California Academy of Appellate Lawyers
Public records raise at least one point you should look into before giving.
What it says it does
THE CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF APPELLATE LAWYERS IS A STATE-WIDE ORGANIZATION OF LAWYERS WHO SPECIALIZE IN APPELLATE LITIGATION. RETIRED JUSTICES OF THE CALIFORNIA SUPREME COURT AND THE COURT OF APPEALS ARE ALSO INVITED TO BECOME MEMBERS. THE ORGANIZATION HOLDS AN ANNUAL WEEKEND-LONG CONFERENCE, TO WHICH A LIMITED NUMBER OF SITTING APPELLATE JUSTICES ARE INVITED, AT THE ORGANIZATION'S EXPENSE. THEY ARE INVITED IN ORDER TO EXCHANGE IDEAS REGARDING THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE IN THE APPELLATE COURTS. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO HOLDS TWO ONE-DAY CONFERENCES, TYPICALLY IN THE FALL AND WINTER, THAT INCLUDE BUSINESS MEETINGS AND OPEN MEETINGS SIMILAR TO THOSE AT THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE.
- Income
- $99,183
- Spending
- $140,420
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending May 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Financial health
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending May 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending May 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (1)
- $132,854 spent. THE ACADEMY PROVIDES A FORUM, AT ITS THREE ANNUAL MEETINGS, FOR APPELLATE JUDGES,JUSTICES, AND PRACTITIONERS TO INTERACT WITH AND TO LEARN FROM EACH OTHER. IT FILES AMICUS CURIAE BRIEFS IN THE CALIFORNIA SUPREME COURT AND APPELLATE COURTS,IN CASES INVOLVING IMPORTANT ISSUES OF APPELLATE PRACTICE, AND IT PROMOTES REFORMS IN APPELLATE PROCEDURE DESIGNED TO ENSURE EFFECTIVE REPRESENTATION OF APPELLATE LITIGANTS AND MORE EFFICIENT ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE AT THE APPELLATE LEVEL.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending May 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(6) business league.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Caution.
The IRS master file records contributions to this 501(c)(6) business league as not deductible.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending May 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since November 1986.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.