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...

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

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

Federal Court

Overview

ABOUT THE CLINIC

Are you thinking about filing a case in federal court? Are you already representing yourself as a plaintiff or defendant in the United States District Court for the Central District of California and need legal advice? Public Counsel’s Federal Pro Se Clinic can provide free legal assistance to people representing themselves in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.

  • The Clinic can:
    • Provide guidance about how to prepare federal court documents.
    • Provide legal advice on civil procedure in the Central District of California.
    • Supply forms and guides to help you navigate litigating or defending a case in federal court.
  • The Clinic cannot:
    • Assist with criminal, bankruptcy, habeas, appeals, or any state cases.
    • Provide representation in court.
    • Find an attorney to represent you.

To request our services and make an appointment:

To request assistance through the Federal Pro Se Clinic, click the button below for our online intake, or call our message and info line and leave a detailed message: (213) 385-2977 ext. 270 

Apply for Services

Clinic Walk-In Hours:

The Clinic has walk-in hours on Wednesdays: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

The Clinic is located on the terrace level of the Roybal Courthouse and Federal Building at 255 East Temple Street, Suite 170, Los Angeles, CA 90012.

Virtual Walk-In Hours:

The Clinic is offering a limited virtual walk-in hours on the following dates:

  • April 9, 2026, 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
  • April 16, 2026, 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
  • April 23, 2026 – Virtual Clinic Closed
  • April 30, 2026, 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Walk-ins will be accepted on a first come, first serve basis. Please note that the Clinic has limited availability and that all walk-ins may be limited to 10-15 minutes each.

All walk-ins will be required to complete an online intake application prior to their appointment. Please complete the intake by clicking on the blue “Apply for Services” button before joining the Zoom meeting using the link below.

Click here to join Virtual Walk-In Hours Zoom Meeting

––> You can also consult our forms and guides (here) for answers to some common legal questions.

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