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.
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.
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.
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.
Public Counsel values an interdisciplinary approach to law and social work that strengthens trauma-informed legal advocacy and advances effective outcomes across its work.
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...
This Know Your Rights guide explains California child care providers’ legal authority to control access to their facilities, including who may enter, when recording is prohibited, and how to respond...
Los Angeles County officials often dismiss concerns raised by and on behalf of young people, claiming that the education-related issues for detained youth are not systemic. This report seeks to...
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.
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.
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.
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.
Public Counsel values an interdisciplinary approach to law and social work that strengthens trauma-informed legal advocacy and advances effective outcomes across its work.
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...
This Know Your Rights guide explains California child care providers’ legal authority to control access to their facilities, including who may enter, when recording is prohibited, and how to respond...
Los Angeles County officials often dismiss concerns raised by and on behalf of young people, claiming that the education-related issues for detained youth are not systemic. This report seeks to...
These videos provide an overview of the bankruptcy process, key terminology, alternatives to bankruptcy, and provide information about resources in the Central District of California.
Is Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Right for Me?
This presentation is intended as a general overview to help people thinking of filing a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy weigh the pros and cons and understand alternatives. Watching this presentation does not create a lawyer-client relationship. This video gives information regarding filing for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy in the Central District of California. The requirements may be different where you live. Please note that the figures cited in this video periodically change. The figures in this video are up-to-date as of October 2025. Make sure you are using the most up-to-date figures.
Overview of Chapter 7 Bankruptcy and Alternatives to Bankruptcy
This presentation is intended as a general overview of the issues involved in filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy, and is not intended to provide you with specific legal advice. Watching this presentation does not create a lawyer-client relationship.
Resumen de Bancarrota del Capitulo 7 y Alternativas a la Bancarrota
Nota: Este video es una descripción general de las opciones para lidiar con las deudas. No tiene la intención de darle consejo legal. Ver este video no crea una relación abogado-cliente.
How to Prepare a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Petition
These videos give information regarding filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in the Central District of California. The requirements may be different where you live. Watching this presentation does not create a lawyer-client relationship.
Bankruptcy Basics
This video series from the U.S. Courts gives an overview of the bankruptcy process. The nine-part series covers topics such as types of bankruptcy, limits of bankruptcy, filing for bankruptcy, the creditors’ meeting, bankruptcy crime, court hearings, the discharge, and legal assistance. To the full series on YouTube, click HERE.
Reaffirmation Hearing – English
This presentation is intended as a general overview of Chapter 7 Bankruptcy reaffirmation hearings. Watching this presentation does not create a lawyer-client relationship. This video gives information regarding reaffirmation hearings in the Central District of California. The requirements may be different where you live.
Audiencias de Reafirmación – Español
Esta presentación es una descripción general de las audiencias de reafirmación de bancarrota del Capítulo 7. Ver esta presentación no crea una relación abogado-cliente. Este video brinda información sobre las audiencias de reafirmación en el Distrito Central de California. Los requisitos pueden ser diferentes en el lugar donde vive.
Mark Rosenbaum
“I have been a colleague and co-counsel with Kathryn for over a decade,” said Mark Rosenbaum, Senior Special Counsel for Strategic Litigation at Public Counsel. “By her experience and vision, she is uniquely qualified to lead Public Counsel to end the disparities created by poverty and racism that divide Los Angeles and California into communities of haves and have-nots. Kathryn is the most brilliant and innovative strategist I have worked with in over a half-century of practice. With her leadership, Public Counsel will be to economic liberties and rights what the ACLU is to civil liberties and rights.”
Judy Verduzco
“I’m delighted to welcome Kathryn as our new President and CEO,” said Judy Verduzco, director of social work at Public Counsel. “Kathryn deeply appreciates the unique skillsets that social workers bring to our legal practice, which build our capacity to embed trauma-informed principles in our work, benefiting both our clients and staff. She is committed to sustaining and growing our interdisciplinary advocacy model in order to continue delivering holistic and effective legal services. Kathryn also recognizes the impact of compassion fatigue, secondary trauma, and burnout on staff. Public Counsel has prioritized staff wellness, offering activities such as full-day wellness retreats, guided mindfulness and meditation classes, and virtual yoga classes. Kathryn is committed to fostering a healthy workplace for all by supporting activities that promote staff wellness and working toward building a comprehensive framework for workplace wellness across the organization.”
Roman Silberfeld
“As a longtime Public Counsel supporter, I couldn’t be more excited about the choice of our new leader, Kathryn Eidmann,” said Roman Silberfeld, a partner at Robins Kaplan LLC and past Chair of the Board. “Kathryn will ably fill the shoes of our distinguished past CEOs, and, more than that, she will without any doubt exceed the accomplishments of her predecessors because of the unique qualities that she brings to her new role. Most notably, Kathryn is an excellent lawyer who has guided many of the important and groundbreaking cases that Public Counsel has brought. And, great leadership is most often exemplified by setting a great example for those whom one has the privilege to lead. Kathryn will, and always has, set a great example of being a person of high moral values, of distinguished service, and of great vision about the important issues of our time that affect the communities that we serve. Kathryn has always been a voice for those communities and, as CEO, will surely make even greater strides to deliver justice, hope, and opportunity.”
David Johnson
“I couldn’t be more excited about Kathryn’s selection as Public Counsel’s new president and CEO,” said David Johnson, founder of Act 4 Entertainment and past Chair of the Board. “Kathryn is a brilliant and dedicated lawyer who has been instrumental in achieving groundbreaking victories across multiple aspects of our work. Kathryn has had an extraordinary focus on a number of areas, particularly education. She understands the importance of integrated litigation, communications, movement building, and advocacy strategies. Kathryn is deeply respected by our supporters, board, staff, and community, and she is a thoughtful and inspiring leader. Additionally, she has been actively involved in civic life, including serving as vice president of the library board. Kathryn is not only a great professional but also a great friend. At this point in our country’s history, Public Counsel’s impact is critically important. I am delighted that, after an extensive search, we have selected one of our own. Kathryn Eidmann is an extraordinary advocate for civil and economic rights and will drive positive change for our community and for our country.”
Bruce Cormicle
“Kathryn knows what is right and what is just. Even more importantly — she knows how to achieve it,” said Bruce Cormicle, secretary of the Board and owner of his own law firm. “A brilliant strategist – she sees moves and outcomes well in advance. I’ve seen her argue a case in the Ninth Circuit with unparalleled command, control, and charm. Kathryn’s authenticity and passion for public interest work shine through in everything she does. She is a natural leader who brings people together effortlessly and will hit the ground running on day one. It is a spectacular moment for Public Counsel and for the clients that we serve.”
