UPDATE: A major leadership change has rocked Alameda County’s Court Appointed Attorneys Program as it grapples with a severe attorney shortage. Andrea Zambrana, who previously led the program, is no longer in her position, confirmed the Alameda County Bar Association this week. This shakeup comes amid growing concerns that defendants are facing unacceptable delays in legal representation, with some languishing in Santa Rita Jail for weeks.
The internal announcement of Zambrana’s departure was made on September 10, but the circumstances surrounding her exit remain unclear—bar association leaders did not specify whether she resigned or was dismissed. Zambrana chose not to comment when approached for details.
As the legal crisis unfolds, leadership responsibilities will be divided among three individuals, with Annie Beles stepping in as the interim director. Beles, a veteran attorney known for her extensive experience, will collaborate with Cynthia Chandler, the bar association’s chief operating officer, and Hadassah Hayashi, the CEO, to stabilize the program.
This leadership change coincides with a months-long shortage of attorneys that has left many defendants without representation. Reports indicate that at one point, more than 100 felony defendants were waiting for legal counsel, prompting open complaints in court about the delays. In one troubling instance, a 48-year-old San Leandro man appeared in court four times without seeing an attorney, eventually leading to a $25,000 warrant for his arrest when he missed a fifth hearing.
The ACLU of Northern California has voiced strong criticism of these delays, labeling them a “clear violation of constitutional rights” and exacerbating the cycle of incarceration and injustice. The situation has become so dire that some defendants have accepted jail sentences without consulting with attorneys, raising alarm among legal advocates.
In response, the program has initiated a new campaign dubbed “Operation Clear the Backlog.” This initiative aims to expand the number of attorneys available, with at least a dozen new attorneys currently being vetted for inclusion in the program. So far, at least 10 attorneys have joined the program this year, signaling a potential turnaround in legal support for defendants.
Beles stated that this moment demands “bold action,” emphasizing that “clients cannot wait, and our community cannot wait.” She has temporarily halted the intake of new clients to focus on addressing the backlog and improving case assignments.
Chandler confirmed that the backlog of felony defendants has now been reduced to about 35 individuals, with no remaining backlogs for juvenile or misdemeanor cases. The court has also taken the unusual step of directly appointing attorneys from the bench, a practice typically avoided due to concerns about favoritism. Over the past two months, between seven and ten attorneys have been appointed directly by judges to help address the crisis.
Presiding Judge Thomas Nixon expressed optimism regarding the program’s efforts to increase attorney availability and praised Beles for her well-established reputation among the judges in Alameda County. “We sincerely hope that the experience and dedication she brings will result in substantive improvement in the availability of qualified attorneys,” he stated.
As the situation develops, the community watches closely, hoping for swift improvements in access to legal representation. The urgency of these changes highlights the critical need for effective legal support for the most vulnerable members of society.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
