Appellate Lawyers

After a decision is rendered in a civil or criminal law trial by a trial judge or jury, the party who loses has the right to have the decision reviewed by a higher court. This is known as an appeal and is facilitated by appellate lawyers. The formal name for this appeals process, Appellate Law, is facilitated by appellate lawyers and consists of the rules and practices by which higher courts review lower court judgments.

Unlike other forms of litigation, no discovery exists in appellate law. An appeal is not the retrying of a case; instead, appellate lawyers are limited to sharing what was already presented to the trial court. An appeal is presented by appellate lawyers to a multi-judge appellate panel. Because appellate law deals mainly with what judgments are appealable, how appeals are brought before the court, what will be required for a reversal of the lower court and what procedures each party must follow, it is wise to work with appellate lawyers that can benefit from years of experience and extensive resources, like those at Shook, Hardy & Bacon, L.L.P. (SHB)

Shook, Hardy & Bacon?s Appellate & Trial Consulting Practice has briefed and argued cases in state and federal appellate courts, as well as before regulatory agencies and military tribunals, throughout the United States. SHB appellate lawyers have successfully represented parties in numerous substantive areas, including products liability; intellectual property; contract disputes; mass, toxic and other torts; pharmaceutical and medical device litigation; banking and UCC litigation; insurance coverage; environmental and land use litigation; and more.

Our appellate attorneys work closely with clients and trial counsel to achieve the following:

• Formulate appellate strategies.
• Identify and research critical issues.
• Draft and edit briefs and petitions for extraordinary writs.
• Present oral arguments.
• Prepare post-appeal motions.
• Mediate cases that are pending on appeal.

They also provide valuable services at the trial court level by assisting with the development of legal theories and by preparing summary judgment and other dispositive motions that involve legal issues likely to be the subject of appellate review, as well as jury instructions, jury verdict forms, directed verdict motions, and post-trial motions. When warranted by the complexity of the issues or magnitude of the claims, our appellate attorneys are available to monitor trials for the purpose of helping to identify and ensure the preservation of reversible error.

Due to the nature of this work, an SHB appellate attorney may be called on to consult, assist or assume primary responsibility for an entire appeal. Because appeals are based entirely on the written record of the trial court proceedings, it is not necessary that appellate counsel be located in the same jurisdiction or geographic region where the trial was conducted. The appellate lawyers are chosen for each case depending on their unique strengths and experiences.

Whether we are taking an appeal from an adverse decision or defending a favorable judgment, our appellate lawyers provide exceptional representation. Learn more by contact us today.