Appellate Law

Public Counsel's Appellate Law Program helps pro se litigants better represent themselves in their civil matters and provides pro bono representation in selected cases. The Program thereby increases access to justice and improves efficiency in the courts. The Program operates two clinics, one for civil appeals and one for federal district court cases. Read More

Contact Information

For the location and hours of the Federal pro se walk-in clinic, click here.

For the location and hours of the Self-Help Appellate walk-in clinic, click here.

For more information about the Appellate Law Program, please call:

(213) 385-2977 x 151

News
Publications
Video
Seminars & Clinics
Useful Materials

Federal Pro Se Clinic - Forms and Guides
Bank of America Puts Its Legal Skills to Work for People in Federal Court Bank of America has put its legal expertise to work for people who are unrepresented in federal court -- and made a strong pro bono commitment.
Super Lawyers Spotlights Attorney's Work for Public Counsel Clients Appellate attorney David Ettinger is devoted to combating barriers for litigants who can’t afford to pay high fees to have their day in court. His work with Public Counsel was featured in the 2013 Southern California Super Lawyers magazine.
Get Public Counsel's 2011-2012 Annual Report More cases, more impact, more amazing stories. Get the full story in Public Counsel's 2011-2012 Annual Report.
'We Are Public Counsel': Snapshots from the 2011 Pro Bono Awards Public Counsel celebrates the attorneys and professionals who helped us provide free legal help and change thousands of lives. "Our honorees are talented attorneys and professionals and they are making our city and nation a better place to live," said President and CEO Hernan Vera.
Peace and Quiet at Last for Tenant Sued by Neighbor Victor had lived in his apartment building for over a decade when new neighbors moved into the unit below his. After he complained about the noise and disturbance caused by these neighbors, the neighbors sued him in federal court. Without money to pay an attorney, Victor was on the verge of losing the lawsuit by default when he arrived at Public Counsel's Proskauer Federal Pro Se Clinic.
Homeless Man Faced with Navigating the Appeals System to Get His House Back Mr. Pilar was rendered homeless and was forced to live out of his car when someone forged a signature purporting to transfer his house to another person. Mr. Pilar filed a handwritten complaint in Los Angeles Superior Court. The court dismissed the lawsuit, saying Mr. Pilar did not adequately explain why he was entitled to relief. Mr. Pilar appealed, with assistance from Public Counsel's Appellate Law Program.
Daily Journal: Litigators take up the fight for state court funds Public Counsel is part of a major new effort to protect California courts from cuts that hurt the public.
The High Price of Court Reporters Appellate lawyers throughout the state, including Public Counsel's Lisa Jaskol, are urging the California Supreme Court to crack down on court reporters who overcharge for their transcripts.
No Threat to FEHA Fees Contrary to what many employers' counsel predict, Chavez v. City of Los Angeles is likely to have a limited impact on attorney fee awards, writes Lisa Jaskol of Public Counsel.
Appellate Clinic Guides Hundreds Public Counsel's one-of-a-kind program at the 2nd District Court of Appeal has been quietly helping those who can't afford representation seek justice at the appellate level.

A New Public-Interest Appellate Model Public Counsel's court-based self-help clinic and pro bono "triage" for indigent pro se civil litigants on appeal. Authored by Meehan Rasch and published in The Journal of Appellate Practice and Process.
Public Counsel Federal Pro Se Clinic Annual Report 2009-2010 The Clinic offers free legal assistance to pro se litigants with civil cases in federal court. Located on-site in the Central District's U.S. Courthouse, the Clinic is equipped to provide meaningful legal assistance to pro se litigants, with services ranging from identifying the next procedural step in a case to drafting pleadings for indigent litigants with meritorious claims.
Evaluating Appeals - Volunteer Opportunity This document describes what Public Counsel asks of an attorney who agrees to volunteer to evaluate an appeal for our Appellate Law Program.

Appellate Self Help Clinic Public Counsel's Appellate Self Help Clinic helps pro se litigants represent themselves in civil appellate matters
Proskauer Federal Pro Se Clinic Public Counsel's Proskauer Federal Pro Se Clinic assists unrepresented litigants in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.