Pacific Legal Foundation

What Pacific Legal Foundation does

Pacific Legal Foundation (PLF) is a nonprofit public interest law firm founded in 1973 and based in Sacramento, California. It represents people free of charge when it believes government overreach threatens their liberties. Much of its work centers on property rights and on limits to the power of regulatory agencies (administrative law).

PLF says it represents hundreds of Americans every year. It describes them as people trying to improve their lives who are blocked by government. Over five decades it has brought 21 cases to the U.S. Supreme Court and won 18, including landmark cases in property rights and administrative law. Supreme Court clients featured on its website include Rose Knick, from Knick v. Township of Scott, Pennsylvania, and Wil Wilkins, from Wilkins v. United States.

PLF is a 501(c)(3), and contributions are tax-deductible. In the fiscal year ending June 2024 it reported about $47.9 million in revenue and $27.0 million in expenses. Charity Navigator gives it a four-star rating out of four.

Key facts

• Has brought 21 cases to the U.S. Supreme Court and won 18 over its 50 years (PLF)
• Represents hundreds of Americans each year, free of charge (PLF)
• Supreme Court clients featured on its site include Rose Knick (Knick v. Township of Scott, Pennsylvania) and Wil Wilkins (Wilkins v. United States) (PLF)
• About $47.9 million in revenue and $27.0 million in expenses in the fiscal year ending June 2024 (ProPublica)

Before you give

• PLF's donation page says contributions are deductible to the fullest extent provided by tax laws and lists federal ID 94-2197343.
• PLF accepts checks, gifts of stock or mutual fund shares, bequests, and IRA qualified charitable distributions (age 70½+). Mail to 555 Capitol Mall, Suite 1290, Sacramento, CA 95814.