Linda Puertas
Background:
Linda Puertas has over ten years of teaching experience. Additionally, Linda is an appellate attorney, specializing in dependency. After earning her J.D. from UCLA School of Law, Linda Puertas clerked for Judge Christina Snyder of the Central District of California, Los Angeles.
Currently, Ms. Puertas serves as appointed counsel for the California Court of Appeal, Second District. Since 2013, Ms. Puertas has represented indigent parents and children through the California Appellate Project, Los Angeles, and Appellate Defenders, Inc. Most recently, Ms. Puertas was a staff attorney at the California Appellate Project, supervising court-appointed attorneys. Her appellate successes include challenging the adequacy of the mental health services provided by the Department of Children and Family Services, and challenging the Department’s intervention into a family’s affairs based on a father’s medical marijuana use.
Prior to joining the California Appellate Project, Ms. Puertas was the Director of Academic Skills, Visiting Assistant Professor, and Lecturer at UCI School of Law. As Visiting Assistant Professor and Lecturer, Ms. Puertas taught Lawyering Skills I and II; Research, Writing and Analysis in American Law; Legal Analysis of Evidence; Trial Advocacy Workshop; and the Juvenile Justice Practicum. As Director of Academic Skills, Ms. Puertas oversaw all curricular and co-curricular aspects of the Academic Skills Program, guiding students to success from pre-matriculation through the bar exam. Before joining UCI Law in 2012, Professor Puertas was the Director of Academic Support and an Adjunct Professor of Law at USC Gould School of Law from 2008-2012.
Ms. Puertas served as the Moot Court coach for UCI Law’s National Latino/a Law Student Association Moot Court competition in 2014-2015. Additionally, Ms. Puertas was an Executive Committee Member of the American Association of Law Schools, Academic Support Section from 2014-2015.
Current Courses:
Research, Analysis, and Writing in American Law; Evidence