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,...

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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

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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Nonprofits

Form 990 Policy and Memo

08/02/22

Form 990 Policy Series – Executive Compensation Policy and Memorandum

This memorandum includes a sample policy for the review and approval of compensation of nonprofit officers and executives, as well as a discussion of the legal rationale and background for

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Nonprofits

Form 990 Policy and Memo

08/02/22

Form 990 Policy Series – Form 990 Distribution and Review Policy and Memorandum

This memorandum includes a sample policy creating a process for the preparation, review, and distribution of the Form 990, as well as a discussion of the legal rationale and background

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Disability Rights

Report

05/25/22

Examining Racial and Ethnic Inequities Among Children Served Under California’s Developmental Services System: Where Things Currently Stand

Inequitable access to developmental services through California’s regional center system continues to plague communities of color. Despite California investing $66 million in the past six years on programs intended to

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Covid-19 InfoSmall Businesses

GuideSpanish

05/20/22

Descripción general de las protecciones de COVID-19 para inquilinos comerciales de pequeñas empresas en el Condado de Los Ángeles

Esta alerta proporciona una descripción general de las protecciones de COVID-19 para los inquilinos comerciales de pequeñas empresas en el Condado de Los Ángeles. Para obtener información sobre las protecciones

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Housing JusticeHousing Justice>Affordable HousingInclusive Community Development

Report

03/25/22

Priced Out, Pushed Out, Locked Out: How Permanent Tenant Protections Can Help Communities Prevent Homelessness & Resist Displacement in LA County

For decades, hundreds of thousands of tenants in unincorporated Los Angeles County had virtually no protection against exorbitant rent increases or unfair evictions, fundamentally undermining their housing stability. This is

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NonprofitsSmall Businesses

GuideSpanish

01/20/22

AB5: Clasificación adecuada de empleado vs. contratista independiente

Al contratar trabajadores, clasificarlos adecuadamente como empleados o contratistas independientes tiene una importancia considerable tanto para los trabajadores como para las empresas, incluidas las organizaciones sin fines de lucro. Este

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NonprofitsSmall Businesses

Guide

01/20/22

AB5: Proper Classification of Employee vs. Independent Contractor

When hiring workers, properly classifying them as employees or independent contractors has considerable significance for both the workers and businesses, including nonprofits. This bulletin will review the difference between an employee and independent contractor, how to properly apply the ABC test to worker classification, exceptions to the rule, and implications for nonprofits and small businesses.

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Consumer RightsEconomic Justice

Template/Sample Form

01/05/22

Property Tax Assessment Appeal Form

This form contains all of the requests for information that are required for filing an application for changed assessment with the Los Angeles County Assessment Appeals Board.

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Consumer RightsEconomic Justice

GuideSpanish

01/05/22

Guía de Autoayuda Para Presentar su Propia Apelación de Evaluación Para Propietarios con Gravámenes de PACE en el Condado de Los Ángeles

Esta guía es para personas que desean solicitar la cancelación y el reembolso de los gravámenes PACE en hogares ubicados en el condado de Los Ángeles. Se adjunta una copia

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Consumer RightsEconomic Justice

Guide

01/05/22

Self-Help Guide to Filing Your Own Assessment Appeal For Homeowners with PACE liens in Los Angeles County

This guide is for individuals who wish to seek cancellation and refund of the PACE liens on homes located in Los Angeles County. A blank copy of the form is

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