Get Involved: Co-Counseling

Fair Housing Law Project and Public Interest Law Firm have a limited number of cases per year that require the help of private firms in the role of co-counsel.

Fair Housing Law Project
Fair Housing Law Project has opportunities for private firms to co-counsel cases helping victims of predatory home loans. Our clients, often elderly or monolingual Spanish-speaking, are targeted by unscrupulous brokers and lenders who charge enormous fees and obtain loans unaffordable to the clients. These clients are often given misleading information about their loans, pressured to sign quickly, and threatened if they do not follow through. As a result of these predatory loans, clients lose their equity and often the home itself. If you or your firm is interested in co-counseling, please contact Carrie Chung at carriec@lawfoundation.org or (408) 280-2472.

Public Interest Law Firm's

Public Interest Counsel

The mission of the Public Interest Law Firm (PILF) is to protect the human rights of individuals and groups in the Silicon Valley who are underrepresented in the civil justice system. PILF accomplishes its mission by leveraging the skills and resources of pro bono attorneys to provide high-quality representation in class action and impact litigation, advocacy in state and local government, and litigation support to local legal services programs.

PILF has a wide-ranging litigation and advocacy docket in the areas of consumer rights; civil rights; fair, habitable, and affordable housing; inmates' rights; physical and mental health access; disability rights; and youth rights.

Public Interest Counsel (PIC) is a group of civic-minded attorneys and law firms who provide the legal firepower and financial backing necessary to allow Public Interest Law Firm (PILF) to pursue litigation and other advocacy projects with a significant beneficial impact on disadvantaged communities in Silicon Valley. Some PIC members have taken on active roles, serving as co-counsel on cases and on the Law Foundation's Board of Directors and Impact Litigation Committee. PIC was formed in 1987 to expand PILF's ability to take on large-scale litigation and to end its reliance on unpredictable attorney's fee awards.

Why should my firm and I join PIC?
Community Impact: PIC members have the satisfaction of belonging to an organization that is dedicated to pursuing the cause of social justice for large groups of disadvantaged people whose civil or constitutional rights are threatened.
Pro Bono Opportunities: Law firms that join PIC are given priority for co-counseling impact litigation with PILF. These opportunities provide firm attorneys with valuable experience and training in litigation, negotiation, and client contact.
Networking & Recognition: PIC members receive invitations to Law Foundation events where you can meet other attorneys committed to public interest work. PIC members are acknowledged in PILF's brochure and the Law Foundation's annual report.
Community Activism Opportunities: Members can volunteer to work, side by side with seasoned PILF attorneys, on non-litigation matters that have major community import.

How do I join PIC?
Law firms are encouraged to make a yearly donation commensurate with their size; a minimum donation of $2000 is required. The recommended yearly donation for membership for attorneys is the value of a billable hour at the attorney's current rate. Please contact Carrie Chungfor more information about how to join PIC at carriec@lawfoundation.org or (408) 280-2472.

For more information about co-counseling partnerships, please contact our Pro Bono Services Coordinator, Carrie Chung, at carriec@lawfoundation.org or (408) 280-2472. You may also download our Pro Bono Interest Form. Please fax the completed form to Carrie at (408)293-0106.