News & Events

The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit has appointed Amy M. Karlin as Interim Federal Public Defender for the Central District of California, effective October 1, 2019. She will serve until the court appoints a Defender for the vacancy created by outgoing FPD Hilary Potashner, who is leaving to take a position in private practice. Ms. Karlin has worked in the Office of the Federal Public Defender in the Central District since 1990 and was promoted to Directing Attorney of the Southern […]..

Spectrum News 1 article discussing Demond Lagway, an FPD-CDCA client and graduate of the Substance Abuse Treatment and Reentry Program (STAR). View the full article here. LOS ANGELES – Demond Lagway has come a long way from the South Central neighborhood where he grew up and joined the 87 Street Gangster Crips at the age of 12. Lagway says it started at a park, as a place he would escape to, looking for community while his parents struggled with drug addiction. “I grew up with […]..

The South Asian Network’s Spring Soiree is a special evening that brings the greater Los Angeles community together in celebration of the achievements of the South Asian Network (SAN), recognition of leaders in our community, and to raise support for SAN’s important programming. It features a formal reception, awards program, and entertainment. This year, SAN’s Community Solidarity Award will be presented to South Asian American judges who preside on federal and state courts in Southern California. We celebrate their achievements and affirm our support for a fair […]..

Our very own Seema Ahmad is interviewed about the life of a Public Defender, Not as Seen on TV. “The job is raw and real, unlike Hollywood depictions that show these people as either glamorous or bumbling.” The article published at American in Justice is also excerpted below. When you are a federal public defender, sometimes the only things you can do for a client are to stand next to him, bear witness to his struggle and his life, and brace yourself as the criminal […]..

On a January morning, as a federal appropriations lapse threatened to disrupt court operations, Chief Judge Virginia A. Phillips of the Central District of California gathered her senior leaders around a large table in the clerk of court’s office to plan for the impending crisis. She noticed something that she hadn’t before: The court’s senior management team are all women. “I hadn’t looked at the people I work with and thought, ‘Look at all these great women,’” Phillips said. “I focus on the diverse skills […]..

Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr. today announced the appointment of Anne Hwang, the Chief Deputy with the Federal Public Defender’s Office for the Central District of California, as a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge. Anne Hwang, 42, of View Park-Windsor Hills, has been appointed to a judgeship in the Los Angeles County Superior Court. Hwang has been chief deputy federal public defender in the Federal Public Defender’s Office, Central District of California since 2018, where she has served in several positions since 2006, including […]..

The Mendocino County Board of Supervisors announced today that Jeffrey Aaron, Directing Attorney in the Eastern Division of the Office of the Federal Public Defender for the Central District of California, has been appointed as their Public Defender. Mr. Aaron has been a public defender for over 25 years, 10 of which he spent with the FPD-CDCA. The Mendocino County of Board of Supervisors is pleased to announce the appointment of Jeffrey A. Aaron as Mendocino County Public Defender. Mr. Aaron joins the County of […]..

Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr. today announced the appointment of Maria Stratton, the former Federal Public Defender for the Central District of California, as an associate justice to the California Court of Appeal. Maria E. Stratton, 65, of Los Angeles, has been appointed associate justice, Division Eight of the Second District Court of Appeal. Stratton has served as a judge at the Los Angeles County Superior Court since 2006. She served as Federal Public Defender for the Central District of California from 1993 to 2006 […]..

Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr. today announced the appointment of Christopher Dybwad, the Chief Deputy with the Federal Public Defender’s Office for the Central District of California, as a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge. Christopher W. Dybwad, 43, of Los Angeles, has been appointed to a judgeship in the Los Angeles County Superior Court. Dybwad has been chief deputy federal public defender in the Federal Public Defender’s Office, Central District of California since 2014, where he has served in several positions since 2005, including […]..

Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr. today announced the appointment of Stephanie Thornton-Harris, an attorney with the Federal Public Defender’s Office for the Central District of California, as a San Bernardino County Superior Court judge. Stephanie E. Thornton-Harris, 54, of Pasadena, has been appointed to a judgeship in the San Bernardino County Superior Court. Thornton-Harris has served as a deputy federal public defender in the Federal Public Defender’s Office, Central District of California since 2012. She served as a bench officer at the San Bernardino County […]..