Public Counsel - power of pro bono law for children, families, veterans, students, immigrants, nonprofits and small businesses

Donate
Volunteer
Subscribe to our email newsletter»

Newsroom
Our Stories
Press Releases
News Clips

VICTORY! Deported US Veteran Joel Diaz-Rincon Returns to the US as a Lawful Permanent Resident Joel Diaz Rincon returns home after nearly 20 years, marking the second veteran to have his deportation overturned through Public Counsel’s Deported Veterans Project

Service Changes in Response to Covid-19 Due to the coronavirus, Public Counsel has implemented preventative measures to protect the health of our clients, visitors, and staff. Public Counsel is still operating and taking all steps possible to continue to serve our clients during this difficult time. However, our office is closed, and similarly the physical spaces for all of our off-site clinics, including all court-based clinics, are closed.

Federal Judge Orders Release Of Immigrants Detained In ICE Raids during COVID-19 Pandemic Judge grants emergency Temporary Restraining Order filed on behalf of two immigrants at the Adelanto Detention Facility, ordering their release "forthwith and without delay" – rejecting the Government’s argument that Petitioners cannot seek relief until there are confirmed COVID-19 cases at Adelanto.

Groundbreaking Settlement in CA Literacy Lawsuit to Provide $50 Million to 75 Low-Performing Schools, Advances Holistic Approach to Learning VICTORY! Superior court Judge Rupert Byrdsong accepted a wide-ranging settlement in a major education lawsuit brought by students, parents and advocacy groups against the State of California. The lawsuit is the first civil rights action brought under any state constitution to protect students’ right to access to literacy.

03/26/2020
Advocates Seek Emergency Release Of Immigrants Detained In Unlawful Ice Raids Public Counsel and Kaplan Hecker & Fink, LLP filed an emergency petition for a writ of habeas corpus and application for a temporary restraining order on behalf of two immigrants detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at the Adelanto Detention Facility. The lawsuit seeks the release of the two petitioners for medical testing following their arrest and detention by ICE in a series of raids conducted in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s the first case of its kind to charge ICE with deliberately endangering the health and safety of detainees, ICE personnel, and the communities they come from.

03/26/2020
State of New Mexico Reaches Innovative Settlement Agreement with Foster Youth and Child Advocates VICTORY for foster care youth and child welfare advocates! New Mexico foster youth, Disability Rights New Mexico and Native American Disability Law Center have reached an innovative settlement with the State of New Mexico’s Children, Youth and Families Department and Human Services Department to develop a trauma responsive child welfare system, serving as a national model for states across the country.

03/04/2020
VICTORY! Deported US Veteran Joel Diaz-Rincon Returns to the US as a Lawful Permanent Resident Joel Diaz Rincon returns home after nearly 20 years, marking the second veteran to have his deportation overturned through Public Counsel’s Deported Veterans Project

02/20/2020
Groundbreaking Settlement in California Literacy Lawsuit to Provide Immediate Relief to 75 Low-Performing Schools, Advances Holistic Approach to Learning in Schools VICTORY! Superior court Judge Rupert Byrdsong accepted a wide-ranging settlement in a major education lawsuit brought by students, parents and advocacy groups against the State of California. The lawsuit is the first civil rights action brought under any state constitution to protect students’ right to access to literacy. The settlement is a historic step forward towards affirming the right to literacy for all children in California. We will remain vigilant and continue to push for change; however, today we begin to lay the foundation for building a California education system that gives all children the opportunity to pursue their dreams – to create a better tomorrow for themselves and our communities.

More Press Releases

10/16/2014

News Clips ___________________________________________________________________________________

01/14/2015
LA Times: Skid row doctor's care includes finding patients a home Los Angeles Times A new County program uses county Department of Health Services money to subsidize rents for the very sick among the county's 39,000 homeless people. Experts call it the nation's most promising initiative to end homelessness.

01/09/2015
Los Angeles Times: Activists fear that big-project zoning change would ignore L.A.'s poor Los Angeles Times Newly proposed rules meant to smooth the way for vetting big developments in Los Angeles are stirring up alarm among community groups that say the plan doesn't do enough to protect poor households or small businesses from being displaced.

01/05/2015
California Health Report: High school students push for playgrounds in small cities southeast of L.A. California Health Report A group of high school students from Southeast L.A. County is learning to lobby for green space and greater play opportunities for the area’s youngest children.

Gov. Gavin Newsom Accepts Public Counsel's 2019 William O. Douglas Award
2019 William O Douglas Awards Dinner
Mike Farrell Accepts Public Counsel's 2018 William O. Douglas Award
Grammy-nominated musical guest Aloe Blacc Performs at the 2018 Douglas Dinner
Mike Farrell -- Recipient of the 2018 William O. Douglas Award
Rev. James M. Lawson, Jr. Accepts Public Counsel's 2017 William O. Douglas Award
The Campaign to Legalize Street Vending In L.A.
Dignity for Wounded Warriors and Their Caretakers
The Fight for Justice at LAX and Beyond