Comprehensive Profile
Company Overview
Name: Law Offices of the Los Angeles County Alternate Public Defender
Website: [apd.lacounty.gov](https://apd.lacounty.gov)
Location: 210 West Temple Street Suite 18-709, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Phone: (213) 974-6626
Establishment: 1993
The Law Offices of the Los Angeles County Alternate Public Defender provides high-quality criminal defense to indigent individuals in situations where the Public Defender's Office encounters a conflict. Its mission is deeply rooted in social justice, aiming to ensure equitable legal representation for those unable to afford private counsel.
Leadership and Key Personnel
- Erika Anzoátegui:
- Position: Alternate Public Defender
- Background: A native of South Los Angeles, Erika began her career in 1997 as a misdemeanor trial attorney with the Los Angeles Public Defender Office. Appointed as the third Alternate Public Defender in 2019 by the Board of Supervisors, Erika exemplifies leadership through a commitment to delivering exemplary legal defense with zealous advocacy.
- Education and Early Career: Erika's career is built on substantial trial work and leadership within the public defense sector.
- Melissa Diaz:
- Role: Deputy Alternate Public Defender
- Education: Loyola Law School, Los Angeles
- Notable Experience: Engages extensively in criminal defense, reflecting the office's commitment to managing cases in conflict with the Public Defender's Office.
- Firass Halawi:
- Role: Deputy Alternate Public Defender
- Specialization: A first-generation Arabic-speaking lawyer with significant jury trial experience underscoring the office's diverse and inclusive advocacy efforts.
- Kelly Dreher:
- Role: Deputy Alternate Public Defender
- Educational Honors: Part of the Jacobson Leadership Program in Law and Business, illustrating the integration of leadership aptitude with legal expertise.
Organizational Strengths and Programs
The Law Offices of the Los Angeles County Alternate Public Defender prides itself on a strategic focus on diversity, social justice, and racial equality, emphasizing the employment of dedicated advocates. Unique programs include human trafficking diversion initiatives and participation in specialty courts offering comprehensive defense solutions focused on drug rehabilitation and mental health.
The APD Law Clerk Program is dedicated to training law students, fostering advocates proficient in public defense while maintaining a socially conscious perspective. The office's approach goes beyond the traditional courtroom settings by addressing socio-economic disparities within the criminal justice system.
Competitor Analysis
Key Competitors:
The Law Offices of the Los Angeles County Alternate Public Defender faces competition from various local and national law firms focused on criminal defense and advocacy for underserved communities. Notable competitors include:
- HLAI
- Delaware Law Firms: Connolly Gallagher, LLP, and Morris James LLP
- Law Offices of Earl Carter & Associates: Known for expansive criminal and DUI defense services across California
Services and Offerings
The office offers extensive legal defense services, including:
- Representation for those accused of criminal activities who cannot access private legal assistance.
- Internship Programs for cultivating future public defenders by immersing law students in practical and challenging legal environments.
- Assistance with reducing or expunging convictions and guiding individuals through the criminal justice process.
Technology and Innovations
The office is committed to leveraging technology for improved case management and client interactions, drawing parallels to competitors such as International Litigation Services (ILS), which utilizes advanced AI and analytics for eDiscovery.
Strategic Insights
Potential collaborative strategies should focus on the office's resource constraints and dedication to indigent defense. Proposals that enhance legal service delivery or support advocacy efforts for the disadvantaged would prove particularly valuable. Highlighting technologies or synergies that offer cost-efficiency and exceptional outcomes aligns with the office's overarching mission.
Professional Development Opportunities
There's a pronounced emphasis on professional growth through internships and clerkship programs, suggesting possible collaborations with educational institutions or legal training platforms. Strengthening their educational forecast could solidify their position as a premier public defense entity.
