and systems change by grounding advocacy in lived experience and community voice. This perspective informs how we engage with plaintiffs and organizational partners to promote dignity, trust, and clarity throughout the advocacy process.
The Social Work Team
Our Social Work Team supports communities navigating trauma, instability, and systemic inequities that affect their ability to meaningfully engage in their legal case. Social workers are trained in trauma-informed practice, cultural humility, systems thinking, and strengths-based assessment. Their expertise makes our advocacy more responsive, client- and community-centered, and effective.
The MSW Internship
Our trauma-informed legal advocacy approach is supported by a Master of Social Work (MSW) Internship Program that expands our capacity to bring a social work lens into legal advocacy.
Videos
Our latest videos about Public Counsel’s holistic approach to legal services through the integration of social work.
Are you looking for legal services?
Get help
