Appellate Counsel in Juvenile Delinquency

The State of Utah Division of Purchasing, acting on behalf of the Governor's Office, is seeking qualified independent contractor attorneys to serve as appellate counsel for juvenile delinquency cases through the Indigent Appellate Defense Division (IADD). This five-year contract opportunity aims to provide legal representation for indigent individuals appealing juvenile court decisions across 24 rural counties in Utah. Qualified attorneys must be active members of the Utah State Bar, included on the Utah Courts' Appellate Roster, and specifically approved to handle juvenile delinquency cases by the Utah Supreme Court's Standing Committee on Appellate Representation. The procurement will result in multiple contract awards to responsive vendors meeting a minimum technical score threshold of 600 points. Evaluation criteria include a statement of interest in serving juveniles on appeal (20 points), current Appellate Roster status (20 points), resume (20 points), and proposed resources for trial-level consultation and continuing legal education (140 points), totaling 1,000 possible points. The proposal submission deadline is January 7, 2026, with responses required to be submitted through the U3P system.

The contract opportunity does not explicitly outline specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. Contractors must utilize the DefenderData case management software and maintain professional malpractice insurance with minimum limits of $250,000 per claim and $500,000 per occurrence. Compensation is structured on an hourly basis with presumptive maximum caps: Level 1 Appeals at $75 per hour (maximum 20 hours, $1,500 total), Level 2 Appeals at $150 per hour (maximum 54 hours, $8,100 total), and Level 3 Appeals for certiorari petitions at $150 per hour (maximum $3,500 without prior approval). The total contract value is estimated at $120,000 for the five-year period, subject to potential adjustments based on legislative appropriations and service demands. Reimbursable expenses include transcription fees, investigator and expert witness fees (up to $500 without prior approval), travel costs at state per diem rates, and copying costs at 10 cents per page.