New to the Ninth Circuit? New to appellate work in general? The Appellate Mentoring Program is a new service offered by the Ninth Circuit that pairs volunteer mentors with those in need - whether they be new to the practice of law or simply rusty at appellate work.

Though the program will provide general assistance in appellate practice, there will be an emphasis on habeas corpus petitions and immigration law. Mentors must have experience in immigration, habeas petitions, and/or general appellate practice.

Requests for mentoring should be sent to mentoring@ca9.uscourts.gov.

And of course, because we are all lawyers, “[b]y participating in the program, the mentee agrees that the mentor shall not be liable for any suggestions made. In all events, the mentee is deemed to waive and is estopped from asserting any claim for legal malpractice against the mentor.”

Jokes aside, this sounds like a pretty promising program. Not only will it keep the judges from self-immolating after reading hundreds of terribly-written and unorganized briefs, it will help the clients as well. Mentorship and professional development should lead to better representation of the interests of the clients.

Related Resources:

  • Why is Judge Richard Cebull Retiring? (FindLaw’s Ninth Circuit Blog)
  • Ninth Circuit Judges Head Back to Hawaii for Hearings (FindLaw’s Ninth Circuit Blog)
  • What’s Up With the Ninth Circuit’s Giant Case Font? (FindLaw’s Ninth Circuit Blog)

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