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.
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.
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.
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.
Public Counsel values an interdisciplinary approach to law and social work that strengthens trauma-informed legal advocacy and advances effective outcomes across its work.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Public Counsel values an interdisciplinary approach to law and social work that strengthens trauma-informed legal advocacy and advances effective outcomes across its work.
In the operation of your business, you may encounter situations which force you to go to court. These situations may range from a customer not paying you for services to a landlord that fails to make necessary repairs in your rental unit. Before you go to court, it is important to understand what will happen on your day in court and how you should prepare yourself for your court appearance. This guide is intended to help you understand what to expect in small claims court and is not intended to provide legal advice. This handout is limited to information regarding small claims court in California. This application was last updated in January 2025.
Nonprofit legal services organizations (‘legal aid’) offer free help to those who are eligible for services, depending on the specifics of their case and the organization’s capacity.
California Senate Bill 635 (“SB 635”) makes important changes to state law to provide protections for sidewalk vendors. The law prevents local jurisdictions, including any nonpublic entity contracted by the...
This guide discusses legal issues that might arise when performing background checks for new hires. Topics include negligent hiring, avoiding discrimination, state and local fair chance laws, background checks required...
“I have been a colleague and co-counsel with Kathryn for over a decade,” said Mark Rosenbaum, Senior Special Counsel for Strategic Litigation at Public Counsel. “By her experience and vision, she is uniquely qualified to lead Public Counsel to end the disparities created by poverty and racism that divide Los Angeles and California into communities of haves and have-nots. Kathryn is the most brilliant and innovative strategist I have worked with in over a half-century of practice. With her leadership, Public Counsel will be to economic liberties and rights what the ACLU is to civil liberties and rights.”
Judy Verduzco
“I’m delighted to welcome Kathryn as our new President and CEO,” said Judy Verduzco, director of social work at Public Counsel. “Kathryn deeply appreciates the unique skillsets that social workers bring to our legal practice, which build our capacity to embed trauma-informed principles in our work, benefiting both our clients and staff. She is committed to sustaining and growing our interdisciplinary advocacy model in order to continue delivering holistic and effective legal services. Kathryn also recognizes the impact of compassion fatigue, secondary trauma, and burnout on staff. Public Counsel has prioritized staff wellness, offering activities such as full-day wellness retreats, guided mindfulness and meditation classes, and virtual yoga classes. Kathryn is committed to fostering a healthy workplace for all by supporting activities that promote staff wellness and working toward building a comprehensive framework for workplace wellness across the organization.”
Roman Silberfeld
“As a longtime Public Counsel supporter, I couldn’t be more excited about the choice of our new leader, Kathryn Eidmann,” said Roman Silberfeld, a partner at Robins Kaplan LLC and past Chair of the Board. “Kathryn will ably fill the shoes of our distinguished past CEOs, and, more than that, she will without any doubt exceed the accomplishments of her predecessors because of the unique qualities that she brings to her new role. Most notably, Kathryn is an excellent lawyer who has guided many of the important and groundbreaking cases that Public Counsel has brought. And, great leadership is most often exemplified by setting a great example for those whom one has the privilege to lead. Kathryn will, and always has, set a great example of being a person of high moral values, of distinguished service, and of great vision about the important issues of our time that affect the communities that we serve. Kathryn has always been a voice for those communities and, as CEO, will surely make even greater strides to deliver justice, hope, and opportunity.”
David Johnson
“I couldn’t be more excited about Kathryn’s selection as Public Counsel’s new president and CEO,” said David Johnson, founder of Act 4 Entertainment and past Chair of the Board. “Kathryn is a brilliant and dedicated lawyer who has been instrumental in achieving groundbreaking victories across multiple aspects of our work. Kathryn has had an extraordinary focus on a number of areas, particularly education. She understands the importance of integrated litigation, communications, movement building, and advocacy strategies. Kathryn is deeply respected by our supporters, board, staff, and community, and she is a thoughtful and inspiring leader. Additionally, she has been actively involved in civic life, including serving as vice president of the library board. Kathryn is not only a great professional but also a great friend. At this point in our country’s history, Public Counsel’s impact is critically important. I am delighted that, after an extensive search, we have selected one of our own. Kathryn Eidmann is an extraordinary advocate for civil and economic rights and will drive positive change for our community and for our country.”
Bruce Cormicle
“Kathryn knows what is right and what is just. Even more importantly — she knows how to achieve it,” said Bruce Cormicle, secretary of the Board and owner of his own law firm. “A brilliant strategist – she sees moves and outcomes well in advance. I’ve seen her argue a case in the Ninth Circuit with unparalleled command, control, and charm. Kathryn’s authenticity and passion for public interest work shine through in everything she does. She is a natural leader who brings people together effortlessly and will hit the ground running on day one. It is a spectacular moment for Public Counsel and for the clients that we serve.”
