If you believe that a critical error was made in your civil or criminal trial, you have the option to appeal your case to the appellate court. Making the choice to appeal is a big decision, and the next step is finding the appellate lawyer who is right for you. Appeals are very different from regular trials, so you need to find an attorney who specializes in appellate work. As you interview potential lawyers, there are some questions you should ask to determine which one is the best fit for you. For more information, call or contact The Appellate Law Firm today to schedule a consultation of your case.
What is Your Experience with Appellate Cases?
One of the first questions you should ask potential appeals attorneys is about their experience in the appellate field. How many years have they been practicing appellate work? Do they have any prior experience working as a clerk for a judge in appellate court? How many cases have they tried in front of an appellate panel of judges? You want an attorney with a breadth and depth of experience so that you know they can handle all issues that may arise in your case.
How Many Appellate Cases Have You Won?
Relatedly, you will also want to ask an appeals lawyer about their appellate record. Not only do you want an appeals lawyer with experience in the appellate court, but you also want a lawyer who has a track record of success. The attorneys you speak with should be able to tell you how many, or a percentage, of the cases they have won on appeal.
What Issues Have You Identified for My Appeal?
After reviewing your case, ask potential appeals attorneys what issues they see as appealable. You want a lawyer who has examined every aspect of your case and identified all the potential procedural and substantive issues that occurred at trial that may have substantially altered the outcome in the other party’s favor.
Can I See a Writing Sample?
An experienced appellate lawyer should be able to provide you with a writing sample so that you can assess the quality of their written work. Unlike the trial level, most of the appellate arguments are done through a written brief submitted to the appeals court. You need an attorney with advanced and persuasive writing skills in addition to prolific oral advocacy in order to win your case.
Can You Provide Me with Referrals?
Finally, an appellate attorney should be able to provide you with referrals of happy past clients. If a lawyer cannot provide you with referrals it should set off alarm bells about the quality of their work or their success rate in the field.
Call or Contact Our Office Now
The time available to file an appeal after a case is short, so if you are considering an appeal in your civil or criminal case you need to act now. Call the office or contact us at The Appellate Law Firm today to schedule a consultation of your case and learn more about how our knowledgeable appeals attorneys are ready to help you.