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theappellateproj.bsky.social
The Appellate Project
@theappellateproj.bsky.social
380 followers 750 following 620 posts
A nonprofit organization fostering emerging leaders as they build a more just and representative appellate field.

Learn more at http://theappellateproject.org
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theappellateproj.bsky.social
State supreme courts often provide the final word on cases affecting families, workers, and communities across the country. When these benches don't reflect the people they serve, critical perspectives are missing from decisions that shape daily life.
A graphic from The Appellate Project on a textured pink and dark red background. At the top is The Appellate Project logo. Large, bold text reads: “Across all 50 states and DC, 21 percent of state supreme court seats are held by people of color.” Below, on a dark red background, smaller bold text reads: “Nationwide, people of color make up more than 37 percent of the population.” At the bottom, a source line reads: “Source: Brennan Center for Justice, ‘State Supreme Court Diversity — November 2025 Update.’”
February 4, 2026 at 5:25 PM
theappellateproj.bsky.social
Transforming who sits on our appellate benches isn't just about fairness—it's about the quality and legitimacy of our legal system itself.
A red textured background graphic from The Appellate Project. At the top is The Appellate Project logo in white. Large quotation marks appear on the left, followed by white and light blue text that reads: “Appellate courts shape the laws that touch every aspect of our lives, yet the voices of those most impacted are too often missing.” A white arrow points to the right near the bottom. At the lower left, smaller light blue text reads: “Juvaria S. Khan, Founder & CEO of The Appellate Project.”
January 16, 2026 at 2:00 PM
Reposted by The Appellate Project
acslaw.bsky.social
Join ACS and @theappellateproj.bsky.social for a panel discussion designed for law students of color and first-generation law students that will demystify judicial clerkships and highlight them as an attainable pathway.

Register here: getinvolved.acslaw.org/component/ev...
January 13, 2026 at 5:02 PM
theappellateproj.bsky.social
Aspiring appellate leaders, especially those who are first-generation or from underrepresented backgrounds, often face gaps in obtaining:
Graphic from The Appellate Project with a light textured background. Centered text reads: “We’re working toward an appellate system where the advocates, judges, and rulings from our highest courts reflect the communities they most impact.” Below, in red script text, it says, “Learn more about how our program pillars support this vision,” with a red arrow pointing right. Along the bottom are abstract geometric shapes in muted blue, red, gray, and pink, suggesting different program pillars.
January 13, 2026 at 3:26 PM
theappellateproj.bsky.social
Too often, access to appellate law can depend on who you know rather than what you can do, leaving talented law students and early career lawyers with appellate aspirations on the outside looking in.
A blue graphic from The Appellate Project with the organization’s logo at the top. Large text reads, “What We Believe: Opportunity should be based on hard work and ability, not insider connections.” Below, smaller text says, “TAP works to expand access for students who may lack traditional pathways into appellate law but have the talent and drive to lead.” The bottom of the image features abstract design elements, including a mosaic of blue squares, a grayscale close-up of part of a person’s face, and soft pink and blue shapes layered with handwritten-style texture.
January 9, 2026 at 3:07 PM
theappellateproj.bsky.social
TAP is searching for our next legal intern for a paid, remote position!

This isn't your traditional legal internship. This is a hands-on opportunity in a start-up nonprofit environment to use your legal research skills in non-traditional ways.
A square graphic with a textured red background and a layered white card in the center. Large navy text at the top reads, “WE’RE HIRING.” Below, smaller navy text says, “The Appellate Project is seeking a paid, remote Legal Intern to join our team.” On the right side of the card, a large blue arrow points left toward the text. In the top right corner is The Appellate Project’s circular logo with a stylized white column icon on a dark blue background.
January 7, 2026 at 6:30 PM
theappellateproj.bsky.social
Demystifying the appellate field is crucial to providing a new generation of appellate leaders access to these elite legal spaces.
Without access to mentorship, community, and insider knowledge, appellate law can feel opaque and impenetrable to those on the outside.
A graphic from The Appellate Project with a dark blue textured background. At the top is The Appellate Project logo and name. Large text reads, “WHAT WE BELIEVE:” followed by “Demystifying the appellate field matters.” Below, smaller text says, “You don’t know what you don’t know. Appellate law can feel inaccessible. TAP provides mentorship, community, and tools that make elite legal spaces more navigable and welcoming.” Along the bottom are three collage-style images: a black-and-white close-up of a person’s face, a classical courthouse with columns, and a blue abstract graphic with a plus sign.
January 6, 2026 at 2:45 PM
theappellateproj.bsky.social
At The Appellate Project (TAP), we believe justice depends on representation.
A coral-orange graphic from The Appellate Project with textured background. At the top is The Appellate Project logo and name. Centered text reads: “WHAT WE BELIEVE: Justice depends on representation. Our highest courts should reflect the communities they impact. Diverse voices strengthen legal decisions and public trust in the judiciary.” Along the bottom are layered visual elements: black-and-white cropped portraits of two women’s faces on the left and right edges, and a central abstract icon of four overlapping, rounded human figures in muted pink, red, and blue tones, symbolizing community and diversity. Subtle line drawings and geometric accents appear in the background.
January 5, 2026 at 12:05 PM
theappellateproj.bsky.social
TAP’s most popular resource of 2025? State Court Clerkship Myths, Debunked.
A branded graphic from The Appellate Project on a light, textured off-white background. At the top is The Appellate Project logo, followed by the headline in large red text: “TAP’s Top Resources in 2025:”. Centered below is an image of a light blue booklet or report cover with the title “State Court Clerkship Myths Debunked,” with the word “DEBUNKED” emphasized in bold blue text. The Appellate Project logo appears at the bottom of the booklet cover. Beneath the booklet image, large dark blue text reads: “STATE COURT CLERKSHIP MYTHS, DEBUNKED.” At the bottom of the graphic, smaller italicized text says: “State court clerkships aren’t a backup plan—they’re a launchpad.”
January 2, 2026 at 7:22 PM
theappellateproj.bsky.social
Next on the list of TAP’s most popular resources of 2025: our dive into the facts and figures of the current state of representation in our highest courts.
A square graphic from The Appellate Project on a light, textured gray background. At the top is The Appellate Project logo and name. Large red text reads, “TAP’s Top Resources in 2025:”. Centered below is an image of a bronze statue of Lady Justice holding a sword in her right hand and scales in her left, set against an orange background with faint script from the U.S. Constitution. A bold, hand-drawn blue outline traces around the statue and sword, creating a graphic highlight effect. Beneath the image, large dark blue text reads, “5 Statistics That Explain Why TAP Exists.” At the bottom, smaller italic text reads, “Representation in our highest courts is essential to the pursuit of justice.”
December 29, 2025 at 9:52 PM
theappellateproj.bsky.social
To close out the year, we’re resharing our most popular resources of 2025.

Coming in at #3 is our law school roadmap, preparing students for appellate practice.
A square graphic with a light gray textured background. At the top is The Appellate Project logo and name in dark blue. Below it, large red text reads, “TAP’s Top Resources in 2025:”. Centered beneath the heading is an image of a stack of hardcover law books, outlined in red, set against a blue background featuring faint script from the U.S. Constitution, including the words “We the People.” At the bottom of the graphic, bold dark blue text reads, “Your Law School Roadmap: What to Do During 1L, 2L, and 3L to Prepare for Appellate Practice.”
December 26, 2025 at 5:46 PM
theappellateproj.bsky.social
The appellate system reaches into nearly every aspect of daily life—shaping how constitutional rights are protected, how criminal justice operates, what healthcare access looks like, how voting rights are enforced, and more.
Graphic with a dark blue background showing blurred classical courthouse columns. Centered at the top, large white text reads: “Areas impacted by appellate court decisions:”. Below, a scattered grid of light blue square icons appears next to white, all-caps labels naming issue areas affected by appellate courts. The labels read: “Constitutional Rights,” “Employment,” “Education,” “Freedom of Speech,” “LGBTQ+ Rights,” “Gun Rights,” and “Technology” on the left side; and “Environmental Protection,” “Economic Regulation,” “Health Care,” “Housing,” “Immigration,” “Privacy,” “Religious Freedom,” “Voting Rights,” and “Criminal Justice” on the right side. Each label is paired with a small blue square, visually suggesting a checklist or category markers.
December 19, 2025 at 8:27 PM
theappellateproj.bsky.social
In her recent ABA Sound Advice interview with TAP alum and host Damonta Morgan, our Founder and CEO Juvaria Khan spoke about what legal professionals can do right now to keep equity work moving forward, especially when navigating an environment that feels more uncertain than it did a few years ago.
Light blue textured background with The Appellate Project logo at the top. Large pale pink quotation marks appear on the left. Bold navy and coral text reads: “We do not believe that having representation in our highest courts is a political issue. It’s a common sense issue. It’s a DEMOCRACY ISSUE.” The final phrase “DEMOCRACY ISSUE” is in all caps and coral. At the bottom, smaller italic text reads: “Juvaria S. Khan, Founder & CEO of The Appellate Project.”
December 17, 2025 at 6:56 PM
theappellateproj.bsky.social
Our theory of change is straightforward: lasting change starts with opening doors and ensuring people have the tools and support to walk through them.
A blue textured graphic with The Appellate Project logo and name centered at the top. Large white text reads, “By diversifying the makeup of our highest courts, we can create stronger, fairer, and more just legal outcomes for all communities.” Along the bottom edge of the image is a row of stylized, faceless human silhouettes in different colors, including light pink, blue, dark navy, maroon, light blue, orange, and white, representing diversity among people.
December 15, 2025 at 7:47 PM
theappellateproj.bsky.social
Representation at every level strengthens our legal institutions. It deepens public trust and expands access to justice. And it's essential to a healthy democracy—ensuring our courts better serve and include the full diversity of our nation.
Graphic for The Appellate Project featuring a quote from Justin Lam. The background is a dark blue textured design with The Appellate Project’s white logo and name centered at the top. Large white and pink text takes up the left two-thirds of the image. The quote reads: “Representation matters—within the Asian Pacific American community and across our multiracial democracy. I came to the law to advance equity […] and through appellate work I’ve found meaningful ways to contribute to that broader mission.” Below the quote is attribution text in white italics: “Justin Lam, Counsel at Brennan Center for Justice’s Voting Rights and Elections Program Board Chair & Alumnus at The Appellate Project” On the right side of the graphic is a portrait of Justin Lam. He is standing and smiling at the camera, wearing a gray suit jacket, white shirt, navy tie, and a pocket square. The background behind him is softly blurred.
December 11, 2025 at 7:08 PM
theappellateproj.bsky.social
As a TAP mentee, Justin Lam first connected with the Asian Pacific American Bar Association of the Greater Washington, D.C. Area (APABA-DC) at a conference early in his legal career. In September 2025, APABA-DC honored him with its 2025 Rising Star Award.
A celebration graphic featuring a photograph in the upper half of two men standing together at an event. Both are wearing dark suits and ties. The man on the right, smiling, holds a bouquet of flowers and an award. The man on the left stands beside him with one arm behind his back. They stand on a stage with gray curtains behind them, along with a podium on the left. A teal circular logo with a white column icon sits in the upper right corner. Below the photo is a white section with text. In large bold red font it reads: "Congratulations to TAP Board Chair, Justin Lam, on receiving APABA-DC’s Rising Star Award!" Below that, in teal serif font is a quote: "‘It’s an incredible honor and privilege to be acknowledged by a community that has shaped my path in the law.’" At the bottom in smaller text: "Justin Lam, Counsel at Brennan Center for Justice’s Voting Rights and Elections Program Board Chair & Alumnus at The Appellate Project."
December 10, 2025 at 6:03 PM
theappellateproj.bsky.social
For many emerging lawyers from underrepresented communities, stepping inside the U.S. Supreme Court to observe oral arguments remains out of reach.
A graphic with a burnt-orange textured background at the top featuring The Appellate Project logo and text. White text reads: “On November 4th, seventeen TAP alumni gathered in Washington, D.C. to hear oral arguments at the U.S. Supreme Court.” Below the text is a full-width photograph of seventeen professionally dressed TAP alumni standing together outside the U.S. Supreme Court. They stand in two rows, smiling at the camera, wearing suits and professional attire in various colors including navy, beige, gray, burgundy, and blush. The Supreme Court building is visible behind them.
December 4, 2025 at 8:40 PM
theappellateproj.bsky.social
Appellate courts shape the meaning of our laws and the rights that protect us. Who gets to be in those rooms matters.

Since 2019, your support has helped The Appellate Project provide mentorship, resources, and community to more than 600 law students like Samantha from 108 law schools.
A square promotional graphic with a dark red background features The Appellate Project’s white logo centered at the top: a small column icon next to the text “THE APPELLATE PROJECT.” On the left side of the graphic is a long white pull quote that reads: “Attending oral arguments [through TAP’s event] at the First Circuit was particularly meaningful for me, given the fact that one of the cases we heard will determine the fate of my sister Tribe’s reservation lands. Hearing advocates on both sides debate the Tribe’s past, present, and future reminded me how important it is to have members of our communities represented in the appellate field, helping create binding precedents that promote tribal sovereignty and self-determination.” Below the quote, the attribution appears in white text: “Samantha Maltais, 2022–23 TAP Alum, Harvard Law School, Class of 2024.”
December 2, 2025 at 9:06 PM
theappellateproj.bsky.social
Even in a challenging moment for the legal profession, there are real reasons to feel optimistic about the years ahead.
Square graphic with a dark red background. At the top is The Appellate Project’s logo—an icon of a small white column inside a circle—followed by the words “THE APPELLATE PROJECT” in white. To the left, a large dark blue quotation mark sits behind a block of bold white and light-blue text that reads: “Ten, twenty years from now, this profession is going to look so different in so many ways, and that really gives me a lot of hope.” Beneath the quote, in smaller white serif text, it says: “Juvairia S. Khan, Founder & CEO of The Appellate Project.” On the right side of the image is a photo of Juvairia S. Khan sitting onstage, smiling and holding a microphone. She has long dark hair and is wearing a floral dress under a black blazer, with gold earrings and a bracelet. A name badge is clipped to her blazer, and she is seated in a beige chair with notes in her lap.
December 1, 2025 at 11:48 PM
theappellateproj.bsky.social
This Native American Heritage month, we acknowledge the legal landscape for tribal communities varies from state to state—and those differences have real consequences.
A graphic with a pink textured background. At the top is an illustration of six overlapping oval shapes in a horizontal row, transitioning from light pink to dark blue. In the upper-right corner is a small circular icon with a white column symbol inside. Centered text reads: “State constitutions address American Indian affairs across roughly six categories: land, taxation, gaming, voting, culture, and governance.” Below that, smaller text says: “Yet how states approach these questions varies dramatically—with some constitutions explicitly protecting Native cultural rights while others contain no such recognition.” At the bottom, a citation reads: “Source: State Court Report, ‘American Indians and Indigenous Peoples in State Constitutions’ by Martha F. Davis.”
November 28, 2025 at 6:31 PM
theappellateproj.bsky.social
The intersection of tribal and state legal systems creates unique interpretive challenges—especially when judges must apply constitutional provisions written decades ago.
Full-screen graphic with a dark teal background. At the top is The Appellate Project’s logo in white: a small column icon next to the organization’s name in uppercase serif text. Above the logo is a row of textured rectangular color blocks in red, blue, beige, and burgundy. Centered text in large salmon-orange serif letters reads: “DID YOU KNOW?” Below, in large white serif text: “There are 574 federally recognized American Indian tribes in the United States, each with their own legal system.” At the bottom in smaller white text is the source line: “Source: State Court Report, ‘Tribal Courts and Constitutions of American Indian Tribes’ by Michael Milov-Cordoba & Dan Lewerenz.”
November 25, 2025 at 6:32 PM
theappellateproj.bsky.social
This Native American Heritage Month, we're recognizing the need for greater representation in our courts.
A graphic from The Appellate Project with a textured light-grey background. At the top is The Appellate Project’s logo: a small navy blue circular icon with a white column inside, followed by the organization’s name in navy blue. Centered below is large text that reads: “There are no Native American state supreme court justices in four of the five states with the largest populations of Native Americans per capita.” The last clause is in dark red. Below that, smaller text reads in navy blue and dark red: “Yet state supreme courts regularly decide complex legal issues affecting the rights and lives of Native American people.” At the bottom center, in small red text: “Source: Brennan Center for Justice, ‘State Supreme Court Diversity — May 2024 Update.’” Along the bottom edge are several overlapping rectangular blocks in muted colors: dark red, pale pink, medium blue, coral, sky blue, and dark teal.
November 24, 2025 at 3:07 PM
theappellateproj.bsky.social
TAP Founder and CEO Juvaria Khan recently joined the ABA’s Sound Advice podcast to talk about staying the course in a moment when equity work in the legal profession is being tested, and to share what’s ahead for TAP as we enter our next chapter.
A graphic from The Appellate Project featuring a background image of the U.S. Supreme Court building in muted blue tones. At the top is The Appellate Project logo. Centered on the image is a large pink quotation mark icon followed by the quote in bold white and pink text: “History shows us that you have two options. You can keep going or you can give up. And giving up is not an option, SO WE KEEP GOING.” Beneath the quote, in smaller italic text, it reads: “Juvairia S. Khan, Founder & CEO of The Appellate Project.”
November 21, 2025 at 3:31 PM
theappellateproj.bsky.social
Our highest courts shape the laws that affect everyone. We're working to ensure those courts reflect the communities they serve.
A man stands smiling in front of a textured dark red background. He has short black hair and is wearing a light blue button-down shirt. He holds a handwritten sign on white paper that says, “TAP gives me hope that I can have a voice in the future of the law in this country.” In the upper right corner of the image, white text reads: “BEN REYES, Litigation Associate at Blank Rome LLP and 2020–2021 TAP Alum.” In the top left corner is The Appellate Project logo—a white circle with a stylized “TAP” icon next to the words “THE APPELLATE PROJECT.”
November 20, 2025 at 5:00 PM
theappellateproj.bsky.social
To our mentors, volunteers, students, funders, alumni, and partners: We are so grateful for you.

As we work toward building a more just and representative future, you make this critical work possible.
A graphic for The Appellate Project. At the top, against a textured red background, white text reads: “OUR COMMUNITY MAKES THIS WORK POSSIBLE.” Above it is The Appellate Project’s logo — a small white column icon next to the organization’s name in white serif text. The bottom two-thirds of the image is a collage made up of alternating squares featuring close-up black-and-white portraits and bold graphic shapes. The portraits show cropped sections of different people’s faces — eyes, noses, mouths — representing a diverse range of ages, genders, and racial backgrounds. The graphic squares include designs in red, blue, pink, and navy: stacked semicircles, overlapping oval shapes, checkerboard patterns, and starburst-style asterisks. The overall design feels modern and textured, emphasizing community and collective identity.
November 18, 2025 at 8:09 PM