APPELLATE DEFENDERS, INC. IS A NON-PROFIT LAW FIRM WHICH ADMINISTERS THE APPOINTED COUNSEL SYSTEM FOR THE CALIFORNIA COURT OF APPEAL, FOURTH APPELLATE DISTRICT, IN CALIFORNIA. THE OFFICE OPERATES UNDER A CONTRACT WITH THE CALIFORNIA ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE COURTS.
Executive compensation, broken down
Form 990 · Part VII & Schedule J · 6 reported individuals · Filing year 2024
Percentile bands compare each position's total pay with the same role at Crime & Legal-Related organizations in California.
- Base
- $165k
- Bonus
- —
- Other
- —
- Benefits
- $27k
- Base
- $141k
- Bonus
- —
- Other
- —
- Benefits
- $15k
- Base
- $127k
- Bonus
- —
- Other
- —
- Benefits
- $25k
- Base
- $131k
- Bonus
- —
- Other
- —
- Benefits
- $18k
- Base
- $140k
- Bonus
- —
- Other
- —
- Benefits
- $2k
| Position | Base | Bonus | Other | Benefits | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Executive Director 75th to 90th percentile | $165k | — | — | $27k | $204k $220k |
Staff Attorney Highest Compensated Employee Median to 75th percentile | $141k | — | — | $15k | $165k $178k |
Staff Attorney Highest Compensated Employee Median to 75th percentile | $127k | — | — | $25k | $161k $173k |
Assistant Director Highest Compensated Employee Median to 75th percentile | $131k | — | — | $18k | $159k $171k |
Staff Attorney Highest Compensated Employee Median to 75th percentile | $140k | — | — | $2k | $152k $163k |
Staff Attorney Highest Compensated Employee Median to 75th percentile | — | — | — | — | $147k $158k |
Teal figures restate each filed amount in 2026 dollars.
Estimated with San Diego-Carlsbad, CA metro-area CPI-U, restating filed pay into May 2026 dollars. A restatement of past pay, not current or projected pay.
Plus 8 unpaid individuals.
Top pay as a share of expenses
In 2024, the highest total compensation at APPELLATE DEFENDERS INC equaled 4% of the organization's total expenses. The median for crime & legal-related organizations is 11%.
Based on 3,267 crime & legal-related organizations, each measured at its most recent filing year with reported expenses and compensation.
Down 2%
from 2023
From $208k in 2023 to $204k in 2024.
Estimated with San Diego-Carlsbad, CA metro-area CPI-U, restating filed pay into May 2026 dollars. A restatement of past pay, not current or projected pay.
Chief Executive Officer pay fell 2% from 2023 to 2024, while revenue rose 1%.
- Highest Compensated Employee pay fell 2% from 2023 to 2024.
Pay for the position itself, not any one person. The officeholder may have changed between 2023 and 2024.
Among peers
Revenue and top compensation, plotted against similar organizations. This organization is highlighted in cyan.
Common questions about APPELLATE DEFENDERS INC
What does the Chief Executive Officer of APPELLATE DEFENDERS INC earn?
In 2024, the Chief Executive Officer of APPELLATE DEFENDERS INC received $204,283 in total compensation. This pay is in the top quarter for Chief Executive Officer roles among Crime & Legal-Related organizations in California, though not the top 10% of comparable filings. Based on IRS Form 990 data.
How does Chief Executive Officer pay at APPELLATE DEFENDERS INC compare with similar nonprofits?
Compared with the same role at Crime & Legal-Related organizations in California, the 2024 pay of the Chief Executive Officer at APPELLATE DEFENDERS INC falls between the 75th and 90th percentiles. In 2024, the highest total compensation at APPELLATE DEFENDERS INC equaled 4% of the organization's total expenses. The median for crime & legal-related organizations is 11%.
What are APPELLATE DEFENDERS INC's revenue and expenses?
In 2024, APPELLATE DEFENDERS INC reported $5.4M in total revenue and $5.1M in total expenses on its IRS Form 990.
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