Appeals

In real life, cases are rarely won in the courtroom.  Dazzling cross-examination almost never produces “Perry Mason” moments.  In civil cases there is little courtroom drama, because the witnesses have been deposed in advance of the trial.  Indeed, the mantra of the civil trial is “no surprises.”  And most turn out to be like opening night of a Broadway show that has been rehearsed endlessly before its premiere.  Criminal trials do occasionally generate some excitement, but almost never of the sort that is the staple of Hollywood movies or TV courtroom dramas.  Cases are won and lost in preparation – in the library and in the field.

Too many lawyers depend on their “courtroom skills” and downplay the preparation necessary to take advantage of their skills.  As an appellate lawyer, I have probably read as many transcripts of losing criminal trials as anyone, and if there is one common theme, it is lack of preparation.  (Alan Dershowitz, Letters to a Young Lawyer)

In law, the quality of writing matters. Good writing can win cases, and bad writing can lose them. (Bryan Garner, The Winning Brief)

Our approach is based on thorough preparation: carefully reviewing the record, researching all applicable law, and drafting persuasive arguments that fully speak to the issues. Our appellate services include:

  • Researching and writing post-trial motions and appellate briefs
  • Handling post-trial proceedings
  • Arguing appeals in state and federal courts
  • Assisting on appeals being handled by other attorneys, including research, drafting, editing, and preparation and coaching for oral argument
  • Collaborating with trial teams on key discovery matters, dispositive motions, and pretrial matters
  • Drafting pretrial and trial motions in conjunction with trial teams
  • Joining with trial teams to identify and evaluate applicable law and to plan pretrial and trial strategy
  • Drafting jury charges and attending jury charge conferences
  • Providing guidance on error preservation before and during trials
  • Supplying independent assessments of potential appeals

Federal Appeals

We handle all aspects of federal appellate litigation, including the following areas:

  • White Collar and Other Federal Crimes
  • Federal Sentencing Appeals
  • Federal Diversity Cases
  • Complex Commercial Cases
  • Mandamus Issues
  • Fair Debt Collections Practices Act
  • Title VII

Immigration Appeals

There are many lawyers who practice in immigration, but few that handle petitions to review to the appellate circuit court. Our firm does not handle immigration cases at the IJ level, but does consult with clients with petitions for review at the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.

Texas Appeals

We handle all aspects of Texas civil appellate litigation.