Who We Are
Founded in January 1982, Public Justice (originally Trial Lawyers for Public Justice) is a nonprofit legal advocacy organization that takes on purveyors of corporate corruption, sexual abusers and harassers, and polluters who ravage the environment.
At its core, each of our battles is inspired by a pledge to further equity and equality, end systemic oppression, and protect and expand access to justice for all. Armed with insightful, nuanced knowledge of federal and state laws and savvy communications and organizing strategies, our team fights to protect the environment, solidify and enhance civil rights and ensure every individual can exercise their right to have their day in court.
As dedicated public interest advocates, we know that injustice is America’s enemy, holding us all back and preventing our country from working the way it was meant to work. That’s why our team partners with like-minded allies, organizations, and advocates around the country to fight injustice and preserve access to the courts for ordinary people.
Together, we’ve made a long line of wrongdoers account for the injustices inflicted on people: deceptive pharmaceutical companies, irresponsible manufacturers, unscrupulous payday lenders, unjust employers, punitive credit card companies, unfair school athletic programs, inhumane government detention centers, dangerous food producers, reckless polluters and more.
Public Justice was founded by and continues thanks to the support of those dedicated to doing good in the public interest through impact litigation and strategically aligned advocacy campaigns. Click here for more on our history.
We launched this fight 40 years ago. And we’re just getting started.
Our Mission
We take on the biggest systemic threats to justice of our time – abusive corporate power and predatory practices, the assault on civil rights and liberties, and the destruction of the earth’s sustainability. We connect high-impact litigation with strategic communications and the strength of our partnerships to fight these abusive and discriminatory systems and win social and economic justice.
Our Vision
We strive for a just and equitable society where our systems and institutions are explicitly anti-racist and anti-sexist and serve the common good for the benefit of all, and where a person’s opportunities and outcomes in life are not dictated by their race, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, political or economic power, or other social identities.
Financial Information
Our form 990 for 2022 is available here.
Our form 990 for 2021 is available here.
Our form 990 for 2020 is available here.
Our form 990 for 2019 is available here.
Our form 990 for 2018 is available here.
Our form 990 for 2017 is available here.
Our form 990 for 2016 is available here.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Policy
Public Justice is committed to a diverse, inclusive, and equitable environment where all staff, including fellows, interns, externs, and members feel respected and valued regardless of gender, gender identity or expression, age, race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, sexual orientation or identity, disability, education, veteran status or any other bias.
Click here to view our DEI policy.