LASC Appellate Division seeks attorneys

 

Superior Court of Los Angeles County’s Appellate Division Seeks Attorneys to Represent Indigent Defendants Appellate Division’s Panel of Appointed Attorneys Provide Access to Justice to the Most Vulnerable Litigants The Superior Court of Los Angeles County’s Appellate Division is seeking qualified attorneys to represent indigent defendants. Willing attorneys who are approved to serve on the Appellate Division’s panel provide access to justice to some of the most vulnerable litigants by representing indigent defendants who seek to appeal judgments rendered in misdemeanor cases. The Appellate Division is continually seeking experienced attorneys who are willing to serve on the Appellate Division’s Panel of Appointed Attorneys. “The 14th Amendment demands equal legal representation for both rich and poor at every significant stage of a case, including on appeal,” said Presiding Judge of the Appellate Division Patti Jo McKay. APPOINTED ATTORNEYS: Upon Appellate Division approval, appointed attorneys are compensated by the Professional Appointee Court Expenditure (PACE) program at a rate of $100/hour and are appointed to represent indigent defendants via an alphabetical rotation process. Occasionally, and in the interest of judicial economy and efficiency, an attorney may be appointed out of order when there is a related pending appeal for the same defendant. PREREQUISITES: Attorneys interested in an appointment to represent indigent defendants are required to: Be a member in good standing of the California State Bar. Possess strong research and writing skills. Have an understanding of criminal law and procedure. Be familiar with the appeals process, including the California Rules of Court and the Superior Court of Los Angeles County’s Local Rules governing misdemeanor appeals. Commit to adhering to the PACE policies and protocols. Consent to electronically receiving criminal appeals and appellate documents, including the Record on Appeal, in an electronic format. APPLICATION MATERIALS: Attorneys who meet the prerequisites should prepare the following: A cover letter detailing their education, training and experience in handling criminal law cases, including jury and court trials, and appeals; A current resume with references; and Two recent writing samples. Please electronically send the above application materials to: Patti Jo McKay, Presiding Judge, Appellate Division Care of Lynette Brooks at LBrooks@lacourt.org.