The Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) has named Carla Arevalo as its Supreme Court Rule 13 Compliance Officer. In this newly created position, Arevalo’s chief function will be to educate, interpret and enforce Supreme Court Rule 13, which governs the appointment and compensation of attorneys representing indigent defendants.
“The indigent defense fund is an important tool to ensure that people who cannot afford an attorney are appointed counsel as guaranteed by our constitution; however, we also have a duty to taxpayers to ensure the fund is being spent appropriately,” said Libby Sykes, director of the Administrative Office of the Courts. “Carla’s background and experience make her uniquely qualified to educate attorneys about how to maintain the necessary records to bill the court system for their services, while also calling attention to any errors that may be discovered.”
As part of the compliance process, Arevalo will work closely with individual attorneys, judges, the Board of Professional Responsibility and other judicial personnel to ensure the integrity of the billing process.
Prior to joining the AOC, Arevalo worked at the Internal Revenue Service in the examination and audit division for more than two years. She has more than 10 years of compliance experience, managing complex compliance initiatives in securities, health care and corrections. She earned her law degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Lansing, Mich., and received her undergraduate degree from Lock Haven University in Lock Haven, Penn. Arevalo is also a veteran who served four years as a Navy Corpsman stationed with the United States Marine Corps.