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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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...

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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...

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FAQsGuide

02/10/26

Know Your Rights as a Child Care Business

This Know Your Rights guide explains California child care providers’ legal authority to control access to their facilities, including who may enter, when recording is prohibited, and how to respond...

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

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

FAQsGuide

02/10/26

Know Your Rights as a Child Care Business

This Know Your Rights guide explains California child care providers’ legal authority to control access to their facilities, including who may enter, when recording is prohibited, and how to respond...

Learn More

Resources

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Consumer RightsEconomic Justice

Guide

01/05/22

Self-Help “Pro Per” Guide for Completing: California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation PACE Complaint

This guide is for individuals who wish to file a complaint with the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (“DFPI”), regarding their PACE (“Property Assessed Clean Energy”) assessment. This

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Consumer RightsEconomic Justice

GuideSpanish

01/05/22

Guía de Autoayuda: Presentar Quejas ante la Directiva Estatal de Licencias Para Contratistas de California

Esta guía es para las personas que desean presentar una queja ante la Directiva Estatal de Licencias del Contratistas (“CSLB”), con respecto a un contratista con licencia CSLB o empleado

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Consumer RightsEconomic Justice

Guide

01/05/22

Self Help Guide: Filing Complaints with the California Contractor State License Board

This guide is for individuals who wish to file a complaint with the California Contractor State License Board (“CLSB”), regarding a CSLB licensed contractor or licensed contractor’s employee, or an

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BenefitsChild WelfareEducation

Guide

12/22/21

The ABC’s of Transition And the Independent Living Program

This manual is for foster youth and former foster youth and will give you an understanding of the resources available to you as you transition to adulthood. There are many services available to you that you might not even know about, such as continued Medi-Cal coverage (health insurance), tuition assistance, tutoring, and scholarship opportunities.

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BankruptcyEconomic Justice

External Resource

12/16/21

Tax Transcript (link directs to IRS website)

When you file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, you may need to provide your recent Federal income tax records. If you do not have your tax returns, you can get a

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BankruptcyEconomic Justice

Guide

12/16/21

Reaffirmation Hearing Informational Packet

A reaffirmation agreement is where you agree to pay a debt even though you could have eliminated the debt in your bankruptcy case. When you reaffirm a debt, you continue

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BankruptcyEconomic Justice

Guide

12/16/21

Managing Your Student Loans

Instructions for how to manage your student loan debts.

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BankruptcyConsumer RightsEconomic Justice

Guide

12/16/21

Free Credit Report

Instructions for how to get a free credit report from all three credit reporting agencies, which anyone is entitled to receive at no cost once a year.

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BankruptcyEconomic Justice

External Resource

12/16/21

Free or Low-Cost Bankruptcy Help

A listing of various agencies and services throughout Southern California that offer free and low-cost bankruptcy assistance.

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BankruptcyEconomic Justice

External Resource

12/16/21

Bankruptcy Filing – Fee Waiver Application and Instructions

This is the actual application for a fee waiver from the court. The instructions will tell you exactly how to fill out the forms and where to submit the application.

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