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

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

Guide

06/10/26

Eligiendo La Entidad Juridica De Su Negocio

Al comenzar un negocio, es común tener preguntas como cómo proteger sus activos personales (por ejemplo, su hogar), cómo paga impuestos el negocio y cómo obtener dinero para hacer crecer...

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Report

06/05/26

Combating Notario Fraud in California: A Call to Action

Notario fraud, or the unauthorized practice of immigration law, causes grave harm to countless immigrants and is pervasive across California and the U.S. Too often, individuals who are not authorized...

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

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

Guide

06/10/26

Eligiendo La Entidad Juridica De Su Negocio

Al comenzar un negocio, es común tener preguntas como cómo proteger sus activos personales (por ejemplo, su hogar), cómo paga impuestos el negocio y cómo obtener dinero para hacer crecer...

Learn More

Report

06/05/26

Combating Notario Fraud in California: A Call to Action

Notario fraud, or the unauthorized practice of immigration law, causes grave harm to countless immigrants and is pervasive across California and the U.S. Too often, individuals who are not authorized...

Learn More

Resources

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Nonprofits

Form 990 Policy and Memo

08/02/22

Form 990 Series – Joint Venture Policy and Memorandum

This memorandum includes a sample policy for nonprofit organizations engaging in joint ventures to ensure that they are complying with applicable IRS requirements, as well as a discussion of the

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Nonprofits

Form 990 Policy and Memo

08/02/22

Form 990 Series – Investment Policy and Memorandum

This memorandum includes a sample nonprofit organization investment policy, as well as a discussion of the legal rationale and background for the policy and considerations for implementation. This policy and

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Nonprofits

Form 990 Policy and Memo

08/02/22

Form 990 Series – Independent Governing Body Policy and Memorandum

This memorandum includes a sample independent governing body policy, as well as a discussion of the legal rationale and background for the policy and considerations for implementation. The purpose of

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Nonprofits

Form 990 Policy and Memo

08/02/22

Form 990 Series – Gift Acceptance Policy and Memorandum

This memorandum includes a sample gift acceptance policy for California tax-exempt organizations, as well as a discussion of the legal rationale and background for the policy and considerations for implementation.

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Nonprofits

Form 990 Policy and Memo

08/02/22

Form 990 Series – Fundraising Policy and Memorandum

This memorandum includes a sample fundraising policy for California nonprofits to ensure that the solicitation of donations complies with relevant state and federal laws, as well as a discussion of

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Nonprofits

Form 990 Policy and Memo

08/02/22

Form 990 Series – Document Retention Policy and Memorandum

This memorandum includes a sample document retention and destruction policy for tax-exempt organizations, as well as a discussion of the legal rationale and background for the policy and considerations for

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Nonprofits

Form 990 Policy and Memo

08/02/22

Form 990 Policy Series – Conservation Easement Policy and Memorandum

This memorandum includes a sample policy for tax-exempt organizations to ensure compliance with federal laws governing acceptance of conservation easements, as well as a discussion of the legal rationale and

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Nonprofits

Form 990 Policy and Memo

08/02/22

Form 990 Policy Series – Conflict of Interest Policy and Memorandum

This memorandum includes a sample Conflict of Interest Policy for California nonprofit public benefit corporations exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, as well as a discussion of

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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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