The Dependency Legal Group of San Diego, which is responsible for representation of dependency parties in the juvenile court, is working with ADI to assign ADI panel attorneys to handle writs in the Court of Appeal during fiscal year July 1, 2011-June 30, 2012. (DLG will remain counsel of record and associate the writ attorneys.) This web page describes some of the key aspects of the ADI-DLG writ program.
The contents of this web page include:
SOME BASICS
KEY DOCUMENTS
KEY LINKS
DLG CONTACT INFORMATION: OFFICES, SUPERVISORS, ADDRESSES, PHONES
SOME BASICS
Types of writs: For the most part the writs referred to here are those under Welfare and Institutions Code section 366.26 or 366.28, but on occasion DLG may wish to associate counsel for a non-statutory writ, such as mandate.
Types of assignments: Most of the attorney assignments under this program will be for petitioners, but counsel for real parties will be required in some cases. DLG will notify ADI if it determines minor's counsel will be needed.
Counsel’s responsibilities: DLG will remain counsel of record through the writ proceeding and associate the panel attorney. The panel attorney will handle all aspects of the writ proceeding in the Court of Appeal and normally handle any services needed in the Supreme Court. This includes all filings and appearances.
ADI’s role: ADI will perform only the administrative function of selecting counsel and a limited consultative role after that. It will not make any final decisions, filings, or appearances in these cases. Its role differs from appeals in some ways: writs will be independent only, not assisted; ADI will not routinely do Sade C.-type of reviews; ADI will not make claim recommendations or be involved in compensation in any way. It will review filings for internal quality control.
Record: For statutory writs a normal record will be prepared under rule 8.450(g) or 8.454(h). The panel attorney may seek augmentation or correction under rule 8.452(e) or 8.456(e).
Principal filings: Petitioners normally will file either a petition, or if they find no issues, a no-issue letter. Other parties will file responses. More specifics are under “Principal filings” in Typical Dependency Writ.
Writ petition template: WordPerfect Word PDF
No-issue letter template: WordPerfect Word PDF
Compensation: DLG will compensate the panel attorney, as described in Typical Dependency Writ. Invoice forms are provided:
Professional liability insurance: All panel attorneys must have malpractice coverage for these cases. ADI has made arrangements with its insurer to provide such coverage.
TYPICAL DEPENDENCY WRIT
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