Attach to Form 990 or Form 990-EZ.
Information about Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) and its instructions is at www.irs.gov/form990.
| (i)Name of supported organization | (ii) EIN | (iii) Type of organization (described on lines 1- 9 above or IRC section (see instructions)) | (iv) Is the organization listed in your governing document? | (v) Amount of monetary support (see instructions) | (vi) Amount of other support (see instructions) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | No | |||||
| Total | ||||||
Calendar year (or fiscal year beginning in) ![]() |
(a) 2010 | (b) 2011 | (c) 2012 | (d) 2013 | (e) 2014 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gifts, grants, contributions, and membership fees received. (Do not include any "unusual grants.") .... | 6,405,319 | 9,300,993 | 8,382,118 | 8,797,035 | 10,447,264 | 43,332,729 |
| 2 | Tax revenues levied for the organization's benefit and either paid to or expended on its behalf....... | 0 | |||||
| 3 | The value of services or facilities furnished by a governmental unit to the organization without charge.. | 0 | |||||
| 4 | Total. Add lines 1 through 3 | 6,405,319 | 9,300,993 | 8,382,118 | 8,797,035 | 10,447,264 | 43,332,729 |
| 5 | The portion of total contributions by each person (other than a governmental unit or publicly supported organization) included on line 1 that exceeds 2% of the amount shown on line 11, column (f).. | 0 | |||||
| 6 | Public support. Subtract line 5 from line 4. | 43,332,729 | |||||
Calendar year
(or fiscal year beginning in) ![]() |
(a) 2010 | (b) 2011 | (c) 2012 | (d) 2013 | (e) 2014 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Amounts from line 4.. | 6,405,319 | 9,300,993 | 8,382,118 | 8,797,035 | 10,447,264 | 43,332,729 |
| 8 | Gross income from interest, dividends, payments received on securities loans, rents, royalties and income from similar sources... | 390,657 | 365,067 | 350,417 | 162,028 | 101,150 | 1,369,319 |
| 9 | Net income from unrelated business activities, whether or not the business is regularly carried on.. | ||||||
| 10 | Other income. Do not include gain or loss from the sale of capital assets (Explain in Part VI.).. | -20,527 | 19,966 | 1,355,581 | 60,414 | 36,962 | 1,452,396 |
| 11 | Total support Add lines 7 through 10. | 46,154,444 | |||||
Calendar year (or fiscal year beginning in) ![]() |
(a) 2010 | (b) 2011 | (c) 2012 | (d) 2013 | (e) 2014 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gifts, grants, contributions, and membership fees received. (Do not include any "unusual grants.") . | ||||||
| 2 | Gross receipts from admissions, merchandise sold or services performed, or facilities furnished in any activity that is related to the organization's tax-exempt purpose...... | ||||||
| 3 | Gross receipts from activities that are not an unrelated trade or business under section 513.. | ||||||
| 4 | Tax revenues levied for the organization's benefit and either paid to or expended on its behalf... | ||||||
| 5 | The value of services or facilities furnished by a governmental unit to the organization without charge.. | ||||||
| 6 | Total. Add lines 1 through 5. | ||||||
| 7a | Amounts included on lines 1, 2, and 3 received from disqualified persons... | ||||||
| b | Amounts included on lines 2 and 3 received from other than disqualified persons that exceed the greater of $5,000 or 1% of the amount on line 13 for the year. | ||||||
| c | Add lines 7a and 7b.. | ||||||
| 8 | Public support (Subtract line 7c from line 6.) | ||||||
Calendar year (or fiscal year beginning in) ![]() |
(a) 2010 | (b) 2011 | (c) 2012 | (d) 2013 | (e) 2014 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | Amounts from line 6... | ||||||
| 10a | Gross income from interest, dividends, payments received on securities loans, rents, royalties and income from similar sources.. | ||||||
| b | Unrelated business taxable income (less section 511 taxes) from businesses acquired after June 30, 1975. | ||||||
| c | Add lines 10a and 10b. | ||||||
| 11 | Net income from unrelated business activities not included in line 10b, whether or not the business is regularly carried on. | ||||||
| 12 | Other income. Do not include gain or loss from the sale of capital assets (Explain in Part VI.) .. | ||||||
| 13 | Total support. (Add lines 9, 10c, 11, and 12.).. | ||||||
| Section A - Adjusted Net Income | (A) Prior Year |
(B) Current Year (optional) |
||||
| 1 | Net short-term capital gain | 1 | ||||
| 2 | Recoveries of prior-year distributions | 2 | ||||
| 3 | Other gross income (see instructions) | 3 | ||||
| 4 | Add lines 1 through 3 | 4 | ||||
| 5 | Depreciation and depletion | 5 | ||||
| 6 | Portion of operating expenses paid or incurred for production or collection of gross income or for management, conservation, or maintenance of property held for production of income (see instructions) | 6 | ||||
| 7 | Other expenses (see instructions) | 7 | ||||
| 8 | Adjusted Net Income (subtract lines 5, 6 and 7 from line 4) | 8 | ||||
| Section B - Minimum Asset Amount | (A) Prior Year |
(B) Current Year (optional) |
||||
| 1 | Aggregate fair market value of all non-exempt-use assets (see instructions for short tax year or assets held for part of year): | 1 | ||||
| a | Average monthly value of securities | 1a | ||||
| b | Average monthly cash balances | 1b | ||||
| c | Fair market value of other non-exempt-use assets | 1c | ||||
| d | Total (add lines 1a, 1b, and 1c) | 1d | ||||
| e | Discount claimed for blockage or other factors (explain in detail in Part VI): | |||||
| 2 | Acquisition indebtedness applicable to non-exempt use assets | 2 | ||||
| 3 | Subtract line 2 from line 1d | 3 | ||||
| 4 | Cash deemed held for exempt use. Enter 1-1/2% of line 3 (for greater amount, see instructions). | 4 | ||||
| 5 | Net value of non-exempt-use assets (subtract line 4 from line 3) | 5 | ||||
| 6 | Multiply line 5 by .035 | 6 | ||||
| 7 | Recoveries of prior-year distributions | 7 | ||||
| 8 | Minimum Asset Amount (add line 7 to line 6) | 8 | ||||
| Section C - Distributable Amount | Current Year | |||||
| 1 | Adjusted net income for prior year (from Section A, line 8, Column A) | 1 | ||||
| 2 | Enter 85% of line 1 | 2 | ||||
| 3 | Minimum asset amount for prior year (from Section B, line 8, Column A) | 3 | ||||
| 4 | Enter greater of line 2 or line 3 | 4 | ||||
| 5 | Income tax imposed in prior year | 5 | ||||
| 6 | Distributable Amount. Subtract line 5 from line 4, unless subject to emergency temporary reduction (see instructions) | 6 | ||||
| 7 | Check here if the current year is the organization's first as a non-functionally-integrated Type III supporting organization (see instructions) | |||||
| Section D - Distributions | Current Year | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Amounts paid to supported organizations to accomplish exempt purposes | ||
|
2
Amounts paid to perform activity that directly furthers exempt purposes of supported organizations, in excess of income from activity |
||
| 3 Administrative expenses paid to accomplish exempt purposes of supported organizations | ||
| 4 Amounts paid to acquire exempt-use assets | ||
| 5 Qualified set-aside amounts (prior IRS approval required) | ||
| 6 Other distributions (describe in Part VI). See instructions | ||
| 7Total annual distributions. Add lines 1 through 6. | ||
|
8
Distributions to attentive supported organizations to which the organization is responsive (provide details in Part VI). See instructions |
||
| 9 Distributable amount for 2014 from Section C, line 6 | ||
| 10 Line 8 amount divided by Line 9 amount | ||
| Section E - Distribution Allocations (see instructions) |
(i) Excess Distributions |
(ii) Underdistributions Pre-2014 |
(iii) Distributable Amount for 2014 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1
Distributable amount for 2014 from Section C, line 6 |
||||
|
2
Underdistributions, if any, for years prior to 2014 (reasonable cause required--see instructions) |
||||
| 3 Excess distributions carryover, if any, to 2014: | ||||
| a From 2009.......X | ||||
| b From 2010.......X | ||||
| c From 2011.......X | ||||
| d From 2012.......X | ||||
| e From 2013....... | ||||
| fTotal of lines 3a through e | ||||
| g Applied to underdistributions of prior years | ||||
| h Applied to 2014 distributable amount | ||||
|
i
Carryover from 2009 not applied (see instructions) |
||||
| j Remainder. Subtract lines 3g, 3h, and 3i from 3f. | ||||
| 4Distributions for 2014 from Section D, line 7: | ||||
| $ | ||||
| a Applied to underdistributions of prior years | ||||
| b Applied to 2014 distributable amount | ||||
| c Remainder. Subtract lines 4a and 4b from 4. | ||||
|
5
Remaining underdistributions for years prior to 2014, if any. Subtract lines 3g and 4a from line 2 (if amount greater than zero, see instructions) |
||||
|
6
Remaining underdistributions for 2014. Subtract lines 3h and 4b from line 1 (if amount greater than zero, see instructions) |
||||
|
7 Excess distributions carryover to 2015. Add lines 3j and 4c. |
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| 8 Breakdown of line 7: | ||||
| a From 2010.......X | ||||
| b From 2011.......X | ||||
| c From 2012.......X | ||||
| d From 2013....... | ||||
| e From 2014....... | ||||
| Facts And Circumstances Test |
|---|
| Return Reference | Explanation |
|---|
| Software ID: | 14000265 |
| Software Version: | 2014v5.0 |
Attach to Form 990 or 990-EZ.
Information about Schedule O (Form 990 or 990-EZ) and its instructions is at| Return Reference | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Form 990, Part III, Line 4d: Other Program Services Description | OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES 4: Consumer Law: Public Counsel staff attorneys and volunteers provide direct legal representation and education to indigent clients in consumer law matters including homeowners defrauded by home equity scam artists, predatory lenders and foreclosure consultants; victims of car scams and door-to-door sales scams; and debtors suffering from collection agency harassment. Public Counsel's debtor assistance project (DAP) provides legal assistance to low-income debtors confronting various legal bankruptcy issues and concerns, and operates a bankruptcy self help center and clinic at the bankruptcy court. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES 5: Community Development: Public Counsel staff and volunteers provide comprehensive legal and capacity building services (including transactional legal services such as contracts, tax and corporate compliance, employment law and intellectual property, land use, and formation of nonprofit corporations) for nonprofits that assist lower income people and neighborhoods and for small businesses and low income entrepreneurs located in, and employing residents of, low income neighborhoods, including child care providers who care for low income children. Our Housing Opportunities, Preservation and Enforcement unit uses advocacy, litigation and land use tools to support the development and preservation of affordable housing for lower income persons. Our Early Care and Education law unit works to support greater access to quality early care and education by helping to expand child care centers, providing education and support to those who want to start a childcare business, and working with state and local agencies to improve the quality and availability of child care. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES 6: Appellate Law: Public Counsel staff attorneys provide assistance at a self-help clinic to unrepresented, indigent litigants with civil matters pending in the appellate courts, and place selected civil appellate matters with pro bono attorneys for representation. Public Counsel staff and volunteers also operate a self-help clinic for unrepresented indigent litigants in the Federal District Court, educate litigants about federal court procedures, and provide direct representation to indigent litigants in federal court through staff attorneys and pro bono attorneys. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES 7: Veterans Benefits: Public Counsel's veterans project (the Center for Veterans Advancement) works to overcome homelessness, poverty, and loss of quality of life among veterans. Public Counsel staff and volunteers provide legal representation to veterans and their caregivers to help them secure the government benefits earned through their service, and overcome barriers to employment, housing, medical care and/or supportive services. Public Counsel's staff and volunteers represent veterans in state courts, the Department of Veterans Affairs and the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES 8: Impact Litigation Project: Public Counsels impact litigation team (Opportunity Under Law) builds on Public Counsel's longstanding economic justice practice. Public Counsel Opportunity Under Law brings suit in federal and state courts to combat economic injustice through litigation and other means. The lawsuits this project initiates affect large groups within Public Counsel's service focus. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES 9: Statewide Education Rights: Public Counsels Statewide Education Rights team unites litigation, legislative and policy change, direct legal services and community partnerships to address issues of educational opportunity that affect youth throughout the state of California. Our education rights attorneys work through education, litigation and direct legal representation to ensure that youth and families receive supports they need to succeed and works to keep kids in school and reduce out-of-school suspensions and expulsions in order to improve student learning and graduation rates and stop the school to prison pipeline. |
| Form 990, Part VI, Line 6: Explanation of Classes of Members or Shareholder | PUBLIC COUNSEL HAS TWO MEMBERS: THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION (LACBA) AND THE BEVERLY HILLS BAR ASSOCIATION (BHBA). |
| Form 990, Part VI, Line 11b: Form 990 Review Process | FORM 990 IS PREPARED BY AN INDEPENDENT CPA, REVIEWED AND APPROVED BY MANAGEMENT AND THE AUDIT COMMITTEE, AND SUBMITTED TO BOARD OF DIRECTORS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE FOR FINAL APPROVAL. A COPY OF THE FINAL FORM 990 IS THEN SENT ELECTRONICALLY TO ALL BOARD MEMBERS PRIOR TO IT BEING FILED. |
| Form 990, Part VI, Line 12c: Explanation of Monitoring and Enforcement of Conflicts | A CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY HAS BEEN APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. A CONFLICT OF INTEREST DISCLOSURE STATEMENT IS FURNISHED ANNUALLY TO EACH DIRECTOR, OFFICER, AND KEY EMPLOYEE. THE FORMS ARE REVIEWED AND SIGNED WITH ANY CONFLICTS NOTED AND RETURNED TO A STAFF MEMBER WHO HANDLES BOARD AFFAIRS. |
| Form 990, Part VI, Line 15b: Compensation Review and Approval Process for Officers and Key Employees | THE COMPENSATION OF THE ORGANIZATION'S CEO, OTHER COMPENSATED OFFICERS AND KEY EMPLOYEES IS APPROVED BY THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, AFTER REVIEW OF A SURVEY OF COMPARABLE SALARIES PAID BY SIMILARLY SITUATED ORGANIZATIONS. THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE IS MADE UP OF INDEPENDENT BOARD MEMBERS AND ITS DECISIONS ARE CONTEMPORANEOUSLY DOCUMENTED. |
| Form 990, Part VI, Line 19: Other Organization Documents Publicly Available | GOVERNING DOCUMENTS, CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICIES, AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ARE AVAILABLE TO EXECUTIVE STAFF AND THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. UPON REQUEST FROM THE GENERAL PUBLIC, PUBLIC COUNSEL WILL PROVIDE ACCESS TO THESE DOCUMENTS AS REQUIRED BY LAW. |
| Software ID: | 14000265 |
| Software Version: | 2014v5.0 |