Appellate Defender

Dan Yuhas
Adjunct Professor

The Office of the State Appellate Defender represents indigent citizens in criminal appeals. Illinois' appellate defender office is particularly distinguished. The office was the first statewide appellate defender program established in the United States, and has won the Clara Shortridge Foltz Award from the American Bar Association for outstanding achievements in providing criminal defense services. In addition to representing clients in the Illinois courts, the office has obtained relief for its clients in six cases argued before the United States Supreme Court.

Attorneys from the Fourth District Office of the State Appellate Defender supervise law students preparing criminal appeals for clients of the office. Each student receives a 300-700 page transcript in a felony jury trial and prepares an appellate brief in the case. Each student's work includes drafting the Statement of Facts for the brief, as well as researching and drafting the Argument section of the brief. Oral Argument in these cases are often held at the College of Law Building.