My Services
Capital Appellate Advocacy PLLC is a nationally focused, business-oriented appellate litigation boutique that combines decades of litigation experience, including my prior service as founder and leader of a national law firm’s appellate practice, with the personal attention of an independent practice and the flexibility of flat-fee billing.
As a Fellow of the American Academy of Appellate Lawyers and an experienced, hands-on appellate specialist, I provide senior-partner-level advocacy, strategic counsel, and specialized amicus expertise.
Capital Appellate Advocacy combines the experience and judgment of a seasoned appellate litigator with the personal attention and flat-fee flexibility of an independent practice.
Appellate Strategy
When a case goes on appeal, I work directly with clients and their trial counsel to develop and implement focused, cost-effective appellate strategies. This includes identifying and framing the most compelling legal issues, strengthening legal arguments, assessing the likelihood of success, and determining whether amicus support would reinforce the client’s position.
Appellate Brief-Writing
Drafting concise, well-researched, and persuasive briefs is at the heart of effective appellate advocacy. Appellate brief-writing is a specialized craft, distinct from trial-court briefing, requiring a sharper focus on legal principles, issue-framing, and the analytical perspective of appellate judges. Drawing on decades of experience preparing appellate and amicus briefs, including petitions for writs of certiorari in the U.S. Supreme Court, I bring seasoned judgment, rigorous analysis, and a disciplined writing style to every brief I prepare.
Oral Argument
Effective appellate oral argument is conversational, focused, and responsive to the court’s concerns. My preparation includes carefully reviewing the record, distilling complex legal issues to their essential points, and anticipating difficult questions from the bench. This enables me to engage directly and effectively with appellate judges while presenting the client’s position with clarity and confidence. I also organize, conduct, and evaluate moot courts to help other attorneys prepare for appellate oral arguments.
Amicus Briefs
I have authored more than 125 amicus curiae (“friend of the court”) briefs for industry trade associations, nonprofit advocacy organizations such as the Atlantic Legal Foundation, and other clients. Amicus brief-writing is a distinct specialty within appellate advocacy, requiring the ability to present broader legal and policy perspectives that complement the parties’ arguments and assist courts in resolving significant legal questions. These briefs give organizations and their members or supporters a voice in the U.S. Supreme Court, federal courts of appeals, and state appellate courts on issues affecting their interests and policy objectives. My amicus advocacy draws on decades of appellate experience and a thorough understanding of how effective friend-of-the-court briefs can inform and influence appellate decision-making.
Explore my All Things Amicus collection of amicus briefs, articles, presentations, and other resources on effective friend-of-the-court advocacy.
My Services
Capital Appellate Advocacy PLLC is my nationally focused, business-oriented appellate litigation boutique. My decades of litigation experience include prior service as founder and leader of a national law firm’s appellate practice.
As a Fellow of the American Academy of Appellate Lawyers and an experienced, hands-on appellate specialist, I provide senior-partner-level appellate advocacy, strategic counsel, and specialized amicus expertise.
Capital Appellate Advocacy combines the experience and judgment of a seasoned appellate litigator with the personal attention and flat-fee flexibility of an independent practice.
Appellate Strategy
When a case goes on appeal, I work with the client — or its trial counsel — to develop and implement a focused, cost‑effective appellate strategy. This includes identifying and framing the most compelling legal issues, refining and strengthening legal arguments, evaluating the likelihood of success, and determining whether to solicit amicus support to reinforce the client’s position.
Appellate Brief-Writing
Drafting concise, well‑researched, and persuasive briefs is the core of effective appellate advocacy. Appellate brief‑writing is a specialized craft, distinct from most trial‑court briefing, because it requires a sharper focus on legal principles, issue‑framing, and the analytical perspective of appellate judges. With more than five decades of experience authoring appellate and amicus briefs in the Supreme Court (including petitions for writs of certiorari) and federal courts of appeals, I bring seasoned judgment, clear analysis, and a disciplined writing style to every brief I prepare.
Oral Argument
The most effective appellate oral arguments are conversational, focused, and responsive to the court’s concerns. When an appellate court schedules a hearing, I study the record, distill the legal issues to their most essential points, and anticipate the questions that are likely to arise. This level of preparation enables me to engage with the panel in a natural, unrehearsed manner while presenting the client’s position with clarity and confidence. I also organize, conduct, and evaluate moot courts to help other attorneys prepare for their appellate oral arguments.
Amicus Briefs
I have drafted well over 100 amicus curiae briefs for industry trade associations and nonprofit advocacy organizations such as the Atlantic Legal Foundation. Amicus brief writing is a specialized craft even within appellate advocacy, requiring the ability to present broader legal arguments and policy perspectives with clarity and precision. These friend‑of‑the‑court briefs give organizations and their members or supporters a direct voice in the Supreme Court, federal courts of appeals, and state appellate courts on legal issues that affect their interests and broader policy objectives. My amicus work draws on decades of appellate experience and a deep understanding of how courts use amicus participation to frame and resolve significant legal questions.
Answers To the Top 4 FAQs About Appeals
Appellate Law FAQ
Is your case going on appeal? If so, how is the appellate process different from the trial process? As an appellate specialist, I know that these are the questions many clients want answered.
