Jonathan Steiner, Executive Director, California Appellate Project - Los Angeles

This is an overview of the history of the California Court of Appeal's system of appointing appellate counsel for indigents. It explains how the system has evolved since the 1960s, when there was little quality control, to the present day, where there are statewide guidelines and organizations such as the California Appellate Project and Appellate Defenders, Inc. to ensure quality representation. It also acknowledges the hard work of the attorneys who take appointments from the court and the justices who have supported the system.