Providing Access to Justice by Ensuring Oversight and Quality Control in California’s Appointed Appellate Counsel System.

Announcements

The State Bar is Seeking Attorney and Non-Attorney Members

The Committee on Professional Responsibility and Conduct is currently seeking applications for the following vacancies:
2 Attorney Members & 1 Non Attorney Public Member

To apply, please visit the State Bar’s online application portal, select the committee from the left-hand menu, and click the “Apply for membership” in the top right corner. For more information about the committee, refer to the linked committee webpage in the profile description.

Application deadline: March 31, 2026, 5:00 p.m.

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.

Upcoming MCLE Opportunities

Introduction to Civil Commitment Appeals - March 4, 2026, 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. - Zoom

Presented jointly by staff attorneys from ADI, CAP-LA, CCAP, FDAP and SDAP. 

Join us for an overview of civil commitment appeals.  Please attend if you want to learn about this interesting and rewarding area of appellate practice and/or are interested in expanding your practice to include these cases.

*1.0 hour of general MCLE credit, 1.0 hour of Appellate Specialization credit, and 1.0 hour of Criminal Specialization credit is offered.*

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?