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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Community Education

Public Counsel promotes healthy and resilient communities through education and outreach, providing trainings, legal resources, and practical guidance that help people understand their rights, navigate complex systems, and take informed action.

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Resource Library

Popular Resources

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Guide

08/18/26

Navigating COVID-19 EIDL Loan Repayment

This FAQ is designed for small business owners and nonprofit organizations nationwide that received an SBA COVID-19 EIDL and are now navigating repayment, delinquency, or default. It covers program basics,...

Learn More

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

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

Community Education

Public Counsel promotes healthy and resilient communities through education and outreach, providing trainings, legal resources, and practical guidance that help people understand their rights, navigate complex systems, and take informed action.

Learn More

Popular Resources

See All

Guide

08/18/26

Navigating COVID-19 EIDL Loan Repayment

This FAQ is designed for small business owners and nonprofit organizations nationwide that received an SBA COVID-19 EIDL and are now navigating repayment, delinquency, or default. It covers program basics,...

Learn More

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

Resources

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NonprofitsSmall Businesses

Guide

08/18/26

Navigating COVID-19 EIDL Loan Repayment

This FAQ is designed for small business owners and nonprofit organizations nationwide that received an SBA COVID-19 EIDL and are now navigating repayment, delinquency, or default. It covers program basics,…

Learn More

EmploymentNonprofitsSmall Businesses

Guide

07/28/25

Background Checks in the Hiring Process: A Guide for California Nonprofits and Small Businesses

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…

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Nonprofits

03/03/25

FAQs on Responding to Recent DEI Executive Orders

The Trump Administration has issued a handful of executive orders aiming to curtail Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies and programs. These orders have implications for private sector organizations that…

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NonprofitsSmall BusinessesTenants rights

02/25/25

Template California Commercial Lease Agreement

Template commercial lease for nonprofits and small businesses

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Economic JusticeImmigrants’ RightsNonprofitsSmall BusinessesWorkers Rights

01/30/25

Preguntas Frecuentes sobre los derechos de las organizaciones sin fines de lucro y las empresas pequeñas con respecto a la Oficina de Control de Inmigración y Aduanas

Como propietario de una organización sin fines de lucro o una empresa pequeña, es crucial que conozca sus derechos y responsabilidades en la eventualidad de que funcionarios de control de…

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EmploymentImmigrants’ RightsNonprofitsSmall BusinessesWorkers Rights

FAQs

01/23/25

FAQs on Nonprofit and Small Business Rights with Respect to Immigration Enforcement (ICE)

As a nonprofit or small business owner, it is critical to know your rights and responsibilities if immigration enforcement officials appear at your facility, office, or workplace. These FAQ address…

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Covid-19 Info>Early Care & EducationNonprofitsSmall Businesses

11/18/24

Commercial Tenant Protection Act – What to Know About SB 1103

California Senate Bill 1103 (“SB 1103”), the Commercial Tenant Protection Act, provides commercial tenant protections for microenterprises (with 5 or fewer employees), restaurants (with 10 or fewer employees), and nonprofits…

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NonprofitsSmall Businesses

10/15/24

Legislative Alert on SB 1103 – Protections for Commercial Tenants

California Senate Bill 1103 (“SB 1103”), the Commercial Tenant Protection Act, provides commercial tenant protections for microenterprises (with 5 or less employees), restaurants (with 10 or less employees) and nonprofits…

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NonprofitsSmall Businesses

Guide

10/23/23

Navigating State and Federal Disability Laws as a Small Business

These publications provide guidance to small businesses navigating the Americans Disability Act (ADA) and California laws that protect people with disabilities. The publications are: A reference guide for small business…

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Nonprofits

Form 990 Policy and Memo

08/02/22

Form 990 Series – Whistleblower Policy and Memorandum

This memorandum includes a sample whistleblower policy, as well as a discussion of the legal rationale and background for the policy and considerations for implementation. This policy and memo, designed…

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