How to Become a Panel Attorney
ADI accepts applications year-round for our panels. We value quality applicants who have a demonstrated dedication to indigent defense work, strong writing skills, and a willingness to be a zealous advocate for clients.
Panel attorneys represent indigent criminal, delinquency, dependency, and mental health clients in all counties in the Fourth Appellate District.
Benefits of Panel Attorney Work
- Flexibility in schedule and number of cases accepted.
- Personal fulfillment in advocating for clients who would otherwise not have a voice in the legal system.
- Honing your legal writing, analytic, and oral argument skills with feedback from experienced attorneys in your selected area of law.
Applying to the Panel
ADI regularly accepts applications for both our criminal and dependency panels.
We value quality applicants who have a demonstrated dedication to indigent defense work, strong writing skills, and a willingness to be a zealous advocate for clients. Factors considered in evaluating an applicant are as follows:
- Demonstrated interest in indigent criminal, juvenile delinquency, juvenile dependency, or mental health defense.
- Promising writing, research, and analytical skills demonstrated through submission of two writing samples.
- Prior experience in criminal, juvenile delinquency, or mental health law.
Interested applicants are invited to apply for admission to our criminal and/or dependency panels.
To learn more about becoming a panel attorney, click the link below to contact us.
Law School Experience to Prepare for Panel Work
- Criminal or juvenile law advanced classes and clinics
- Moot court competitions
- Public defender internships
- Court of Appeal externships: An externship allows a student to earn school credit, either during the school year or the summer, by participating in full time or part time work at an appellate court instead of carrying a class schedule. Check with your school whether it supports such an arrangement. Most Courts of Appeal offer externships, including the Fourth District; review the relevant websites for more information.
More Information
- ADI’s Appellate Practice Manual
- ADI’s Roadmap to Resources
- Statewide organization for appellate defense attorneys: California Appellate Defense Counsel
- One-page summary of panel structure and work benefits: Panel Project Summary
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