- What we do
- Legal advocacy
Legal advocacy
We file lawsuits and briefs on behalf of local governments to defend civil rights from abuse, rollback, and unlawful interference. Our cases pertain to unlawful federal funding conditions, voting rights, access to reproductive rights, workers’ protections, and more.
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Committed to using government power for good
Committed to using government power for good
Committed to using government power for good
Committed to using government power for good
Committed to using government power for good
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Legal case7/27/2026
Santa Clara County v. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
California local governments urge court to stop unlawful construction of ICE facility in Santa Clara County -
Legal case7/20/2026
Michigan Republican Party v. Benson
Michigan election officials urge court to uphold common-sense rules for challengers in polling places -
Legal case7/14/2026
Comment on rule overhauling federal grantmaking process (Office of Management and Budget)
58 local governments and the U.S. Conference of Mayors oppose federal rule that would unlawfully restrict billions of dollars in federal grants -
Legal case7/10/2026
Cerny v. Wisconsin Elections Commission
Wisconsin election officials and local jurisdictions urge court to reject burdensome and unlawful procedures for voter registration and list maintenance -
Legal case7/6/2026
Comment on rule requiring immigrants to disclose public benefits (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services)
5 local governments oppose unlawful rule that would harm immigrant communities and strain local resources -
Legal case7/6/2026
United States v. Connecticut
New Haven asks court to dismiss federal lawsuit attacking its local immigration policy -
Legal case7/6/2026
Comment on rule addressing DEI discrimination (Office of Management and Budget)
10 local governments oppose anti-DEI requirements forced on federal contractors -
Legal case7/2/2026
Comment on rule creating new federal standards for ballot mail (U.S. Postal Service)
35 local election officials push back against federal mail ballot rule for its impractical and vague guidance -
Legal case7/2/2026
National Alliance to End Homelessness v. HUD (2026)
Coalition of local governments and nonprofits file second lawsuit to stop Trump administration’s attempts to restrict funding for homelessness programs -
Legal case6/29/2026
Comment on rule limiting access to HUD programs for LGBTQ+ people (Department of Housing and Urban Development)
Public Rights Project and San Francisco oppose unlawful rule that strips protections from LGBTQ+ people in federally subsidized housing -
Legal case6/24/2026
DSCC v. Trump
Bipartisan coalition of 101 state and local election officials and election experts urge court to stop unlawful federal interference in elections -
Legal case6/24/2026
United States v. County of Washtenaw
147 local governments push back against federal anti-immigration push and defend local policies in Illinois -
Legal case6/16/2026
United States v. State of Illinois
146 local governments push back against federal anti-immigration push and defend local policies in Illinois -
Legal case6/8/2026
United States v. New Mexico
Albuquerque asks court to dismiss federal lawsuit targeting its local laws on immigration enforcement -
Legal case6/2/2026
Avila v. Blanche
Local governments urge court to rehear immigration case in Eighth Circuit and consider effects of mandatory detention of immigrants -
Legal case5/6/2026
Louisiana v. FDA
Coalition of 116 local governments and local government leaders fight to preserve access to abortion medication -
Legal case4/30/2026
State of California v. Trump (2026)
Coalition of 118 local election officials and local governments urge the Supreme Court to protect election administration from unlawful federal interference -
Legal case4/28/2026
Comment on rule resulting in overbroad independent contractor classification (Department of Labor)
Public Rights Project opposes harmful rule that could strip protections and lower pay for millions of workers -
Legal case4/24/2026
Comment on rule eliminating work authorization for asylum seekers (Department of Homeland Security)
Local governments oppose federal rule that would restrict work authorization for asylum seekers -
Legal case4/21/2026
Comment on rule barring mixed-status families from subsidized housing (Department of Housing and Urban Development)
Coalition of 20 local governments push back against federal housing rule that would separate families and worsen homelessness -
Legal case4/20/2026
United States v. Weber
18 election officials and local governments push back against Department of Justice’s demand for sensitive voter data -
Legal case4/13/2026
United States v. Benson
Michigan election officials push back against Department of Justice’s demand for sensitive voter data -
Legal case4/3/2026
Attorney General of the State of California v. Bianco
California election officials and counties explain the ramifications of the Riverside ballot seizure on election administration to the California Supreme Court -
Legal case3/30/2026
Buenrostro-Mendez v. Bondi
Local governments in Fifth Circuit urge court to consider high cost and local effects of mandatory detention of immigrants -
Legal case3/16/2026
Trump v. Miot, Mullin v. Doe
Local governments, mayors, and local leaders representing largest Haitian populations defend temporary protected status -
Legal case3/11/2026
City of Columbus v. State of Ohio
Ohio government leaders defend their right to govern locally; urge court to uphold home rule -
Legal case2/26/2026
Trump v. Barbara
Coalition of 140+ local governments and local government leaders urges U.S. Supreme Court to reject Trump administration’s executive order ending birthright citizenship -
Legal case2/24/2026
United States v. New York City
75 local governments defend New York City’s policies against federal anti-immigration push -
Legal case2/24/2026
National Council of Nonprofits v. McMahon
Nine local governments push back against harmful rule that threatens vital Public Service Loan Forgiveness program -
Legal case2/17/2026
Comment on rules banning gender-affirming care for minors (Department of Health and Human Services)
14 local government officials push back against anti-trans rules that will endanger young people and public health systems -
Legal case2/5/2026
United States v. Minnesota
138 local governments and elected officials defend local policies against federal anti-immigration push -
Legal case1/23/2026
Minnesota v. Noem
Coalition of over 80 local governments and leaders urge court to block federal law enforcement deployment in Minnesota -
Legal case1/9/2026
Watson v. Republican National Committee
16 local election officials and local governments urge U.S. Supreme Court to preserve absentee ballot grace periods -
Legal case1/6/2026
Comment on petition to require proof of citizenship for the federal voter registration form (Election Assistance Commission)
More than 20 current and former local election officials urge federal government to reject proof-of-citizenship requirement for voter registration -
Legal case1/6/2026
United States v. California
California local governments and leaders urge court to protect the state’s ban on masks for federal law enforcement -
Legal case12/22/2025
Comment on rule expanding grounds for immigration inadmissibility based on use of government benefits (Department of Homeland Security)
Public Rights Project and New York City file comment opposing unlawful and burdensome changes to public assistance rule. -
Legal case12/2/2025
National Alliance to End Homelessness v. HUD
Seven local governments, alongside national and local organizations, file lawsuit to stop Trump administration’s attempts to restrict funding for homelessness programs -
Legal case11/19/2025
U.S. v. Boston
City of Boston asks court to dismiss federal lawsuit attacking local policy, defends public safety law -
Legal case11/7/2025
RISCC v. Rollins
More than 80 local governments and leaders urge court to protect SNAP benefits amid government appeal. -
Legal case11/4/2025
Lujan v. FMCSA, King County v. DOT
19 local government leaders and officials urge court to block rule that strips commercial driver’s licenses from non-citizens -
Legal case10/28/2025
Chicago v. Mullin
Fourteen local governments file lawsuit to stop Trump administration’s attempts to unlawfully put conditions on more than $100 million in emergency management funding -
Legal case10/21/2025
United States v. Newark
66 local governments defend four New Jersey policies against federal anti-immigration push -
Legal case10/15/2025
Planned Parenthood v. HHS
42 local governments and leaders urge court to protect Medicaid funding for health care providers, including Planned Parenthood -
Legal case10/14/2025
Illinois v. Trump
Coalition of more than 100 local governments and leaders urge court to block National Guard deployment in Chicago -
Legal case10/7/2025
State of Oregon v. Trump
100 local governments and leaders support Portland and state of Oregon in their fight against federalization of National Guard -
Legal case10/2/2025
Santa Clara County v. Noem
29 local governments file lawsuit to stop Trump administration’s unlawful attempts to restrict or terminate more than $350 million in emergency management funding -
Legal case9/5/2025
Louisiana v. Callais
Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus files amicus brief defending the Voting Rights Act -
Legal case8/26/2025
United States v. City of Rochester
137 local governments and elected officials defend local policies that protect community well-being. -
Legal case8/25/2025
Culture of Life Family Services v. Bonta
Public Rights Project files amicus brief defending local government authority to enforce consumer protection laws -
Legal case8/14/2025
Comment on rule changing definition of “federal public benefit” to impose strict screening requirements (Department of Health and Human Services)
15 local governments and 21 local government leaders file comment opposing unlawful and burdensome changes to federal public benefit programs. -
Legal case7/7/2025
Svitlana Doe v. Noem
Local governments and local government leaders urge court to reinstate programs allowing immigrants to live and work in the U.S. -
Legal case6/26/2025
Mid-America Milling Co. v. U.S. Department of Transportation
Public Rights Project filed an amicus brief supporting local governments in a court case that could limit how federal funds are used to promote equity and fairness in awarding government contracts. -
Legal case6/26/2025
Appalachian Voices v. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Coalition files class action lawsuit challenging Trump administration’s termination of environmental grants -
Legal case6/17/2025
Newsom v. Trump
53 local governments and local government leaders urge court to protect California against federal interference during public protests -
Legal case6/6/2025
Vera Institute of Justice v. U.S. Department of Justice
Public Rights Project files amicus brief for 25 jurisdictions to protect public safety and more in local communities -
Legal case6/5/2025
State of Washington v. Trump
Coalition of local election officials argue that executive order unlawfully attempts to direct state regulation of elections -
Legal case5/15/2025
State of California v. Trump (2025)
Public Rights Project files amicus brief for 30 jurisdictions to protect election integrity and administration from new executive order -
Legal case5/9/2025
AFGE v. Trump
National coalition sues Trump administration over its unlawful reorganization of the federal government -
Legal case5/5/2025
Comment on restricting access to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program (Department of Education)
Public Rights Project opposes Trump administration’s plans to place restrictions on Public Service Loan Forgiveness program -
Legal case5/2/2025
Comment on rule changing gender marker policy on U.S. passports (State Department)
Public Rights Project and local government coalition files comment opposing gender marker changes to passports -
Legal case5/2/2025
Democratic National Committee v. Boehm
Madison City Attorney and Public Rights Project file amicus brief urging Wisconsin Court of Appeals to protect state courts’ ability to extend voting hours -
Legal case5/2/2025
King County v. Turner
Counties and cities file lawsuit to stop Trump administration’s unlawful attempts to restrict or terminate housing and transit funding. -
Legal case4/24/2025
Harris County v. Department of Health and Human Services
Coalition of 4 local governments and union representing state and local government workers sue Department of Health and Human Services over termination of critical health programs -
Legal case4/21/2025
Sustainability Institute v. Trump
Public Rights Project challenges Trump administration’s federal funding freeze on behalf of nonprofits and cities -
Legal case4/15/2025
Casa, Inc. v. Trump (April 2025)
Coalition of more than 150 local governments urges U.S. Supreme Court to issue nationwide injunction, blocking birthright citizenship executive order from going into effect -
Legal case4/11/2025
State of Washington et al. v. Donald Trump
Coalition of 130 local governments urges Court of Appeals to uphold preliminary injunction, blocking birthright citizenship executive order from going into effect -
Legal case4/9/2025
Perkins Coie LLP v. U.S. Department of Justice
23 NGOs file amicus brief in support of Perkins Coie, defending lawyers’ First Amendment rights -
Legal case3/27/2025
Baxter v. Philadelphia Board of Elections
34 county commissioners urge Pennsylvania Supreme Court to reject mail-in ballot date requirement -
Legal case3/18/2025
Uber Technologies, Inc., and Portier, LLC v. City of Seattle
Public Rights Project and city of Seattle urge court to uphold disclosure law to protect app-based workers -
Legal case3/12/2025
Medina v. Planned Parenthood
Coalition of local governments urges U.S. Supreme Court to defend Medicaid patients’ right to choose qualified providers -
Legal case3/10/2025
San Francisco Unified School District, City of Santa Fe v. AmeriCorps
Public Rights Project files lawsuit against AmeriCorps for violating funding laws in two cities -
Legal case2/19/2025
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, et al. v. National Institutes of Health
Public Rights Project joins 45 mayors, cities, and counties opposing National Institutes of Health funding cuts -
Legal case2/10/2025
Missouri v. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Columbus and Madison join legal fight to protect reproductive health privacy in Missouri lawsuit -
Legal case2/7/2025
San Francisco v. Trump
Coalition of local governments sue Trump administration to defend sanctuary policies from federal interference -
Legal case2/5/2025
Casa, Inc. v. Donald J. Trump
Coalition of more than 110 local governments push back against Trump administration’s executive order ending birthright citizenship -
Legal case2/2/2025
Tennessee v. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Columbus and Madison join legal fight to protect reproductive health privacy in Tennessee lawsuit -
Legal case1/17/2025
Purl, M.D. v. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Columbus and Madison join legal fight to protect reproductive health privacy in lawsuit -
Legal case1/17/2025
Texas v. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Columbus and Madison join legal fight to protect reproductive health privacy in Texas lawsuit -
Legal case12/16/2024
Petersen v. Fontes
Arizona election officials defend Election Procedures Manual against legal challenges -
Legal case10/11/2024
Washington County Board of Elections v. Center for Coalfield Justice
Public Rights Project and Pennsylvania county commissioners urge court to support mail-in ballot notice procedures -
Legal case8/2/2024
O’Halloran v. Benson (2024)
Michigan clerks file brief urging state Supreme Court to uphold protections against frivolous election challenges -
Legal case7/2/2024
Priorities USA v. Wisconsin Elections Commissions (SCoWI)
Wisconsin election officials urge state Supreme Court to reinstate ballot drop boxes ahead of 2024 election -
Legal case9/29/2021
Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization
Nearly 30 local governments urge U.S. Supreme Court to uphold Roe v. Wade citing disparities in reproductive healthcare