LASC’s Appellate Division Seeks Attorneys to Represent Indigent Defendants

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.

"Every defendant, regardless of their financial means, deserves a zealous advocate on appeal. The attorneys who serve on our panel embody that commitment and strengthen the integrity of our justice system,” 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.
• Two recent writing samples. 

Please email the above application materials to: 

         Patti Jo McKay 
         Presiding Judge, Appellate Division 
         Care of Lynette Brooks at LBrooks@lacourt.ca.gov

After a review of the submitted materials, the selected attorneys will be notified by electronic mail. 

About the Superior Court of Los Angeles County

As the largest trial court in the nation, the Superior Court of Los Angeles County serves a population of almost 10 million in 36 courthouses with a jurisdiction covering over 4,000 square miles that includes 88 cities, 140 unincorporated areas and dozens of law enforcement agencies. The Court is steadfast in its mission to serve our community by providing equal access to justice through the fair, timely, and effective resolution of all cases.

For more information on the Court’s current programs and services, follow the Court on X (@LASuperiorCourt), Instagram (@LASuperiorCourt), Threads (@ LASuperiorCourt), or visit the Court’s website, www.LACourt.ca.gov.