The Appellate Advocacy and Legal Research Division provides direct representation to clients on appeal when the Circuit Public Defenders have a conflict. Additionally the Division has primary responsibility for appellate litigation, both adult and juvenile, and legal research throughout the state. We assist public defenders and conflict defenders in our circuits with all stages of litigation--from case planning to research to brief-writing-- and serve as a reference source for defense counsel with substantive or procedural questions.

We do not offer any representation in civil, habeas corpus, or federal cases.

Purposes:
To provide quality legal advocacy for indigent clients; to better identify the research needs of public defenders and to respond with superior resources; and to maximize the possibility of successful appellate litigation by planning for and steering appellate advocacy in a statewide system. In order to realize these goals, the Division works diligently to:

• Provide direct representation where a conflict with the Circuit Public Defender Office has been established.
• Offer consultation with both trial and appellate counsel in Circuit Public Defender Offices and for conflict defenders.
• Assist circuit public defender offices and conflict defenders with direct appeals, from case-planning to brief-writing.
• Track important appellate cases and issues statewide.
• Provide superior online research resources, including a brief bank.
• Direct and coordinate appellate litigation by filing cert petitions and amicus briefs where appropriate.
• Assist the Training Division by co-sponsoring seminars on appellate practice and procedure and developments in the appellate courts.

	Resources Brief Bank Index Appellate Forms Appellate Manual Table of Contents Useful Links

Contact us:
Appeals Division
Georgia Public Defender Standards Council
225 Peachtree Street, NE
Suite 900, South Tower
Atlanta, GA 30303
Tel 404-739-5151
Fax 404-739-5155

Contact us:

Jimmonique R.S. Rodgers
Director, Appellate Division

James C. Bonner, Jr.
Appellate Senior Staff Attorney

Cindy Wang
Appellate Senior Staff Attorney

Tracy Anderson
Paralegal
404-739-5178