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Civil Appeals Section

Section Overview

The Civil Appeals section supervises and oversees all of the Civil Division’s matters before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals on a wide variety of issues ranging from employment discrimination to tort litigation, and the defense of individual capacity claims against current and former federal employees.  The Civil Appeals section also works with the Solicitor General’s Office to determine which cases are appropriate for government appeal to the Ninth Circuit or the Supreme Court. Although all AUSAs in the Civil Division generally brief and argue their own appeals, the Civil Appeals section has editorial control over all pleadings filed in the Ninth Circuit, and prepares AUSAs for oral argument through “moot courts.”

Leadership

Jessica O. Cheh

Chief, Civil Appeals Section

Ms. Cheh graduated from New York University in 2003 and Santa Clara School of Law in 2007, after which she clerked for the Honorable Andrew J. Wistrich.  In September 2008, Ms. Cheh joined the Civil Division where she represented the government in District Court and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in cases involving employment discrimination, civil rights, administrative review of agency actions, and tort actions against the United States.  Ms. Cheh has briefed and argued numerous appeals to the Ninth Circuit and has assisted AUSAs in preparing for oral argument.  Ms. Cheh is admitted to practice in both California and Nevada and has served as an Office Ethics Advisor and Professional Responsibility Officer since 2013.

Section Contact Information

The United States Attorney's Office
Central District of California
Civil Division
Attn: Civil Appeals Section
300 N. Los Angeles Street, Suite 7516
Los Angeles, California 90012

Updated August 24, 2021