When Should You Hire an Appellate Attorney?
Appealing a case is very different from litigating one. While trial attorneys focus on presenting evidence, examining witnesses, and persuading juries, appellate attorneys focus on a different skill set (identifying legal errors, writing persuasive briefs, and arguing before appellate judges). If you’ve recently received an unfavorable ruling, you may be wondering when to hire an […]
How Appellate Courts Treat Legal Errors
When a trial court delivers a decision, the losing party often feels frustrated and may believe mistakes were made during the process. But not every mistake warrants an appeal, and not every unfavorable ruling will be overturned. One of the most important questions in appellate law is how higher courts evaluate mistakes, or what’s known […]
Appealing a Federal Court Decision: Step-by-Step Guide
Federal litigation can be high-stakes, with decisions that affect businesses, organizations, and individuals in profound ways. When a judgment from a federal trial court doesn’t go your way, it’s natural to ask: What happens next? Do I have options? The answer often lies in the appellate process. But navigating that process is complex, and timing […]
What Happens During Oral Argument in an Appeal?
If you’re navigating the appellate process after an unfavorable trial court decision, you may be wondering about one of the most dramatic and visible aspects of appeals: oral argument in appellate court. While many appeals are decided based solely on written briefs, oral arguments provide attorneys with a crucial opportunity to directly engage with appellate […]
Civil Appeals vs. Federal Appeals: What’s the Difference?
When a trial court delivers an unfavorable ruling, many people immediately begin asking about their options for appeal. But as you start researching, you’ll quickly encounter different types of appeals, particularly civil appeals and federal appeals. While these processes share similarities, they also involve important distinctions in procedure, jurisdiction, and scope. If you’ve ever wondered […]
Can You Introduce New Evidence on Appeal? Understanding the Limits
The conclusion of a trial can be a challenging time, particularly if the outcome isn’t what you hoped for. It’s natural to reflect on the proceedings and perhaps identify additional information or new evidence that could have potentially changed the result. This often leads to the crucial question: can you introduce new evidence on appeal? […]
Understanding the Standard of Review in Appeals
When pursuing an appeal after an unfavorable trial court decision, one of the most critical concepts that will determine your case’s success is the standard of review appellate court judges apply when evaluating your arguments. This fundamental principle governs how much deference appellate courts give to lower court decisions and directly impacts your appeal strategy. […]
Deadlines and Timelines for Filing an Appeal
One of the most common questions people ask after receiving an unfavorable court ruling is: “How long do you have to file an appeal?” The answer is critical because appeals are bound by strict deadlines, and missing even one can mean losing the opportunity to have your case reviewed. Whether you are dealing with a […]