The Public Law Center is a pro-bono law firm that provides access to justice for low-income residents of Orange County
Who We Are
Founded in 1981, The Public Law Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing free legal services to low income residents and other nonprofits in Orange County. Last year, Public Law Center staff and volunteers provided over 65,000 hours of free legal services in handling over 4,500 cases benefiting low-income children, adults and seniors. The estimated value of this work is roughly $60 million in just the past three years. Our services include counseling, individual representation, community education and strategic policy advocacy and impact litigation to challenge societal injustices.
Our Volunteers
Volunteers can change somebody’s life. Last year, volunteers gave over 34,000 pro bono hours to assist our clients. Our volunteers include partners and associates at major law firms, in-house corporate counsel, solo and small firm practitioners, young lawyers, paralegals, law students, college students and an array of individuals concerned about ensuring access to justice. Our staff is committed to providing training, mentorship, samples, technical assistance, and Spanish and Vietnamese translation and interpretation to support our pro bono volunteers.
Who We Serve
We serve a wide range of clients, including immigrants, minorities, veterans, seniors, children, and low-income residents of Orange County. The issues range from domestic violence, human trafficking, guardianship, housing, health, bankruptcy, asylum, family law, consumer fraud, immigration, discrimination, and advocacy. Our services range from training seminars to individual legal advice to full representation. We also provide extensive legal support to Orange County nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations so they can better meet their legal obligations, protect themselves from unnecessary litigation, and focus on delivering critical services to Orange County residents.
Press
Stanton is razing a Latino neighborhood. Is it following the law?
July 11, 2024, Daily Pilot
Judge orders Huntington Beach to plan for more housing development
May 16, 2024, The Orange County Register
Huntington Beach ordered to pay affordable housing group $3.5 million in legal fees
May 11, 2023, Orange County Register
Lawyers at PLC Address Housing Issues for Low-Income Clients
May 2023
The Four Women Leading Orange County’s Pro Bono Legal Services Organizations Embrace The Future
March 2023
WTLC Named Public Law Center’s Community Partner of the Year
July 13, 2022, Fullerton Observer
For bargain-rate legal help, something isn’t always better than nothing
March 27, 2022, Reuters
Knobbe Martens Partner Christy Lea to Serve as 2022 President of Orange County’s Public Law Center Board of Directors
January 6, 2022, BusinessWire
Santa Ana proposes to increase developer fees, push for local workers
April 18, 2022, OC Register
How Are OC Cities Planning To Spend Their Federal Neighborhood Grant Money?
May 3, 2022, Voice of OC
Letters to the Editor: How a state bar plan could make shoddy legal service flourish
February 10, 2022, LA Times
California must end legal abuse of borrowers by collection agencies
August 24, 2021, CalMatters
PLC News
Volunteers For Justice 2024 Honorees
We are excited to introduce the 2023 Honorees that PLC will be recognizing at our upcoming Volunteers For Justice Event! Please join us on Thursday, June 15 from 5:30-8:30 pm at The Promenade and... Read More
Volunteers For Justice 2023 Honorees
We are excited to introduce the 2023 Honorees that PLC will be recognizing at our upcoming Volunteers For Justice Event! Please join us on Thursday, June 15 from 5:30-8:30 pm at The Promenade and... Read More
Monica Eav Glicken to Succeed Ken Babcock as PLC’s Executive Director and General Counsel
We are excited to announce that Monica Eav Glicken has been selected as PLC’s next Executive Director and General Counsel. Monica has served as the Directing Attorney of PLC’s Immigration Unit since 2018
A Model of Leadership
Public Law Center is a model organization – view our service record and 3 star rating on Charity Navigator.
On GuideStar
Public Law Center is a GuideStar Exchange Gold Participant. Learn what it means to be a Gold Participant.