Dear LACBA members and friends,

This is my final message as president of LACBA as my term ends today. Early in my tenure, I wrote about a looming constitutional crisis and the dire need for attorneys to represent indigent parties in criminal, delinquency, dependency, and civil commitment cases on appeal. I called for attorneys to join the panel for indigent appeals at the California Appellate Project - Los Angeles (CAP-LA) and/or panels for the four projects serving other parts of California. I end my tenure with a renewed call for attorneys to join these panels because, unfortunately, the crisis continues unabated. 

The crisis in a nutshell is that indigent appeals are at an all-time high and the number of panel attorneys handling these cases is at an all-time low. This has caused a large backlog in the processing of these appeals. CAP-LA alone has nearly 1000 indigent appeals that need counsel. It is imperative for the integrity of our criminal justice system that it reach right outcomes in criminal cases, but this is possible only if both sides have access to competent representation.

In addition to providing a public service, there are many benefits to becoming a panel attorney, including:

• Being paid. Many make a living handling these cases full time. Others supplement their regular work with appointed cases as a form of low-bono work. There is no minimum number of cases that panel attorneys must handle.
• Having significant control over work hours with minimal overhead cost. Most of the work is done remotely. The project provides mal-practice insurance for panel members.
• Receiving one on one mentoring and training from seasoned criminal appellate lawyers on staff with the projects.
• Earning credits to satisfy the oral argument and briefing requirements for becoming a certified appellate specialist.
• Expanding your practice and finding a state-wide community of like-minded lawyers.

For more information about this work, check out my article in Los Angeles Lawyer in November 2024 which describes my own experience as a panel attorney.

If interested, you can submit an application through the CAP-LA website or the websites for the other projects. You can also email Jennifer Peabody, Executive Director of CAP-LA, at jp@lacap.com.

It has been my privilege to serve as president. I will continue my involvement with LACBA and hope to see you soon.

 

Be well,

Sarvenaz Bahar
President, 2024-2025
Los Angeles County Bar Association

 

“LACBA always has the right president at the right time and this year was no exception. From the masterful stewardship of the 2025 Wildfire Resources Online Library, enhanced collaboration with affiliated bar associations in California and around the country, and her unwavering support for due process and the rule of law, Naz’s legacy of leadership has made the bar and all of us better – we are grateful for her service.”

Stanley Bissey, LACBA Executive Director & CEO