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

05/12/26

Have I Been Properly Served?

Service means that you have officially been given notice of the summons and complaint in a lawsuit against you.

Learn More

Guide

05/12/26

¿Me Han Notificado Correctamente?

La notificación suele realizarse de dos maneras: notificación personal o notificación sustitutiva.

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Guide

05/12/26

¿Necesito Presentar Una Respuesta A Una Demanda?

He Recibido Notificación De Una Demanda Contra Mí, ¿Y Ahora Qué?

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

Popular Resources

See All

Guide

05/12/26

Have I Been Properly Served?

Service means that you have officially been given notice of the summons and complaint in a lawsuit against you.

Learn More

Guide

05/12/26

¿Me Han Notificado Correctamente?

La notificación suele realizarse de dos maneras: notificación personal o notificación sustitutiva.

Learn More

Guide

05/12/26

¿Necesito Presentar Una Respuesta A Una Demanda?

He Recibido Notificación De Una Demanda Contra Mí, ¿Y Ahora Qué?

Learn More

Resources

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BankruptcyEconomic Justice

Guide

12/16/21

Reaffirmation Hearing Informational Packet

A reaffirmation agreement is where you agree to pay a debt even though you could have eliminated the debt in your bankruptcy case. When you reaffirm a debt, you continue

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BankruptcyEconomic Justice

Guide

12/16/21

Managing Your Student Loans

Instructions for how to manage your student loan debts.

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BankruptcyConsumer RightsEconomic Justice

Guide

12/16/21

Free Credit Report

Instructions for how to get a free credit report from all three credit reporting agencies, which anyone is entitled to receive at no cost once a year.

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BankruptcyEconomic Justice

External Resource

12/16/21

Free or Low-Cost Bankruptcy Help

A listing of various agencies and services throughout Southern California that offer free and low-cost bankruptcy assistance.

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BankruptcyEconomic Justice

External Resource

12/16/21

Bankruptcy Filing – Fee Waiver Application and Instructions

This is the actual application for a fee waiver from the court. The instructions will tell you exactly how to fill out the forms and where to submit the application.

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BankruptcyEconomic Justice

External Resource

12/16/21

Downloadable Bankruptcy Forms (link directs you to Bankruptcy Court’s website)

Download and fill out the forms necessary to file a bankruptcy in the Central District of California (most of Southern California except San Diego and Imperial counties).

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BankruptcyEconomic Justice

Guide

12/16/21

Checklist for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy

What you need to gather and prepare before filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy.

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BankruptcyEconomic Justice

Guide

12/16/21

Canceling a Reaffirmation Agreement

A reaffirmation agreement is a new contract between you and the creditor where you agree to pay a debt voluntarily that would have been discharged in your bankruptcy case. However, you have a limited amount of time in which you can cancel the agreement.

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Child CareCovid-19 Info>Early Care & Education

GuideSpanish

12/10/21

La Importancia de Buenas Relaciones Comunitarias Para Tener una Guarderia Exitosa

Como alguien que cuida profesionalmente a los niños, usted no sólo es dueño de un negocio sino también un miembro importante en su comunidad. Esto significa que debería tener buenas relaciones con los padres, vecinos, caseros y los empleados responsables de aprobar la licencia que usted utiliza en su profesión. De hecho, la mayoría de los problemas legales se puede evitar si uno mantiene buenas relaciones con los demás miembros de su comunidad.

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Child CareCovid-19 Info>Early Care & Education

GuideSpanish

12/10/21

Nombrando Su Negocio y Guardaria

La ley de California requiere que los individuos, socios y sociedades anónimas registren un “Fictitious Business Name” (un nombre inventado para el negocio que también se conoce como el DBA

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