Founded in 1970, Public Counsel is the nation’s largest provider of pro bono legal services, utilizing an innovative legal model to promote justice, hope, and opportunity in lower-income and communities of color in Los Angeles and across the nation. Through groundbreaking civil rights litigation, community building, advocacy, and policy change, as well as wide-ranging direct legal services that annually help thousands of people experiencing poverty, Public Counsel has fought to secure equal justice and opportunity for all for more than 50 years.
Public Counsel
Area of law
Details
Qulification (if any)
Housing
Eviction prevention, landlord dispute, government benefits, worker compensation/unemployment benefits, clearing financial debt, professional licenses and identification, expungement of criminal records, Eviction defense
For people who live or stay within LA county’s Service Planning Area (SPA) 9 that covers South LA, Watts, Lynwood, and Compton, Through Stay Housed LA and the Shriver Housing Project (visit their websites for details)
Federal court
Help prepare documents, provide legal advice on civil procedure in the Central District of California, and supply forms and guides on the process of litigation or defending. Does NOT provide representation or find an attorney
Veterans
Discharge upgrades, VA benefits and healthcare eligibility, VA Service-Connected Disability Compensation claims, VA benefits, California tickets and expungement, power of attorney
For veterans who have a service-related mental health condition; a service-related Traumatic Brain Injury; experienced sexual assault or harassment in service; individuals separated under ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’, For veterans with less than honorable discharge, For mental health conditions and those who experienced military sexual trauma, For survivors, dependents, and caregivers
Nonprofit organization
Incorporation, tax exemption, contracts and leases, mergers, intellectual property, drafting governance policies, and more. Issues related to nonprofit child care centers
Nonprofits serving low-income communities in LA
Small businesses
Offer advice on commercial leasing, contracts, entity formation, intellectual property, employment law, and more
Income eligibility and over-50% ownership. Readiness level evaluated by Public Counsel
Debt collection
Harassment by creditors, default judgments, wrongful wage garnishment or bank levies; for-profit schools and related student loan
Fraud
Fraud, real estate fraud; financial abuse of an elder or a disabled person; targeting disadvantaged groups for unfair business practices
Education advocacy and youth law
Prioritize the families with lower incomes, English learners, students of color, students with disabilities who are denied appropriate access to Special Education services, students pushed out of comprehensive schools, and students involved in the dependency or delinquency court systems
Child care and day care providers
Landlord discrimination against in-home care providers; land zoning barriers; compliance with regulation; business issues with liability and risk management; more
In-home daycare providers; nonprofit child care centers
Youth in foster care or on probation
Housing advocacy, traffic ticket cases, family law services, public benefits, juvenile record sealing, and name and gender change
Young people ages 16-24, who are impacted by the foster care or juvenile delinquency systems
Gender-based discrimination or violence (women and girls)
Workplace: discrimination, sexual harassment/assault, pregnancy and parenting rights, unfair pay and scheduling practices, disability rights and accommodations, sick days and family leave, covid-related issues, Education: gender discrimination at school or in higher education; sexual or gender-based harassment; campus sexual assault; title ix investigations and proceedings; rights of pregnant students, parents, and caregivers, Gender-based violence: employment rights and accommodations for survivors of domestic or sexual abuse; Title IX protections and accommodations (for violence occurring on/off campus; victim compensation; confidential address and name change (Safe at Home)
Women and girls (including non-binary individuals and anyone identifying as female)
WHO DO THEY HELP
All. Has programs for women and girls, nonprofits, small business, youth, and veterans
Contact
(213) 385-2977
Website link
Application link
Address
610 South Ardmore Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90005