Experienced appellate practitioners are needed to preserve hard-won victories at trial or before an administrative agency, or to reverse disappointing judicial or administrative decisions. The Appellate Practice Group consists of attorneys with those special competencies that are critical to winning appeals. Appellate practice differs from other aspects of litigation. On appeal, oftentimes policy issues must be identified, refined, and resolved because the existing case law, statutes and regulations are unclear or in conflict.
Our Appellate Practice Group is uniquely qualified to persuade appellate courts that the correct resolution of such complex issues is consistent with our clients’ interests. The Appellate Practice Group attorneys use not only their experience in appellate practice and the law, but also their knowledge in important disciplines such as taxation, finance, economics, health and environmental sciences, tort law and employment relations to guide appellate courts to make the right policy decisions.
Two retired Presiding Judges from the New Jersey Appellate Division, the Honorable William A. Dreier and the Honorable Jack L. Lintner, co-chair the Appellate Practice Group. Together, and also joined by other retired judges outside the firm, they can create mock panels to help attorneys develop the most successful appellate arguments. Our other appellate practitioners, many of whom are former law clerks, have handled appeals in New Jersey and New York state courts, and in federal courts throughout the country. All of our Appellate Practice Group attorneys have on-the-ground experience at the trial court level, which enhances their appellate advocacy.
Our Appellate Practice Group services include:
- Appearing as appellate counsel or co-counsel in the trial court to identify issues ripe for appeal and preserve objections for appeal
- Monitoring trials and advising trial counsel and clients as to strategies to preserve and perfect potential appellate issues
- Consulting clients on the merits of filing an appeal
- Developing meritorious issues on appeal
- Drafting all appellate papers in conformance with appellate rules
- Engaging in motion practice in the appellate courts
- Appraising draft appellate briefs and refining legal arguments
- Providing mock panels to develop oral argument strategies
- Advising and guiding trial counsel and clients through the appeal process
- Presenting appeals at oral argument
