• Publications
  • Appellate Law
  • Center for Veterans Advancement
  • Children's Rights
  • Community Development
  • Consumer Law
  • Early Care & Education
  • Homelessness Prevention
  • Immigrants' Rights

Publications

Appellate Law

• A New Public-Interest Appellate Model
  Public Counsel's court-based self-help clinic and pro bono "triage" for indigent pro se civil litigants on appeal. Authored by Meehan Rasch and published in The Journal of Appellate Practice and Process.
• Public Counsel Federal Pro Se Clinic Annual Report 2009-2010
  The Clinic offers free legal assistance to pro se litigants with civil cases in federal court. Located on-site in the Central District's U.S. Courthouse, the Clinic is equipped to provide meaningful legal assistance to pro se litigants, with services ranging from identifying the next procedural step in a case to drafting pleadings for indigent litigants with meritorious claims.
• Evaluating Appeals - Volunteer Opportunity
  This document describes what Public Counsel asks of an attorney who agrees to volunteer to evaluate an appeal for our Appellate Law Program.

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Center for Veterans Advancement

• 2010 Advocacy Report
  "Upholding Our Nation's Promise to Veterans and Their Families"
• Helping Veterans Overcome Homelessness
  Clearinghouse Review Journal of Poverty Law & Policy--October 2009
• CVA Responds to RIN 2900-AN94
  VA Caregivers Program--Interim Final Rule
• Recommendations for Enhancement of H.R. 2138
  CVA Recommends Enhancement to H.R. 2138 - Services, Education, and Rehabilitation for Veterans ("SERV") Act.
• Substitution in Case of Death of Claimant
  CVA's Response to RIN-2900-AN91
• Current Trends and Practical Approaches
  Overcoming Barriers To Employment For Veterans

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Children's Rights

• Children's Rights Project Booklet
  
• Redefining Dignity in Our Schools
  A Shadow Report on School-Wide Positive Behavior Support Implementation in South Los Angeles, 2007-2010.
• Caring for Another Person's Child - Manual
  A Guide for Non-Parent Caregivers in Los Angeles County
• Adoption Project White Paper
  The history of the Adoption Project in Los Angeles County
• The Adoption Tax Credit [2011]
  If you adopted a child in 2011 you may be eligible for an adoption tax credit of up to $13,360.
• Regional Center Basics
  Regional centers are non-profit corporations that contract with the State Department of Developmental Services (DDS) to provide services for people with developmental disabilities.
• School Discipline
  School discipline should both serve a purpose and remain consistent with the child's right to a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment (LRE).
• Disciplina Escolar
  
• Education: California School Rights and Responsibilities with a focus on Los Angeles Unified School District
  
• California Foster Youth Education Law Factsheets
  Fact Sheets published by the California Foster Youth Education Task Force
• Special Education
  This brochure covers issues relating to special education and related services, including students' and parents' rights and responsibilities
• Educacion Especial
  Derechos y Responsabilidades de Estudiantes y Padres
• School Discipline - Attorney Manual
  
• Guardianship of the Person and the Pro Per Guardianship Clinic
  This pamphlet is designed for parents and caregivers who have questions about guardianship. It describes the guardianship process and how to access help through Public Counsel's Pro Per Guardianship Clinic.
• Guardianship of the Person-Attorney Manual
  This manual is written for attorneys handling guardianship cases pro bono through Public Counsel, and is designed to give a step-by-step overview of the guardianship process.
• Peace of Mind Program-Joint Guardianship of the Person
  The Peace of Mind Program provides parents who live with a life-threatening illness with the Peace of Mind that their children will be cared for.
• Tranquilidad de Conciencia
  
• Immigration: What Teens Need to Know
  
• Inmigracion lo que Jovenes Deberian saber
  
• Understanding the Juvenile Delinquency System
  This pamphlet was written especially for young people in the juvenile delinquency system.
• Entendiendo/ Conociendo-El sistema
  Este folleto fue escrito para jovenes involucrados con el sistema de justicia juvenil
• Sealing your Juvenile Records
  This pamphlet explains what it means to seal juvenile records, who qualifies to have their juvenile records sealed, and how to go about doing it.
• Sellando Tu Expediente Juvenil
  Este folleto explica lo que quiere decir "Sellar el Expediente Juvenil," quien tiene derecho a sellar su expediente juvenil, y como hacerlo.
• A Guide for Teens to Welfare and Health Care Programs
  
• ABCs of Transition and the Independent Living Program
  Informational Manual for Transitioning Foster Youth and Their Caregivers
• California Nonresident Tuition Exemption
  This form includes the procedures for eligible California high school graduates to request exemption from nonresident tuition rates at public colleges and universities in California
• Consent & Confidentiality
  What Teens Should Know About Medical and Dental Care
• Get the Truth about Teen Dating and Violence & Domestic Violence
  
• Is My Baby Safe?
  Straight Talk to Teen Parents On Child Abuse and Neglect
• Legal Issues For Teen Families
  Information for teen parents about obtaining a baby's birth certificate; paternity; child custody and visitation; and marriage
• Pregnant? A Teen Parent? Protect your Future -- Stay In School!
  
• Sex? Choices for Teens
  
• So You Want to Become Emancipated?
  
• Statutory Rape: What You Should Know
  
• Teen Legal Clinic
  
• Teens in Foster Care and Their Babies
  
• IPP and IFSP Advocacy Manual
  This manual is intended to help anyone interested in advocating for regional center consumers to ensure they receive the services they need. This includes attorneys, social workers, volunteers, caregivers, parents, and Court-Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs).
• AB 1933
  This document contains a list of frequently asked questions and answers related to AB 1933, the bill that amended Section 48853.5 of the California Education Code, thereby allowing a foster child to remain in his/her school of origin for as long as the child is in foster care. It contains definitions of relevant terms and discusses practical implications of the bill.

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Community Development

• Resources for the Formation of A Tax-Exempt California Nonprofit Corporation
  Resources to assist nonprofit organizations that have chosen to incorporate in California and the pro bono attorneys who represent them
• New California Law Affects Nonprofit Governance Practices [2009]
  Does your nonprofit corporation have non-voting ex officio directors? Does your executive committee have members that are not directors? Do your bylaws allow certain directors to have more than one vote or vote by proxy? If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, AB 1233 may require your organization to review and modify its current governance practices.
• New Tax Filing Requirement for 501(c)(3) Organizations: The "e-Postcard" [2008]
  This alert describes the new electronic notice filing requirement for small 501(c)(3) organizations, and a new automatic revocation for organizations of any size that fail to file the required notice or tax return for three consecutive years.
• New Federal Tax Law Affects Charitable Organizations: "Pension Protection Act of 2006"
  The "Pension Protection Act of 2006" makes several changes to the tax law that affect 501(c)(3) organizations and the deductibility of charitable contributions. These changes include a new annual information notice filing requirement for charities with less than $25,000 in revenues; automatic revocation of exemption for 501(c)(3) organizations that fail to file information returns or notices for three consecutive years; a limit on the deductibility of donated clothing and household items; and required public disclosure of a charity's unrelated business tax return.
• New Law Governing Commercial Web Sites and Online Service Providers in California: "California Online Privacy Protection Act" [2004]
  The "California Online Privacy Protection Act" requires operators of websites that collect personal information from California consumers to include a privacy policy on their sites and outlines specific items that each privacy policy must include.
• New Law Governing Nonprofits and Charitable Fundraising in California [2004]
  The "Nonprofit Integrity Act of 2004" amends certain legal provisions applicable to the governance of California nonprofit organizations and charitable fundraising in California.
• Annotated Form of Articles of Incorporation for a California Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation [2009]
  This form is designed to assist nonprofit organizations that have chosen to incorporate in California and the pro bono attorneys who represent them. Each section of the form is annotated with an explanatory endnote, including citations to applicable laws.
• Annotated Form of Bylaws for a California Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation [2010]
  This form is designed to assist nonprofit organizations that have chosen to incorporate in California, existing California nonprofit corporations engaged in a bylaws review, and the pro bono attorneys who represent them. The form is annotated with explanatory endnotes, including citations to applicable laws.
• Annotated Form of Conflict of Interest Policy [2010]
  This form is designed to assist nonprofit organizations seeking to adopt or amend a Conflict of Interest Policy and the pro bono attorneys who represent them. The form is annotated with explanatory endnotes, including citations to applicable laws, alternatives, and recommended practices.
• Annotated Form of Records Management and Retention Policy [2010]
  This form is designed to assist nonprofit organizations seeking to adopt or amend a Records Management and Retention Policy and the pro bono attorneys who represent them. The form is annotated with explanatory endnotes, including citations to applicable laws, alternatives, and recommended practices.
• Annotated Form of Whistleblower Policy [2010]
  This form is designed to assist nonprofit organizations seeking to adopt or amend a Whistleblower Policy and the pro bono attorneys who represent them. The form is annotated with explanatory endnotes, including citations to applicable laws, alternatives, and recommended practices.
• Annotated IRS Form 990 [2011]
  This guide is designed to assist California nonprofit public benefit corporations in collecting and disclosing information requested by the revised IRS Form 990. Selected portions of the revised core form, its schedules and instructions are annotated with explanatory notes, including citations to applicable federal laws, filing tips and recommended practices. Where appropriate, the annotations also discuss how California law governing nonprofit public benefit corporations relates to the revised form.
• Bankruptcy Information for Nonprofits [2009]
  In this information sheet, the topic of bankruptcy is explored through a series of questions addressing many common concerns of nonprofit organizations from both the perspective of debtor and creditor. The answers offer a starting point for a nonprofit to evaluate whether the remedy of bankruptcy can help it achieve a more sustainable economic future through a reorganization, or whether the time has come to "close with honor." Also considered are the ramifications for a nonprofit when its landlord or a key supplier files for bankruptcy protection.
• Board Orientation Manual [2011]
  This form provides a template that will help you develop an orientation manual tailored for new and existing directors of your organization. It also contains a sample appendix with a suggested list of documents that you should provide new directors to better acquaint them with your organization's corporate structure, bylaws and operating policies.
• Checklist to Maintain Tax-Exempt 501(c)(3) Status [2002]
  This alert contains certain procedural and filing requirements that nonprofit organizations must comply with under federal and California state law. If your nonprofit organization fails to comply with some or all of these requirements, its tax-exempt status may be revoked.
• Commercial Co-Ventures [2009]
  A commercial co-venture is a joint venture between a charitable organization and a for-profit business where the business announces to the general public that a portion of the purchase price of a product or service it sells or provides will, during a stated period, be paid to the charitable organization. This publication provides an overview of the registration, reporting and disclosure requirements associated with commercial co-venture programs, and tips on how to structure a commercial co-venture agreement.
• Commercial Leases [2006]
  This guide contains a general introduction to the typical provisions in a lease of commercial space, and discusses issues that a business or nonprofit organization should consider when entering into a lease of space for use in its business or nonprofit activities. It covers the following information: the basics of a commercial lease, types of commercial leases, how to acquire a commercial lease, and terms of commercial leases.
• Conducting Business Abroad [2003]
  This guide provides small business owners with an overview of how to navigate the U.S. legal and regulatory framework when conducting business abroad. It covers the following information: Importing into the United States, Exporting from the United States, Country-Specific Economic Sanctions, Antiboycott Laws, Anti-Money Laundering Laws, and The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act: Antibribery and Accounting Provisions.
• El Manejo de Negocios en el Extranjero [2003] [Spanish]
  This guide provides small business owners with an overview of how to navigate the U.S. legal and regulatory framework when conducting business abroad. It covers the following information: Importing into the United States, Exporting from the United States, Country-Specific Economic Sanctions, Antiboycott Laws, Anti-Money Laundering Laws, and The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act: Antibribery and Accounting Provisions.
• Copyrights & Fair Use for Nonprofits [2010]
  This guide contains a collection of frequently asked copyright and fair use questions and answers, divided into the following categories: Copyright Basics and Definitions, The Public Domain, Fair Use, Using Copyrighted Works, and Copyright Considerations on the Internet.
• Copyrights & Trademarks [2003]
  This guide contains an overview of federal trademark and copyright laws. It covers the following information: What is a Trademark, Trademark Laws, Choosing a Trademark, Acquiring and Protecting Trademark Rights, and Copyrights.
• Derechos de Autor y Marcas Comerciales [2003] [Spanish]
  This guide contains an overview of federal trademark and copyright laws. It covers the following information: What is a Trademark, Trademark Laws, Choosing a Trademark, Acquiring and Protecting Trademark Rights, and Copyrights.
• Dissolution of a California Nonprofit Corporation [2011]
  This guide is designed to assist directors and executive management staff of California Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporations, as well as attorneys who are assisting such corporations on a pro bono basis, understand the process of voluntary dissolution. The guide focuses on the procedures and requirements specified in the California Nonprofit Corporation Law.
• Employment Law [2009]
  In this information sheet, applicable California employment laws are explored through a series of questions addressing many common concerns of nonprofit organizations and small businesses. The answers offer a starting point for organizations to evaluate alternatives designed to reduce expenses, including reductions in salaries, work hours or benefits, as well as layoffs.
• Fiscal Sponsorship: An Alternative to Forming a Nonprofit 501(c)(3) Corporation [2009]
  Fiscal sponsorship is an alternative available to individuals or groups performing charitable services and wishing to give their donors the ability to take a charitable contribution deduction, but not wanting to spend a great amount of time and resources to comply with the extensive filing requirements, tax compliance, and other legal obligations associated with incorporation and tax exemption. Fiscal sponsorship may be appropriate when the proposed charitable program is relatively small in scope, temporary in nature or when the business plan is in its beginning stages.
• Fundraising Issues for Nonprofit Organizations [2008]
  This alert highlights certain legal considerations, including tax on unrelated business activities (UBIT), sales and use tax, substantiation of charitable contributions and solicitation for charitable purposes, involved with fundraising activities. It also covers the registration and reporting requirements for charitable poker night fundraisers, bingo, raffles, auctions and other sales of goods.
• Guide to Forming A Charitable, Tax-Exempt, Nonprofit Organization [2011]
  This guide provides a basic overview of the process, and a discussion of some of the issues to consider in determining whether to form a nonprofit tax-exempt organization. See "Steps to Form a California Nonprofit Tax-Exempt Organization" for links to samples, forms, and instructions.
• Lease Modifications [2009]
  In this information sheet, the topic of lease modifications is explored through a series of questions that address many of the common experiences and concerns of organizations leasing commercial real estate in these economically challenging times. The answers offer a starting point for a nonprofit or small business to evaluate whether it can achieve a more sustainable economic future through rent abatement, rent deferral, sub-letting, or other lease concessions.
• Leave Policies [2003]
  This guide contains an overview of overlapping federal and California state statutes that apply to any employee leave of absence issue. It covers the following information: Introduction to Employee Leave, Family and Medical Leave, The Americans with Disabilities Act, California Fair Employment and Housing Act, Pregnancy Disability Leave, Military Leave and Other Statues that Affect Employee Leave.
• Licencia Para Ausentarse [2003] [Spanish]
  This guide contains an overview of overlapping federal and California state statutes that apply to any employee leave of absence issue. It covers the following information: Introduction to Employee Leave, Family and Medical Leave, The Americans with Disabilities Act, California Fair Employment and Housing Act, Pregnancy Disability Leave, Military Leave and Other Statues that Affect Employee Leave.
• Legal Issues For Small Businesses and Nonprofit Agencies [2002]
  This guidebook provides basic information on the following subjects: Organizing your business, Forming Charitable Tax-Exempt Nonprofit Organizations, Obligations and Possible Liabilities of Directors and Officers of Public Benefit Corporations, Employment Issues, Forming and Signing Contracts, Insurance Considerations, Federal Tax Considerations for Small Businesses.
• Asuntos Legales Para Negocios Pequenos y Agencias no Lucrativas [2002] [Spanish]
  This guidebook provides basic information on the following subjects: Organizing your business, Forming Charitable Tax-Exempt Nonprofit Organizations, Obligations and Possible Liabilities of Directors and Officers of Public Benefit Corporations, Employment Issues, Forming and Signing Contracts, Insurance Considerations, Federal Tax Considerations for Small Businesses.
• List of Initial Filing Fees for Setting Up a California Tax Exempt Corporation [2010]
  
• Loan Modifications [2009]
  In this information sheet, the topic of loan modification options are explored through a series of questions addressing many common concerns of nonprofit organizations that are struggling to manage outstanding debt. The answers offer a starting point for a nonprofit to evaluate when it may be appropriate to modify a loan, what some other alternatives may be, and how a loan modification might help the nonprofit organization to keep its doors open during this economic crisis.
• Mediation vs Litigation: Things to Consider Before Going to Court [2011]
  This document defines mediation as a private process where a neutral third person called a mediator facilitates a discussion of the issues at hand and helps you and the other party to potentially resolve the dispute through negotiation; describes several advantages of the process; and provides a list of some local organizations that may be helpful.
• Merchant Contracts [2006]
  This guide provides a general introduction to transactions involving the sale of goods. It covers the following information: the fundamentals of the purchase/sale transaction, contracts, gap filling terms, delivery, inspection, acceptance and rejection, warranties and warranty disclaimers, consequential damages and other damages.
• Mutual Directorships [2004]
  This alert highlights some issues a director of multiple nonprofit organizations may encounter when presented with a business opportunity that creates a potential conflict of loyalties.
• Public Disclosure of Tax Documents
  This alert provides an overview of the legal requirement that tax-exempt organizations make federal exemption applications (Form 1023) and annual informational tax returns (Form 990) available for inspection by the public. The law requires that most tax-exempt organizations make copies available to the public on request and allow in-person inspection.
• Public Support Test [2003]
  This alert is designed as a general reminder to nonprofits that are recognized by the IRS as tax-exempt "public charities" under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. In order to maintain public charity status, most public charities must raise revenues from the general public, the government and other public charities in order to meet a numerical test. If the public charity fails to meet this test, its status may revert to that of "private foundation."
• Trademark Basics for Nonprofits [2009]
  This guide contains a collection of frequently asked trademark questions and answers, divided into the following categories: Trademark Definitions, How to Establish a Trademark, Proper Use of a Trademark, and Protecting a Trademark from Infringement.
• Wage and Hour Laws [2004]
  This alert contains a summary of California wage and hour laws that apply generally to most employers (including nonprofits), as of August 2004.
• The Housing Element - What is it, and How Can You Get Involved? [2008]
  Summarizes housing element law and what advocates can do to get involved in the 2008 update process.

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Consumer Law

• All You Need to Know About Identity Theft
  Identity theft (or ID theft) is when someone else uses your personal information, like your name, Social Security number or address, without your permission.
• Bankruptcy Resources
  These publications will provide you with the information you need to file bankruptcy, or deal with issues that arise in your bankruptcy case.
• Recursos de Bancarrota
  Estas publicaciones le proporcionan con la informacion que necesite para archivar la bancarrota, or para manejar con asuntos que surgen dentro de su bancarrota.
• Understanding Wage Garnishment and Your Options
  Wage garnishment is a legal process requiring an employer to withhold a portion of a person's earned wages to repay someone who won a lawsuit against the employee.

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Early Care & Education

• Administering Medication
  This handout is intended to provide an overview of the child care licensing guidelines for administering and storing medications.
• Child Care Operator Resource Guide
  On this page, you will find links to helpful information for operators - individuals looking to expand, renovate, or acquire a child care center.
• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Child Care
  In 1990, Congress passed the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which is designed to make an array of services, including child care programs, accessible to people with disabilities
• El Acta de los Americanos Incapacitados y el Cuidado Profesional De Ninos
  En 1990, el Congreso aprobo el Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) que es disenado para hacer varios tipos de servicios accesibles a las personas con discapacidades, tales como el servicio de cuidar a ninos en una guarderia.
• Child Care Liability Insurance
  This document contains a list of insurance carriers that provide liability insurance coverage for family child care homes. We hope you find this review of available carriers helpful as a source of general information and comparison.
• El Seguro de Responsabilidad Comercial
  Una lista de companias que proveen polizas de seguro para protegerse contra la responsabilidad comercial en su guarderia. Esperamos que esta lista sea una fuente de informacion general ademas de una comparacion practica de las companias.
• Guidelines for Releasing Children
  
• Immunization
  
• Jury Duty for Family Child Care Providers
  
• Legal Duties of Landlords to Family Child Care Provider Tenants
  
• License Exempt Child Care
  
• Naming your Family Child Care Business
  
• Nombrando Su Negocio y Guardaria
  
• Note to Tax Return Preparers Assisting Family Child Care Providers
  
• Responding to Suspected Child Abuse or Domestic Violence in Child Care Setting
  
• Running a Successful Child Care Business: Practice Good Community Relations
  
• La Importancia de Buenas Relaciones Comunitarias Para Tener una Guarderia Exitosa
  La mayoria de los problemas legales se puede evitar si uno mantiene buenas relaciones con los demas miembros de su comunidad.
• Sample Parent-Provider Contract
  
• Sample Parent-Provider Contract for Subsidized Care
  
• Muestra de Un Contrato Para Guarderias Caseras (Parent Provider Contract - Spanish)
  
• What You Need to Know About Small Claims Court
  
• Your Rights as a Homeowner or Tenant to Operate a Family Child Care
  
• Mediation vs Litigation: Things to Consider Before Going to Court [2011]
  This document defines mediation as a private process where a neutral third person called a mediator facilitates a discussion of the issues at hand and helps you and the other party to potentially resolve the dispute through negotiation; describes several advantages of the process; and provides a list of some local organizations that may be helpful.
• Workers' Compensation Insurance for Family Child Care Businesses
  

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Homelessness Prevention

• Affordable Housing Resources
  A compilation of local organizations that help people find (or offer their own) affordable housing, as well as a list of online resources for locating affordable, transitional, and public housing in Los Angeles County.
• Ex-Offender Re-entry Resources
  Referrals for ex-offenders, including job placement assistance organizations, expungement, and online job placement resources.
• Family Law Referrals
  A list of the community-based and governmental services that assist with family law issues, published by the Legal Aid Foundation of LA's Toll Center.
• Food Stamps (SNAP) Flyer
  Food Stamp Eligibility Information and How to Apply
• General Relief and CalFresh (Food Stamps) Benefits Basics
  Provides basic information about General Relief and CalFresh (Food Stamps) benefits.
• How to Deal with Parking Tickets
  An informational tool about how to deal with minor parking ticket infractions.
• Low-Cost or Free Dental Resources
  A comprehensive resource for low-cost or free dental care in Los Angeles County.
• Low-Cost or Free Medical Insurance and Prescription Drug Resources
  A list of health insurance and prescription drug assistance programs for low-income individuals and families.
• Medical Referrals in Downtown Los Angeles
  A list of referrals for physical, mental, and dental health services in Downtown Los Angeles.
• Mental Health Resources
  A limited list of referrals and resources for mental health services in Los Angeles County.
• Resolving a Traffic or Quality of Life Ticket
  Information about how to deal with minor tickets and warrants.
• Women's Shelters
  A list of shelters for single women, and women with children, in Los Angeles County.
• Winter Shelter Program 2011-2012
  Emergency winter shelters are available throughout Los Angeles County beginning December 1. This list provides the Shelter Location and Transportation Schedule, operated by Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA).

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Immigrants' Rights

• Special Immigrant Juvenile Status Manual December 2010
  This manual supplements Public Counsel's 2010-2011 Guardianship of the Person Attorney Manual, and is designed to assist attorneys in obtaining Special Immigrant Juvenile Status ("SIJS") and lawful permanent residency for children through Probate Court guardianships.
• Special Immigrant Juvenile Status and Other Immigration Options for Children & Youth
  This book, co-authored by IRP Senior Staff Attorney Kristen Jackson and published by the Immigrant Legal Resource Center in 2010, provides background and guidance on protections, procedures, and immigration options for children.
• Asylum Manual January 2012
  This manual was developed by staff attorneys at Public Counsel's Immigrants' Rights Project. It was written for volunteer attorneys working on Public Counsel's pro bono cases. It contains a summary of asylum law and related immigration relief, and guidance for both affirmative asylum applications and defensive applications. The manual includes appendices with samples and other practical materials.

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