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The Appellate Project
@theappellateproj.bsky.social
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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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We're so proud to congratulate Justin on this well-deserved recognition.
Read more about Justin’s leadership and APABA-DC Rising Star award here: theappellateproject.org/news-and-voi...
(Photo Credit: APABA-DC)
TAP Board Chair and Alumnus Justin Lam Honored with 2025 APABA-DC Rising Star Award — The Appellate Project
TAP Board Chair Justin Lam receives APABA-DC's 2025 Rising Star Award, recognizing his commitment to representation and inclusive appellate practice.
theappellateproject.org
December 10, 2025 at 6:05 PM
theappellateproj.bsky.social
Justin's recognition reflects what's possible when emerging lawyers find the support systems they need—and why representation at every level strengthens our legal institutions.
December 10, 2025 at 6:05 PM
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As TAP's Board Chair since 2023, he's working to create those same opportunities for others, building the pathways that help diverse voices reach appellate practice.
December 10, 2025 at 6:04 PM
theappellateproj.bsky.social
That commitment to inclusivity and representation has brought Justin to the Brennan Center for Justice's Voting Rights and Elections Program, where he defends the right to vote through research, litigation, and advocacy.
December 10, 2025 at 6:04 PM
theappellateproj.bsky.social
Read more about TAP’s recent visit with alumni to the Supreme Court: theappellateproject.org/news-and-voi...
The top portion features a burnt-orange textured background and white centered text reading: “Experiences like this visit to the Supreme Court are made possible because our community believes in expanding who gets to shape the law and helping to ensure our appellate system reflects the full diversity, talent, and lived experience of our nation.” The Appellate Project logo sits above the text. The bottom half shows a wide group photo of seventeen TAP alumni standing together outdoors in front of the U.S. Supreme Court, similar to slide one. They smile toward the camera dressed in professional attire. The building and columns are visible behind them.
December 4, 2025 at 8:42 PM
theappellateproj.bsky.social
This is what building pathways looks like: supporting emerging leaders and expanding who gets to shape the law in our highest courts.
Top half of the slide is a photograph of a man standing outside the U.S. Supreme Court building, looking to the right of the camera with a calm, reflective expression. He is wearing a tan coat over a collared shirt and tie. Other visitors and the marble building are visible in the background. A small TAP logo appears near the top right corner. The bottom half features a burnt-orange textured background with centered white text displaying a quote: “I’m incredibly appreciative of TAP and the role it’s played in my career trajectory so far, and of the influence it’s having not only for us individually, but collectively as a community of Black and brown law students and lawyers who are trying to make positive change in our country.” – Michael Harding, Judicial Law Clerk at the Eastern District of Pennsylvania & TAP Alumnus.
December 4, 2025 at 8:42 PM
theappellateproj.bsky.social
The visit put TAP's program pillars into action: building community among our members, providing hands-on appellate training, opening doors that have historically been closed, and reinforcing why representation in our highest courts matters for the health of our democracy.
A burnt-orange textured background takes up the top half of the slide with centered white text featuring a quote that reads: “It is an honor and a privilege to even be at the United States Supreme Court, and I’d guess it’s every attorney’s dream to argue before the Court one day—it’s definitely my dream.” – Laila Kassis, Associate at Kirkland & Ellis LLP & TAP Alumna. The bottom half is a photo of a woman standing outdoors in front of the Supreme Court building. She has long wavy blonde hair, wears a brown plaid coat and white blouse, and looks slightly past the camera with a thoughtful expression. A small round TAP logo appears in the bottom left corner.
December 4, 2025 at 8:41 PM
theappellateproj.bsky.social
But on November 4, seventeen TAP alumni did exactly that—witnessing appellate advocacy at the highest level.
The top half of the slide is a photo showing a close view of several TAP alumni standing side-by-side outdoors. They are wearing professional attire and smiling softly, facing slightly left of the camera. Autumn-colored trees are blurred in the background. A small circular TAP logo appears in the upper left corner. The bottom half has a burnt-orange textured background with centered white text: “At a moment when appellate decisions are shaping fundamental questions of democracy, rights, and representation, TAP created this experience to give alumni access to a space that has historically been closed to many first-generation and underrepresented lawyers.” The Appellate Project logo appears at the bottom.
December 4, 2025 at 8:41 PM
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Donate today to support the next generation of appellate leaders here: theappellateproject.org/donate
Thank you for standing with our students and for believing in a justice system that reflects the communities it serves.
Donate — The Appellate Project
theappellateproject.org
December 2, 2025 at 9:07 PM
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Today on Giving Tuesday, you can help TAP expand opportunities in appellate law. Your gift will help us deepen mentorship and training, strengthen alumni support, and open more doors into appellate practice for students who have been historically excluded.
December 2, 2025 at 9:07 PM
theappellateproj.bsky.social
Listen to the full episode here: www.americanbar.org/groups/litig...
Staying the Course, Planting Seeds
Sound Advice host Damonta Morgan speaks with Juvaria Khan, founder and executive director of the Appellate Project, about the importance of continuing to value and advance diversity efforts in the cur...
www.americanbar.org
December 1, 2025 at 11:49 PM
theappellateproj.bsky.social
She shared why she believes the next 10-20 years will reshape the profession in meaningful ways and why the determination she sees in today’s students and alumni is one of the strongest signs of progress.
December 1, 2025 at 11:49 PM
theappellateproj.bsky.social
She spoke about the changes she has already seen since beginning her own career, including the increased number of students from underrepresented backgrounds pursuing appellate work and the growing recognition of the importance of who interprets and applies the law.
December 1, 2025 at 11:49 PM
theappellateproj.bsky.social
In her recent ABA Sound Advice conversation with TAP alumnus and host Damonta Morgan, our Founder and CEO Juvaria Khan talked about what gives her hope for the future of the profession.
December 1, 2025 at 11:49 PM
theappellateproj.bsky.social
Learn more about how state constitutions address Indigenous rights in this @State Court Report article: statecourtreport.org/our-work/ana...
American Indians and Indigenous Peoples in State Constitutions
In the shadow of federal law, some state constitutions address American Indian land, taxation, gaming permissions, voting rights, cultural protection, and governance.
statecourtreport.org
November 28, 2025 at 6:32 PM
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When courts work through these intricate relationships, judges who have lived experience as both tribal members and state citizens bring essential perspective that strengthens legal reasoning and grounds decisions in the real impacts on tribal communities.
November 28, 2025 at 6:32 PM
theappellateproj.bsky.social
How state constitutions protect Native cultural rights, address voting access, or handle gaming compacts differs significantly across jurisdictions.
November 28, 2025 at 6:32 PM
theappellateproj.bsky.social
Learn more in this State Court Report article: statecourtreport.org/our-work/ana...
Tribal Courts and Constitutions of American Indian Tribes
Tribal courts and constitutions shape governance for American Indian tribes, balancing sovereignty with federal law in their unique legal systems.
statecourtreport.org
November 25, 2025 at 6:33 PM
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In honor of Native American Heritage Month, we recognize that this insight strengthens legal reasoning in ways textbook knowledge alone can't provide.
Graphic matches the same branding: dark teal background, The Appellate Project logo at the top below textured color blocks in red, blue, beige, and burgundy. Centered headline in salmon-orange serif letters: “DID YOU KNOW?” Below, large white serif text reads: “About 60% of tribal governments operate under constitutions created through the 1934 Indian Reorganization Act, many of which didn’t incorporate traditional tribal values.” Small white source text at the bottom: “Source: State Court Report, ‘Tribal Courts and Constitutions of American Indian Tribes’ by Michael Milov-Cordoba & Dan Lewerenz.”
November 25, 2025 at 6:33 PM
theappellateproj.bsky.social
When judges interpret these overlapping systems, cultural and historical understanding becomes essential. Native judges bring that perspective—they understand not just the legal text, but the lived reality of how historical policies continue to affect tribal communities today.
Graphic with the same layout and color scheme as page 1: textured red, blue, beige, and burgundy blocks across the top, The Appellate Project logo in white, and a dark teal background. Centered salmon-orange headline: “DID YOU KNOW?” Below, large white serif text reads: “Between 1978 and 2013, the number of tribal courts doubled. Today there are as many as 400 tribal justice systems in the United States.” Small white source text at the bottom: “Source: State Court Report, ‘Tribal Courts and Constitutions of American Indian Tribes’ by Michael Milov-Cordoba & Dan Lewerenz.”
November 25, 2025 at 6:33 PM