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.
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...
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...
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...
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.
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...
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...
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...
Inclusive Community Development, Nonprofits, Small Business
Ritu Mahajan Estes
Directing Attorney‚ Community Development
Ritu Mahajan Estes is the Directing Attorney of Public Counsel’s Community Development Project. Previously, she served as a Supervising Senior Staff Attorney within the project, where she led its small business and early care and education initiatives. During her 15 years at Public Counsel, Ritu has engaged in direct legal services, litigation, and policy advocacy to help create healthy, inclusive, and vibrant communities and build power in communities of color.
As a Senior Supervising Staff Attorney, Ritu led Public Counsel’s efforts to provide legal services to hundreds of low-income small business owners across LA County each year. She oversaw the delivery of these services in multiple languages, and has worked to ensure our services are fully accessible. In the aftermath of the pandemic, she successfully negotiated settlement agreements for business owners negatively impacted by COVID-19 that involved the waiver of thousands of dollars in rent debt, and defended clients in frivolous and impermissible unlawful detainer and breach of contract lawsuits.
Ritu is a member of the Small Business Alliance for Equitable Communities and the State Small Business Coalition. In addition, she is a past Co-Chair of the Access & Inclusion Sub-Committee of the Los Angeles County Child Care Planning Committee and past member of the Long Beach Early Childhood Education Committee.
Ritu received her BA in Economics and Political Science from UC Irvine and her JD from UC Berkeley Law School.
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.”
