Providing Access to Justice by Ensuring Oversight and Quality Control in California’s Appointed Appellate Counsel System.
Announcements
Guidance for using AI in the Practice of Law
› Second Appellate District Guidance on the use of AI:
If considering whether AI tools like ChatGPT can help with your court case, please visit the Second Appellate District’s “Using AI?” page to help use these tools safely and effectively. Generative AI is a tool that can help you write or explain things, but it can make mistakes. Use it carefully—especially for legal issues.
› CALBAR Guidance on the Ethical use of AI:
As the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the practice of law becomes more frequent, attorneys have questions about how this can ethically be done. To help answer some of these questions, the California State Bar Committee on Professional Responsibility & Conduct has created guidelines to help navigate ethical issues.
Expand Your Practice – Capital Appointments Available
The California Supreme Court is recruiting counsel for capital appeals. These cases are challenging, analytically rich, and fully supported by CAP-SF consultation at every stage.
👉 Recruitment announcement and how to apply.
Upcoming MCLE Opportunities
CAP-LA Appellate Practice Selected Topics – Jan. 20, 2026 (In-person/Zoom)
Presented by CAP-LA Staff Attorneys
8:45 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. with two short breaks and a lunch break. Coffee, tea, water, and snack to be provided for in-person attendees.
Join CAP-LA at the beautiful DTLA California Endowment’s conference center, Located at 1000 North Alameda Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012, Phone (213) 928-8900 – Conveniently located across the street from Union Station. FREE ONSITE PARKING!
Registration links are live!
IN PERSON ATTENDANCE IS ENCOURAGED – SPACE IS LIMITED!
Topics will include:
- Recently Decided Cases and Cases Pending Review
- Lesser Included Offenses
- Guilty Plea Cases
- Compassion Fatigue
- Ethical Use of Unpublished Opinions (30 min.)
- Ethical Use of AI Update (30 min.)
*Approximately 5 hours of MCLE credit to be provided, including 1.0 hour of Ethics and 1.0 hour of Wellness Competency.
Summer Internship Opportunities
CAP-LA is looking for rising 2L or 3L students with a strong interest in social justice, criminal defense, juvenile delinquency, or juvenile dependency law.
Up to four (4) summer interns in this 10-week, full-time internship will gain hands-on experience in appellate criminal defense and juvenile law. Working closely with staff attorneys, interns will review case records, draft legal memoranda, and contribute to active appellate cases, including writing an opening brief under supervision. The hybrid program includes in-person work at our downtown Los Angeles office and opportunities to observe both appellate and trial-level proceedings. This is an ideal opportunity for law students seeking practical experience in appellate work while deepening their understanding of the criminal justice and juvenile systems.
Applicants should have:
- Excellent legal research and writing skills,
- Strong attention to detail and ability to work independently,
- Ability to work collaboratively in a hybrid office environment, and
- Demonstrated commitment to criminal justice, indigent defense, and/or the rights of parents and children.
Attorneys Wanted
Join the Panel for Indigent Representation with Flexibility and Impact!
- Are you passionate about justice and ensuring fair legal representation for all?
- Are you a new attorney looking to start an appellate career with training opportunities and case assistance?
- Are you a seasoned attorney looking to shift gears and bring your expertise to a more flexible and fulfilling practice?
