About Us

How We Work

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Direct Services

Our team 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

We address 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

Our team 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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Pro Bono Partnerships

Since its inception, Public Counsel has relied upon the generous donation of pro bono services from lawyers, legal professionals, and law students as the keystone for our model of delivering free legal services to low-income communities.

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Resource Library

Popular Resources

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FAQsGuide

01/13/26

Medical and Dental Credit Cards—WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Do you need medical or dental care but can’t afford it? Are you thinking about making payments or signing up for credit? Be careful! Medical or dental credit cards can...

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Guide

01/08/26

What courses must I take to file a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy?

All individuals who file a chapter 7 bankruptcy must take two courses to receive a discharge of their debts: Credit Counseling and Personal Financial Management. This guide will help you...

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Template

01/08/26

Pleading Paper Caption Page

If there isn’t a court form for what you need to file in your bankruptcy case, you will need to write your own court papers on pleading paper. The first...

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How We Work

See All

Direct Services

Our team 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

We address 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

Our team 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

Pro Bono Partnerships

Since its inception, Public Counsel has relied upon the generous donation of pro bono services from lawyers, legal professionals, and law students as the keystone for our model of delivering free legal services to low-income communities.

Learn More

Popular Resources

See All

FAQsGuide

01/13/26

Medical and Dental Credit Cards—WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Do you need medical or dental care but can’t afford it? Are you thinking about making payments or signing up for credit? Be careful! Medical or dental credit cards can...

Learn More

Guide

01/08/26

What courses must I take to file a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy?

All individuals who file a chapter 7 bankruptcy must take two courses to receive a discharge of their debts: Credit Counseling and Personal Financial Management. This guide will help you...

Learn More

Template

01/08/26

Pleading Paper Caption Page

If there isn’t a court form for what you need to file in your bankruptcy case, you will need to write your own court papers on pleading paper. The first...

Learn More

Children with Developmental Disabilities

Overview
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Public Counsel advocates for equitable access to services and supports for children with developmental disabilities—particularly children of color who face systemic barriers and disparities in California’s regional center and education systems. We engage in legislative and policy reform, publish tools and guides to empower families, and take legal action when children are subjected to discrimination, abuse, or denied the services they are entitled to. Our work includes challenging harmful practices in schools, addressing racial disparities in service delivery, and equipping families with resources to advocate for their children’s rights.

Litigation

We pursue litigation to protect the rights of children with developmental disabilities and ensure equitable access to education and services.

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Kerri K. v. State of California

Disability RightsEducation Equity

05/15/19

Padres Buscando el Cambio v. Harbor Developmental Disabilities Foundation

Disability Rights

11/08/21

Videos

Check out stories highlighting Public Counsel’s advocacy for children with developmental disabilities and their families.

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Get Help

Services

Contact our team

Public Counsel focuses on policy advocacy, systems change, and empowering families and organizations advocating for children with developmental disabilities. While we generally do not provide individual legal representation, we partner with communities to advance equitable access to education and services.

If you or your organization would like to partner with us in our advocacy efforts, please email Brian Capra here, or call (213) 385-2977, ext. 500, and leave a message.