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

08/10/26

California Nonjudicial Foreclosure Process – Primary Mortgage

This guide provides an overview of the California judicial foreclosure process for primary (first lien) mortgages, covering the full timeline from pre-foreclosure through the foreclosure sale — a minimum of approximately...

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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...

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...

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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

08/10/26

California Nonjudicial Foreclosure Process – Primary Mortgage

This guide provides an overview of the California judicial foreclosure process for primary (first lien) mortgages, covering the full timeline from pre-foreclosure through the foreclosure sale — a minimum of approximately...

Learn More

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

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

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Kerri K. v. State of California

Disability Rights, Education Equity

Filed on: 05/15/19

Kerri K. v. State of California

Ensuring that Children with Disabilities Attend Safe and Supportive Schools

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Beaudette v. McDonough

Veterans’ Rights

Filed on: 07/15/20

Beaudette v. McDonough

Securing Due Process Rights for Injured Veterans and Their Caregivers

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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

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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

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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

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