Lita Abella
Bio
Lita Abella is a senior program analyst with the State Bar of California in Los Angeles, where she
conducts outreach for the Lawyer Assistance Program, which assists law students, bar applicants,
and attorneys with substance use and mental health issues. Prior to that, she was an investigator for
more than five years in the Office of Chief Trial Counsel, where she investigated and assisted in the
prosecution of attorneys for misconduct. Beginning in 1980, Ms. Abella served with the Los Ange-
les Police Department (LAPD) for 20 years, where she worked various assignments including but
not limited to patrol, internal affairs, narcotics, vice and the DARE program. She received exten-
sive training in both substance use disorders and mental health and was a court-qualified narcotics
expert during her years in law enforcement. She attained the rank of lieutenant. Ms. Abella also has
been a business owner and licensed private investigator. While in law school, she clerked for the
Riverside District Attorney’s Office and the Office of the Attorney General. Mr. Abella received her
J.D. from Western State University College of Law.
conducts outreach for the Lawyer Assistance Program, which assists law students, bar applicants,
and attorneys with substance use and mental health issues. Prior to that, she was an investigator for
more than five years in the Office of Chief Trial Counsel, where she investigated and assisted in the
prosecution of attorneys for misconduct. Beginning in 1980, Ms. Abella served with the Los Ange-
les Police Department (LAPD) for 20 years, where she worked various assignments including but
not limited to patrol, internal affairs, narcotics, vice and the DARE program. She received exten-
sive training in both substance use disorders and mental health and was a court-qualified narcotics
expert during her years in law enforcement. She attained the rank of lieutenant. Ms. Abella also has
been a business owner and licensed private investigator. While in law school, she clerked for the
Riverside District Attorney’s Office and the Office of the Attorney General. Mr. Abella received her
J.D. from Western State University College of Law.