What is Appellate Practice?

If a case goes to trial, the parties will ultimately end up with a ruling, or “final judgment,” from the trial court.  In the event that a party is unsatisfied with all or part of the trial court’s decision, he or she may seek to appeal the final judgment. In an appeal, an appellate court reviews the trial court’s ruling.  An appeal does not, however, translate to a new trial.  Rather, an appellate court limits its review to the “record” from trial.  The “record” generally refers to the original documents, pleadings, exhibits, and transcripts that were filed with the trial court.  Because appellate practice often involves advocating for a position that already “lost” at the trial court level, attorneys who handle appeals must possess a particular set of skills, such as exceptional legal research, legal writing, and oral advocacy skills, as well as extensive familiarity with the Rules of Appellate Procedure.  To learn more about the process of appealing a trial verdict or to schedule a consultation with one of our experienced attorneys, please contact our office.