Providing Access to Justice by Ensuring Oversight and Quality Control in California’s Appointed Appellate Counsel System.
Announcements
Panel Hourly Rate Increase of $25/Hour – 7/1/2026
The Governor has officially signed the Budget for fiscal year 2026-2027 and it includes the $25/hour increase for panel attorneys. This rate increase is effective for case appointments on or after July 1, 2026 and brings the rates for assisted cases to $145, for independent cases to $155 and for upper tier cases to $165. This is the largest single increase for the panel.
Line 22 (Administrative Tasks) Guideline Change
We are pleased to announce that AIDOAC has approved an increase to the administrative time guideline (Line 22). The new guideline will be 3.0 hours, and it will apply to cases appointed on or after July 1, 2026.
It will operate like any other guideline. It is neither a floor nor a ceiling. An attorney claiming more than 3.0 hours must provide an explanation. As with the other guidelines, even when the claimed amount is at or below the 3.0 guideline, we may inquire as to the tasks involved when the amount claimed seems high for the circumstances of the case. Those circumstances would include but are not limited to such things as how many filings there were, how long the case was pending, the complexity of the compensation claim, whether it was necessary to send the record to the client, etc.
Upcoming MCLE Opportunities
Juvenile Delinquency Appellate Seminar Nov. 5, 2026, from 12:00-1:30 p.m. - Zoom
Hosted by CAPLA
Presented by: Former FDAP Staff Attorney Richard Braucher and SDAP Executive Director Jonathan Grossman
Youth justice is one of the most interesting and rewarding areas of appellate practice. However, much has changed within the last 5 years. Our legislature shut down California’s youth prison system after more than a century of abuse and transferred responsibility for the state’s highest needs youths to the counties. This realignment to the counties resulted in a new statute, Welfare and Institutions Code section 875, whose goal is to reduce incarceration and release youth for treatment in their communities. At the same time, the legislature overhauled the law on transfer to the adult system in Welfare and Institutions Code section 707, intentionally making it more difficult for courts to commit 16 to 17 year old youth to the adult system. However, the changes to section 707 render current law analytically challenging for all participants in the transfer process.
This webinar, presented by juvenile justice experts Richard Braucher and Jonathan Grossman, is a brisk tour of these subjects, designed to rapidly familiarize attorneys with the history of juvenile justice, nuts and bolts of the evolving law, and best practices. Please join us November 5th at noon for this 90 minute presentation with free MCLE credit.
Panel and staff attorneys from all of the appellate projects are welcome and encouraged to attend.
**1.5 hours of MCLE credit will be provided**
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.
Interns 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. 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?
