About Us

How We Work

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Direct Services

Our team 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

We address 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

Our team 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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Pro Bono Partnerships

Since its inception, Public Counsel has relied upon the generous donation of pro bono services from lawyers, legal professionals, and law students as the keystone for our model of delivering free legal services to low-income communities.

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Resource Library

Popular Resources

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Guide

12/02/25

¿Necesito Presentar Una Reclamacion De Exencion?

He recibido un embargo de mi salario o un aviso de embargo bancario ¿que hago? Si se ha emitido un juicio o una demanda contra usted, es posible que reciba...

Learn More

Guide

12/02/25

Do I Need a Claim of Exemption?

I’ve received a wage garnishment or bank levy notice, now what? If a judgment in a lawsuit against you has been issued, you may receive a notice and paperwork from...

Learn More

Guide

12/02/25

Guía Para Responder a Quejas No Verificadas En Demandas Legales De Cobro De Deudas

Una demanda legal de cobro de deudas es una demanda legal donde alguien (el demandante) lo está demandando (el demandado) por no pagar una deuda. La demanda legal empieza con...

Learn More

How We Work

See All

Direct Services

Our team 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

We address 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

Our team 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

Pro Bono Partnerships

Since its inception, Public Counsel has relied upon the generous donation of pro bono services from lawyers, legal professionals, and law students as the keystone for our model of delivering free legal services to low-income communities.

Learn More

Popular Resources

See All

Guide

12/02/25

¿Necesito Presentar Una Reclamacion De Exencion?

He recibido un embargo de mi salario o un aviso de embargo bancario ¿que hago? Si se ha emitido un juicio o una demanda contra usted, es posible que reciba...

Learn More

Guide

12/02/25

Do I Need a Claim of Exemption?

I’ve received a wage garnishment or bank levy notice, now what? If a judgment in a lawsuit against you has been issued, you may receive a notice and paperwork from...

Learn More

Guide

12/02/25

Guía Para Responder a Quejas No Verificadas En Demandas Legales De Cobro De Deudas

Una demanda legal de cobro de deudas es una demanda legal donde alguien (el demandante) lo está demandando (el demandado) por no pagar una deuda. La demanda legal empieza con...

Learn More

Videos

Client Stories and Victories

Leading Through Crisis: Public Counsel’s Response to the LA Wildfires
Street Vendors Achieve Historic Victory in LA: Discriminatory Vending Bans Repealed, Fines Refunded
Historic Settlement Secures $2 Billion in Education Funding for Students Left Behind During Pandemic
Victory for Student Rights: Landmark Settlement Ends Harmful Practices at California School
From Adversity to Triumph: The Story of an Immigrant’s Resilience
Justice in Action: The Heart of Public Counsel

William O. Douglas Award Dinner Videos

2025 William O. Douglas Award Dinner

Public Counsel’s William O Douglas Award Dinner honoring Jane Fonda
Jane Fonda Accepts Public Counsel’s William O. Douglas Award

2023 William O. Douglas Award Dinner

Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi Accepts Public Counsel’s 2023 William O. Douglas Award

2022 William O. Douglas Award Dinner

Viola Davis accepts Public Counsel’s 2022 William O. Douglas Award.
Morgan Chu accepts Public Counsel’s 2022 Founders Award.
David Horowitz accepts the 2022 Law Firm Pro Bono Award on behalf of Kirkland & Ellis LLP.
Public Counsel’s 2022 William O. Douglas Award Dinner – Complete Program.

2021 William O. Douglas Award Dinner

John Legend accepts Public Counsel’s 2021 William O. Douglas Award.
Betsy Beers accepts Public Counsel’s Inaugural Trailblazer in the Arts Award.
Dan Clivner accepts Public Counsel’s 2021 Law Firm Pro Bono Award on behalf of Sidley Austin LLP.
Mark Rosenbaum presents Public Counsel’s 2021 Law Firm Pro Bono Award to Sidley Austin LLP.

2020 William O. Douglas Award Dinner

In 2020, we held a virtual 50th-anniversary celebration to ensure the safety of our supporters.
50th anniversary – looking back at highlights of recent award dinners.

2019 William O. Douglas Award Dinner

Governor Gavin Newsom accepts Public Counsel’s 2019 William O. Douglas Award.
New Directions Veterans Choir performs at Public Counsel’s 2019 William O. Douglas Dinner.
A message from our clients who attended the dinner.
Highlights and reflections from a beautiful evening.

2018 William O. Douglas Award Dinner

Mike Farrell accepts Public Counsel’s 2018 William O. Douglas Award.
Aloe Blacc performs at Public Counsel’s 2018 Douglas Dinner.
Recognition and tributes for Mike Farrell.

2017 William O. Douglas Award Dinner

Rev. James M. Lawson, Jr. accepts the 2017 William O. Douglas Award.
Celebrating Reverend James Lawson – a civil rights giant.

2016 William O. Douglas Award Dinner

Bryan Stevenson accepts Public Counsel’s 2016 William O. Douglas Award.
John Legend’s encore performance of “Glory” at Public Counsel’s 2016 William O. Douglas Award Dinner.
John Legend performs “Redemption Song” & “All of Me” at Public Counsel’s 2016 Dinner.

2015 William O. Douglas Award Dinner

2014 William O. Douglas Award Dinner

2013 William O. Douglas Award Dinner

2012 William O. Douglas Award Dinner

2011 William O. Douglas Award Dinner

2010 William O. Douglas Award Dinner