The Appellate Practice Group prosecutes and defends civil and criminal appeals at all levels of federal and state practice.
As litigants negotiate the unique procedural and substantive challenges of an appeal, our mission is to guard our clients’ successes or overturn adverse decisions. Our substantial appellate experience provides a critical edge to every client, at each stage of a litigation.
Our Appellate Practice Group attorneys provide a unique expertise and fresh perspective that is important in any appeal. In contrast to the role of the trial attorney, who is expert at developing the factual record, examining witnesses and persuading juries, the role of the appellate attorney has a different focus. We synthesize all of the evidence that was developed in the trial court, and then develop and refine the legal arguments based upon that evidence for the purpose of persuading appellate judges.
Our approach is to first study the trial and any intermediate appellate record in detail. We thoroughly analyze the strengths and the weaknesses of the case under current substantive law. Our attorneys then provide candid and objective advice and a legal strategy concerning the wisdom and practicality of pursuing or defending an appeal. We then apply ourselves to the critical task of drafting a concise, well-written, appellate brief that presents our client’s legal arguments in the most favorable light. When oral argument is scheduled, one of our experienced appellate attorneys will argue the case.
We also welcome appeals referred by other members of the legal profession, or from clients seeking different, or additional, appellate counsel for various reasons. We are available to provide advice and consultation in on-going appeals, or to perfect or defend an appeal from the outset.
