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 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.

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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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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...

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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...

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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...

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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 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

Updates

01/10/24

Public Counsel Receives Monumental $3 Million Gift from MacKenzie Scott

Public Counsel is delighted to share some incredible news that was made public late last year. We have received an extraordinary gift of $3 million from Yield Giving, a global foundation established by philanthropist MacKenzie Scott. The gift is the single largest contribution in Public Counsel’s 54-year history and will provide an unprecedented boost to our capacity to deliver holistic legal services and advocate for systems change through litigation and policy advocacy.

Yield Giving is dedicated to supporting organizations that amplify the voices and improve the lives of individuals and families facing hardship. This generous donation serves as an acknowledgment of the profound impact that Public Counsel has on the communities it serves in areas such as children’s rights, veterans’ rights, education equity, immigrants’ rights, housing justice, and more.

This gift is more than a contribution; it is a powerful affirmation of the work we do and the values we uphold in championing civil rights and advancing economic and racial justice. It is a testament to the trust and confidence placed in our mission and is a recognition of the critical importance of high-quality direct legal services and groundbreaking impact litigation to transform laws, policies, and power structures in our communities.

As we celebrate this incredible milestone, we want to express our deepest gratitude to our community of supporters for the pivotal role they have played in helping us secure this gift. This achievement is a reflection of decades of collective effort and sacrifice to build and nourish Public Counsel, and of the commitment of our longtime supporters whose contributions have been fundamental to our success. Their role in this journey and their enduring belief in our cause deserve recognition.

Public Counsel is deeply honored to receive this gift from Yield Giving and MacKenzie Scott, and our team is thrilled to begin 2024 on such a high note. As we embark on this new year, we do so with renewed hope and determination, inspired by the support and trust of our community. Thank you to all of our partners for standing with us and making this achievement possible.

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