Appellate Practice

Appeals often mark the end of years of litigation and the beginning of a specialized process during which attorneys must either zealously guard a favorable trial or motion outcome or aggressively seek to overturn an unfavorable decision or verdict.

Appellate work requires a sophisticated understanding and thorough knowledge of the law, procedural rules, intricacies of brief writing and oral advocacy, and a talent for framing and preserving issues for appeal.

We believe this specialized litigation work requires a thoughtful, collaborative approach throughout the handling of a matter. Our attorneys work together to develop innovative strategies and remain on the cutting edge of litigation and appellate advocacy. Whether facing the appeal of a favorable verdict in a catastrophic personal injury case or striving to overturn an adverse decision in an employment matter, our lawyers are prepared to advocate on our clients’ behalf in state and federal courts regionally and nationally. Our attorneys are also available for appellate consultation: providing tactical advice, evaluating the likelihood of success on appeal, crafting or reviewing briefs – including amici curiae (friend of the court) submissions –and preparing post-trial motions, among other services.

With broad experience handling appeals before both state and federal appellate courts, the lawyers in our appellate practice have a long tradition of helping clients uphold their victories and reverse their losses on appeal.

Our involvement often begins in trial court, where we work closely with trial counsel to identify and preserve issues well in advance of an appeal. In other cases, we provide clients with a fresh review of complex lawsuits coupled with a candid analysis of the issues to determine how an appeal might best protect clients’ interests and advance their positions. In all cases, we look for opportunities to change or develop the law in ways that are in line with our clients’ objectives.

Always, we guide our clients to a nuanced understanding of what’s at stake and what’s important to appellate judges, balancing clients’ strategic and business objectives with the costs and challenges of appealing unfavorable decisions. Whether the case involves questions of constitutional interpretation, the correct implementation of class action procedures, the admission of expert testimony, the proper application of substantive law or other issues, clients rely on our seasoned appellate practitioners to evaluate the trial court record and best frame their issues within the applicable standard of review.

We have experience in a wide range of matters, having helped clients preserve or appeal rulings in bad faith, civil rights, class action, construction, environmental and toxic tort litigation and coverage, insurance coverage, labor and employment, products liability, governmental liability, automobile liability, commercial litigation, land use and zoning, premises liability, professional liability, product liability, constitutional law, and land use disputes.

When our clients appeal decisions, we write focused and engaging briefs that tell their stories while distilling the case on appeal to the essential factual and legal issues most likely to prevail. Our clients know they can count on us to concisely articulate and advocate for their positions.

Attorneys