FRESNO OFFICE
2300 Tulare Street, Suite 330
Fresno, CA 93721
Toll Free: 855-656-4360
TEL: 559-487-5561
FAX: 559-487-5950

SACRAMENTO OFFICE
801 I Street, 3rd floor
Sacramento, CA 95814
Toll Free: 855-328-8339
TEL: 916-498-5700
FAX: 916-498-5710

New CJA Lawyer Development Program

CJA Administrative staff is actively recruiting for applicants and will propose two mentees to receive a one year $2500 Judicial Advisory Committee grant when approved as a CJA Developmental Lawyer Mentee.

CJA Developmental Panel Objective:

To provide a structured and compensated federal criminal practice opportunity to attorneys (a) who reflect the diverse legal and regional communities the Criminal Justice Act (CJA) serves in California’s Eastern District, and (b) who do not have the requisite experience for membership on a Criminal Justice Act (CJA) Panel, with the goal of creating a pathway onto the CJA panel.

Status Quo:

Testimony before the Cardone Committee highlighted the need for diverse legal representation, stating, “Defense representation is more effective when performed by ‘individuals from diverse backgrounds with sharp minds, powerful life experience, and innovative ideas.’” Aside from the crucial role race, ethnicity, gender, and age play in the workforce, creating and maintaining CJA Panel diversity is a goal outlined in the Eastern District of California Criminal Justice Plan (CJA Plan). (CAE General Order 582: The Criminal Justice Act Plan for the Eastern District (CJA Plan-CAE), Section VIII(B)(1). http://www.caed.uscourts.gov/caednew/assets/File/GO%20582.pdf)


The Eastern District CJA Plan encourages using associate attorneys, consistent with The Guide to Judiciary Policy (G2JP), (Vol.7, Part A, Chap.2, § 230.53.10 Compensation of Co-Counsel without Separate Appointment. http://www.uscourts.gov/rules-policies/judiciary-policies/cja-guidelines/chapter-2-ss-230-compensation-and-expenses) to assist with representation upon the presiding judge’s prior approval. (CJA Plan-CAE, Section XIII (D))

Introduction:

The FD-CAE’s CJA Panel Administrative staff and an Assistant Federal Defender designated by the Federal Defender for this purpose (“Program Coordinators”) will administer the CJA Developmental Panel Program. The idea is to invite attorneys who do not have the requisite experience to be CJA Panel members to apply and be chosen to learn from CJA Panel members and Federal Defender’s Office staff and subsequently assist CJA Panel attorneys in an associate capacity.

Program Details:

The Developmental Panel is a two-phase program, which will consist of 1-2 mentors and 1-2 mentees. Mentees will be selected through an annual application process, be approved by the Judicial Advisory Committee, and receive a $2,500 grant from JAC’s non-appropriated fund for their participation.


Mentees will be required to complete 40 hours of structured criminal defense training in Phase 1. Upon completion, mentees will graduate to Phase 2, where they will be assigned a panel attorney and provide CJA services in a paid associate counsel capacity.


CJA Developmental Panel Program


CJA Developmental Program Application


To apply, email your completed Program Application to kurt_heiser@fd.org