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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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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Nonprofits

Template/Sample Form

12/10/21

Now That You’re Incorporated: Summary of Legal Requirements for Newly Formed Nonprofit Corporations

This is a sample letter that an attorney should send to a nonprofit corporation after it has successfully applied for and received tax-exempt status from the IRS. The letter covers…

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NonprofitsSmall Businesses

FAQsGuide

12/10/21

Alert on EDD Work Sharing Program

Employers that want to avoid layoffs can take advantage of the Work Sharing program. Work Sharing allows employers to reduce the hours of several employees who then access partial Unemployment Insurance to compensate for reduced hours. This alert explains the requirements of the program and the process for enrolling. (June 22, 2020)

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Covid-19 InfoNonprofitsSmall Businesses

Template/Sample Form

12/10/21

Sample Notice to Commercial Landlord of Inability to Pay Rent (City of Los Angeles)

This document provides a sample letter a commercial tenant should send to their landlord in order to take advantage of protections in the City of Los Angeles for tenants who…

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Covid-19 InfoNonprofitsSmall Businesses

Template/Sample Form

12/10/21

Sample Notice to Commercial Landlord of Inability to Pay Rent (County of Los Angeles)

This document provides a sample letter a commercial tenant should send to their landlord in order to take advantage of protections for commercial tenants in unincorporated LA County or County cities that do not have their own COVID-19 commercial tenant protections. (June 24, 2020)

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Covid-19 InfoNonprofitsSmall Businesses

FAQsGuide

12/10/21

COVID-19 Protections for Small Business Commercial Tenants in Los Angeles County [May 2022]

This alert provides a general overview of Los Angeles County Protections for Small Business Commercial Tenants as of May 2022.

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Nonprofits

Guide

12/10/21

Why Your Nonprofit Might Need Legal Assistance

This document lists some reasons why your nonprofit might need legal assistance and some examples of the types of legal assistance provided by Public Counsel’s Community Development Project.

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