About Us

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 upon pro bono attorneys, law students, paralegals, and other legal professionals to partner with us to support clients, take on high-impact cases, and strengthen 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

Resource Library

Popular Resources

See All

Toolkit

04/03/26

Newcomer Student Education Rights

This toolkit is designed to inform advocates (attorneys and non-attorneys) about the education-related rights of newcomer and undocumented immigrant children, how to assert those rights, and what to do if...

Learn More

Guide

02/17/26

What is the Meeting of Creditors?

Once you file your bankruptcy, a Bankruptcy Trustee will be assigned to your case and a Meeting of Creditors will be scheduled. This guide will provide general information to help...

Learn More

FAQsGuide

02/10/26

Know Your Rights as a Child Care Business

This Know Your Rights guide explains California child care providers’ legal authority to control access to their facilities, including who may enter, when recording is prohibited, and how to respond...

Learn More

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 upon pro bono attorneys, law students, paralegals, and other legal professionals to partner with us to support clients, take on high-impact cases, and strengthen 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

Toolkit

04/03/26

Newcomer Student Education Rights

This toolkit is designed to inform advocates (attorneys and non-attorneys) about the education-related rights of newcomer and undocumented immigrant children, how to assert those rights, and what to do if...

Learn More

Guide

02/17/26

What is the Meeting of Creditors?

Once you file your bankruptcy, a Bankruptcy Trustee will be assigned to your case and a Meeting of Creditors will be scheduled. This guide will provide general information to help...

Learn More

FAQsGuide

02/10/26

Know Your Rights as a Child Care Business

This Know Your Rights guide explains California child care providers’ legal authority to control access to their facilities, including who may enter, when recording is prohibited, and how to respond...

Learn More

Our Cases

Public Counsel pursues groundbreaking legal strategies to advance civil rights and racial and economic justice, for low-income communities and communities of color across the nation.

Our staff work with clients and partners to identify patterns of injustice that impact and harm the communities we serve. Through strategic litigation, we effect large-scale change and systems reform while amplifying the power of affected communities and advancing public discourse.

Our Cases

Filter Close Filters
LA Forward Institute v. City of Los Angeles

Housing Justice

Filed on: 07/11/24

LA Forward Institute v. City of Los Angeles

Stopping the City of LA’s Obstruction and Discrimination to Build Affordable Housing in Venice

Learn More
Ocana v. Renew Financial

Consumer Rights, Economic Justice, Housing Justice

Filed on: 04/12/18

Ocana v. Renew Financial

Seeking Justice for L.A. Homeowners: Challenging Predatory Home-Improvement Loans in L.A. County

Learn More
Padres Buscando el Cambio v. Harbor Developmental Disabilities Foundation

Disability Rights

Filed on: 11/08/21

Padres Buscando el Cambio v. Harbor Developmental Disabilities Foundation

Fighting for Equitable Services for Children with Disabilities

Learn More
Community Power Collective v. City of Los Angeles

Economic Justice

Filed on: 12/07/22

Community Power Collective v. City of Los Angeles

Ending The City of LA’s Unlawful and Discriminatory Street Vending Restrictions

Learn More
Rodriguez v. City of Los Angeles

Civil Rights, Racial Justice

Filed on: 02/07/11

Rodriguez v. City of Los Angeles

Challenge to Unconstitutional Gang Injunction Restrictions that Violated the Rights of Thousands of Angelenos

Learn More
Beaudette v. McDonough

Veterans’ Rights

Filed on: 07/15/20

Beaudette v. McDonough

Securing Due Process Rights for Injured Veterans and Their Caregivers

Learn More
Cayla J. v. California

Education Equity

Filed on: 11/30/20

Cayla J. v. California

Challenging the State of California’s Failure to Ensure Equitable Access to Education During the Pandemic

Learn More
ACCE v. HCD

Housing Justice

Filed on: 06/06/22

ACCE v. HCD

Holding California Accountable for Its Failures in Implementing the COVID-19 Rent Relief Program

Learn More
Smith v. Regents of University of California

Education Equity

Filed on: 12/10/19

Smith v. Regents of University of California

Eliminating University of California’s Use of Discriminatory SAT and ACT Scores

Learn More
J.L. v. Cissna

Immigrants’ Rights

Filed on: 08/14/18

J.L. v. Cissna

Defending the Right to Special Immigrant Juvenile Status in California

Learn More