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 upon pro bono attorneys, law students, paralegals, and other legal professionals to partner with us to support clients, take on high-impact cases, and strengthen 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

04/27/26

Know Your Rights: Immigration Enforcement in Public Spaces

We all have constitutional rights and state law protections in California, regardless of immigration status. This guide outlines those rights and protections and steps you can take to prepare in...

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Toolkit

04/03/26

Newcomer Student Education Rights

This toolkit is designed to inform advocates (attorneys and non-attorneys) about the education-related rights of newcomer and undocumented immigrant children, how to assert those rights, and what to do if...

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Guide

02/17/26

What is the Meeting of Creditors?

Once you file your bankruptcy, a Bankruptcy Trustee will be assigned to your case and a Meeting of Creditors will be scheduled. This guide will provide general information to help...

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 upon pro bono attorneys, law students, paralegals, and other legal professionals to partner with us to support clients, take on high-impact cases, and strengthen 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

04/27/26

Know Your Rights: Immigration Enforcement in Public Spaces

We all have constitutional rights and state law protections in California, regardless of immigration status. This guide outlines those rights and protections and steps you can take to prepare in...

Learn More

Toolkit

04/03/26

Newcomer Student Education Rights

This toolkit is designed to inform advocates (attorneys and non-attorneys) about the education-related rights of newcomer and undocumented immigrant children, how to assert those rights, and what to do if...

Learn More

Guide

02/17/26

What is the Meeting of Creditors?

Once you file your bankruptcy, a Bankruptcy Trustee will be assigned to your case and a Meeting of Creditors will be scheduled. This guide will provide general information to help...

Learn More

Bankruptcy

Bankruptcy Resources

Guide

What is the Meeting of Creditors?

Once you file your bankruptcy, a Bankruptcy Trustee will be assigned to your case and …

Guide

Is Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Right for Me? Handout

This handout is intended as a general overview of alternatives to Chapter 7 bankruptcy and …

Guide

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.

External Resource

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Timeline

Here is a link to a timeline from the U.S. Bankruptcy Court of the Central …

Guide

Checklist for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy

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

External Resource

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 …

External Resource

Bankruptcy Filing – Fee Waiver Application and Instructions

This is the actual application for a fee waiver from the court. The instructions will …

External Resource

Free or Low-Cost Bankruptcy Help

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

Guide

Free Credit Report

Instructions for how to get a free credit report from all three credit reporting agencies, …

Guide

How to Complete the Adversary Proceeding Cover Sheet Self-Help Guide

Unless you file your adversary proceeding case electronically, your adversary proceeding complaint must be filed …

Guide

How to Write an Adversary Proceeding Complaint Self-Help Guide

An adversary proceeding is a lawsuit that relates to a bankruptcy case. There are a …

Guide, Template/Sample Form

No Contact Letter Packet ENGLISH

If you are “collection-proof,” meaning that you have no assets that debt collectors can obtain …

Template

Pleading Paper Caption Page

If there isn’t a court form for what you need to file in your bankruptcy …

Template/Sample Form

Adversary Proceeding Caption Page

If there isn’t a court form for what you need to file with the bankruptcy …

Guide

Reaffirmation Hearing Informational Packet

A reaffirmation agreement is where you agree to pay a debt even though you could …

External Resource

Tax Transcript (link directs to IRS website)

When you file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, you may need to provide your recent Federal …

Guide

What courses must I take to file a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy?

All individuals who file a chapter 7 bankruptcy must take two courses to receive a …

Guide, Spanish, Template/Sample Form

Paquete de Carta de “No Contacto” – En Español

Si usted es ‘a prueba de cobros’, lo que significa que no tiene bienes que …

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