About Us

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

Resource Library

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

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

All Resources

Filter Close Filters

Nonprofits

Form 990 Policy and Memo

08/02/22

Form 990 Series – Mission Statement Memorandum

This is a memorandum for attorneys to use in advising nonprofit clients when answering Form 990 Part I, line 1 and Part III, line 1 (description of organization’s mission and

Learn More

Nonprofits

Form 990 Policy and Memo

08/02/22

Form 990 Series – Joint Venture Policy and Memorandum

This memorandum includes a sample policy for nonprofit organizations engaging in joint ventures to ensure that they are complying with applicable IRS requirements, as well as a discussion of the

Learn More

Nonprofits

Form 990 Policy and Memo

08/02/22

Form 990 Series – Investment Policy and Memorandum

This memorandum includes a sample nonprofit organization investment policy, as well as a discussion of the legal rationale and background for the policy and considerations for implementation. This policy and

Learn More

Nonprofits

Form 990 Policy and Memo

08/02/22

Form 990 Series – Independent Governing Body Policy and Memorandum

This memorandum includes a sample independent governing body policy, as well as a discussion of the legal rationale and background for the policy and considerations for implementation. The purpose of

Learn More

Nonprofits

Form 990 Policy and Memo

08/02/22

Form 990 Series – Gift Acceptance Policy and Memorandum

This memorandum includes a sample gift acceptance policy for California tax-exempt organizations, as well as a discussion of the legal rationale and background for the policy and considerations for implementation.

Learn More

Nonprofits

Form 990 Policy and Memo

08/02/22

Form 990 Series – Fundraising Policy and Memorandum

This memorandum includes a sample fundraising policy for California nonprofits to ensure that the solicitation of donations complies with relevant state and federal laws, as well as a discussion of

Learn More

Nonprofits

Form 990 Policy and Memo

08/02/22

Form 990 Series – Document Retention Policy and Memorandum

This memorandum includes a sample document retention and destruction policy for tax-exempt organizations, as well as a discussion of the legal rationale and background for the policy and considerations for

Learn More

Nonprofits

Form 990 Policy and Memo

08/02/22

Form 990 Policy Series – Conservation Easement Policy and Memorandum

This memorandum includes a sample policy for tax-exempt organizations to ensure compliance with federal laws governing acceptance of conservation easements, as well as a discussion of the legal rationale and

Learn More

Nonprofits

Form 990 Policy and Memo

08/02/22

Form 990 Policy Series – Conflict of Interest Policy and Memorandum

This memorandum includes a sample Conflict of Interest Policy for California nonprofit public benefit corporations exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, as well as a discussion of

Learn More

Nonprofits

Form 990 Policy and Memo

08/02/22

Form 990 Policy Series – Executive Compensation Policy and Memorandum

This memorandum includes a sample policy for the review and approval of compensation of nonprofit officers and executives, as well as a discussion of the legal rationale and background for

Learn More
Previous