Children's Law Center of California
Children's Law Center of California is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1990 that provides court-appointed, multidisciplinary legal representation to abused, neglected, and abandoned children in the Los Angeles, Sacramento, and Placer County dependency court systems, serving 12,000–19,000 youth annually.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1990
- HeadquartersMonterey Park, United States
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Children's Law Center of California does
Children's Law Center of California (CLC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit legal services organization founded in 1990 and headquartered in Monterey Park, California. It provides court-appointed legal representation for abused, neglected, and abandoned children under the jurisdiction of the dependency court systems in Los Angeles, Sacramento, and Placer Counties. The organization is the largest children's legal services entity in the United States, employing approximately 500–550 attorneys, social work investigators, paralegals, mental health clinicians, peer advocates, and support staff, and representing roughly 12,000–19,000 youth annually across more than 105,000 court appearances and 24,000 independent investigations per year.
CLC's service model is built on a multidisciplinary advocacy platform integrating legal representation with social work investigation, mental health advocacy, educational rights protection, immigration relief, transition-age youth support, and specialized programs for commercially sexually exploited children (CSEC), crossover youth (CARE), and expectant/parenting foster youth. The technology layer consists of standard case management, client tracking, and office productivity infrastructure — no proprietary software platforms or AI/ML systems were disclosed. Program modules such as the Mental Health Advocacy Team, Peer Advocate Program (staffed by individuals with lived foster care experience), and the Family Support & Advocacy Center (FSAC) represent the operational extension of this integrated model.
Revenue is generated through four primary streams: (1) government/county contracts for court-appointed dependency representation, (2) individual and corporate donations (one-time and recurring), (3) cy pres awards from class action settlements, and (4) foundation grants (e.g., Doris Duke Foundation for FSAC evaluation). All services to clients are provided at no cost. Fundraising is executed through galas (Advocates in Action, Art of Advocacy Gala), Big Day of Giving, online donations, and corporate/law firm partnerships. As a court-appointed monopoly provider in its served counties, CLC operates without traditional sales competition, distributing services through judicial appointment rather than commercial channels.
Children's Law Center of California firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Children's Law Center of California
- Legal name
- Children's Law Center of California
- Website
- https://clccal.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1990
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Short description
- Children's Law Center of California is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1990 that provides court-appointed, multidisciplinary legal representation to abused, neglected, and abandoned children in the Los Angeles, Sacramento, and Placer County dependency court systems, serving 12,000–19,000 youth annually.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Children's Law Center of California industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Child Welfare Legal Services
- NAICS
- Offices of Lawyers (54111), Child and Youth Services (62411), Legal Services (5411)
- SIC
- Services-Legal Services (8111), Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Child Welfare, Foster Care & Adoption Services (BPAGAEAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Legal Aid & Client Advocacy Services (BPAGAEAM), Child Protection & Child Rights (BPAGABAG)
Keywords
Where Children's Law Center of California is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Monterey Park
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices4 records
Markets served
Children's Law Center of California business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Government Contracts / Court-Appointed Representation: CLC is the court-appointed counsel for all children and youth with child welfare cases in Monterey Park and Lancaster dependency courtrooms in Los Angeles County, and in Sacramento and Placer counties. Revenue is derived from government (county/state) contracts and court-appointment arrangements for dependency legal services.
- Individual and Corporate Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals, law firms, corporations, and small businesses. Donation page offers one-time and monthly giving options with designations for specific programs.
- Cy Pres Awards: Legal award funds directed to CLC from class action settlements where CLC is a named recipient, supporting programs serving children in foster care.
- Foundation Grants: Foundation funding support (e.g., Doris Duke Foundation grant for FSAC program evaluation). One-time and multi-year grant funding for specific programs and evaluations.
- 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization: Registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit (Federal ID 95-4252143). All donations are tax-deductible and go directly to aid foster youth without administrative costs.
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels8 records
Children's Law Center of California product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Children's Law Center of California provides court-appointed legal representation for children ages 0-21 in dependency court proceedings across Los Angeles, Sacramento, and Placer counties. The organization uses a multidisciplinary advocacy model combining attorneys, social work investigators, peer advocates with lived foster care experience, mental health specialists, immigration experts, education advocates, and subject matter experts in CSEC, crossover youth, and transition-age youth. Beyond direct representation, CLC engages in legislative advocacy and policy reform, having sponsored over 60 pieces of child welfare legislation since 2002.
Product overview
Children's Law Center of California is a nonprofit legal services organization providing a comprehensive suite of services for children in foster care across Los Angeles, Sacramento, and Placer counties. The organization operates three core service pillars: Legal Representation (dependency court advocacy for children ages 0-21), Multidisciplinary Advocacy (holistic support including social workers, peer advocates, and specialized teams), and Policy & Legislation (system reform through legislative advocacy). The core offerings are supported by specialized program modules including the CARE Program for crossover youth, CSEC Team for trafficking survivors, Educational Advocacy with Education Rights Holders, Expectant and Parenting Youth (EPY) program, Family Support & Advocacy Center (FSAC), Immigration Team, Mental Health Advocacy Team (MHAT), Peer Advocate Program, ReDD Committee, and Young Parent Support and Advocacy Center (YPSAC). The organization also maintains a Client Needs Fund as a financial safety net for clients.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Legal Representation
Quantifiable outcome
- 12,000+ youth represented annually across three California counties
- +7 more outcomes
Companies that use Children's Law Center of California
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Children's Law Center of California technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Children's Law Center of California partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered supporting and core.
- Action Research (evaluation firm)supportingIndependent evaluation firm conducting a 3-year assessment of FSAC's implementation process and impact of services on clients, funded by Doris Duke Foundation.
- Alliance for Children's RightscoreCo-sponsor of multiple pieces of legislation including AB 1080 (Foster Youth Benefits), AB 2478 (Kinship Family Approval), and other child welfare bills. Active legislative coalition partner.
- Children's Advocacy InstitutecoreCo-sponsor of AB 1080, AB 1688, and SB 534. Legislative coalition partner for child welfare system reform bills.
- Children's Legal Services (San Diego)coreCo-sponsor of AB 1080 and AB 2478. Coalition partner for child welfare legislation in California.
- Youth Law CentercoreCo-sponsor of AB 1080 (Foster Youth Benefits). Coalition partner for child welfare legislative advocacy.
- Disability Rights CaliforniacoreCo-sponsor of AB 1099 (Regional Center Fast Track Process for System-Involved Youth).
- Public CounselcoreCo-sponsor of AB 1099. Coalition partner for child welfare legislative advocacy.
- Dependency Legal ServicescoreCo-sponsor of AB 1688 (Notice of Substantiated Allegations), AB 926 (Family Time), AB 2664 (Reunification Services), and AB 1846 (Relative Placement).
- Los Angeles Dependency LawyerscoreCo-sponsor of AB 1688, AB 926, and AB 2664. Local coalition partner for legislative advocacy.
- County Welfare Directors Association of CAcoreCo-sponsor of AB 1846 (Relative Placement) and AB 2478 (Kinship Family Approval).
- CarePortalcoreCommunity platform uniting faith-based communities to meet tangible needs of children and families in crisis. Named CLC's Agency of the Year. Brings resources directly to CLC's clients.
- Ticket to Dream FoundationsupportingIn-kind donor providing support for children in foster care. Honored at 2023 Advocates Gala.
- BÉISsupportingCompany that donated stylish, functional luggage to youth in foster care, restoring dignity during difficult transitions. Honored at 2025 Advocates in Action Gala.
Scale indicators15 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Children's Law Center of California competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- CASA (National Court Appointed Special Advocate Association): National nonprofit network training volunteers to advocate for abused and neglected children in court. Adjacent model (trained lay advocates vs. attorneys) with overlapping foster care client base and shared policy goals in dependency proceedings.
Direct peers
- Youth Law Center: San Francisco-based nonprofit providing legal and policy advocacy for youth in California's foster care and juvenile justice systems. Direct peer in scope and advocacy style; co-sponsors AB 1080 with CLC.
- Los Angeles Dependency Lawyers (LADL): Nonprofit providing court-appointed legal representation for parents and children in LA County dependency proceedings. Local LA peer operating in overlapping courtrooms; co-sponsors child welfare legislation with CLC.
- Dependency Legal Services: California nonprofit providing court-appointed dependency representation for children, often in conflict-of-interest cases. Direct competitor in the court-appointed counsel space; CLC and Dependency Legal Services co-sponsor legislation including AB 1688 and AB 926.
- Public Counsel: Largest pro bono legal services organization in the United States, based in Los Angeles. Provides legal representation to children, families, and underserved communities; co-sponsors child welfare legislation with CLC (AB 1099) and shares the multidisciplinary model.
- Alliance for Children's Rights: Los Angeles-based nonprofit providing legal services and advocacy for children in foster care and dependents of the juvenile court. Most direct comparable in scope, geography, and mission; CLC and Alliance co-sponsor legislation together (AB 1080, AB 2478).
- Children's Advocacy Institute: University of San Diego School of Law-based institute providing advocacy, research, and policy reform for children. Legislative coalition partner with CLC on AB 1080, AB 1688, and SB 534.
- Disability Rights California: California's federally mandated protection and advocacy system for people with disabilities, including system-involved foster youth. Co-sponsor of AB 1099 with CLC; comparable in legal advocacy scope though disability-focused.
Regional players
- Children's Legal Services (San Diego): Government office (San Diego County District Attorney) providing legal representation for children in dependency court in San Diego County. Comparable service model but government-operated; CLC is a legislative coalition partner on AB 1080 and AB 2478.
Broad incumbents
- National Center for Youth Law (NCYL): Oakland-based national nonprofit advancing systemic reform for low-income children through impact litigation, policy, and advocacy. Comparable in mission (child welfare, foster care, juvenile justice) but operates nationally via law reform rather than direct dependency court representation.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Children's Law Center of California social profiles
Digital presenceChildren's Law Center of California financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Children's Law Center of California leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles13 records
Children's Law Center of California funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Children's Law Center of California M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Children's Law Center of California
What does Children's Law Center of California do?
Children's Law Center of California provides court-appointed legal representation for children ages 0-21 in dependency court proceedings across Los Angeles, Sacramento, and Placer counties. The organization uses a multidisciplinary advocacy model combining attorneys, social work investigators, peer advocates with lived foster care experience, mental health specialists, immigration experts, education advocates, and subject matter experts in CSEC, crossover youth, and transition-age youth. Beyond direct representation, CLC engages in legislative advocacy and policy reform, having sponsored over 60 pieces of child welfare legislation since 2002.
Is Children's Law Center of California a public or private company?
Children's Law Center of California is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Children's Law Center of California founded?
Children's Law Center of California was founded in 1990. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is Children's Law Center of California based?
Children's Law Center of California is headquartered in Monterey Park, United States, in the North America region.
How does Children's Law Center of California make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Government Contracts / Court-Appointed Representation is the primary driver. The others are individual and Corporate Donations, cy Pres Awards, foundation Grants and 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization.
Who are Children's Law Center of California's main competitors?
CASA (National Court Appointed Special Advocate Association) is listed as an emerging player. Direct peers are Youth Law Center, Los Angeles Dependency Lawyers (LADL), Dependency Legal Services, Public Counsel, Alliance for Children's Rights, Children's Advocacy Institute and Disability Rights California. Children's Legal Services (San Diego) is listed as a regional player. National Center for Youth Law (NCYL) is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Children's Law Center of California have an API?
No public API is recorded for Children's Law Center of California.
What industry is Children's Law Center of California in?
Children's Law Center of California's product category is Child Welfare Legal Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAEAE, Child Welfare, Foster Care & Adoption Services, with a secondary code of BPAGAEAM, Legal Aid & Client Advocacy Services. Its NAICS code is 54111 and its SIC code is 8111.