Appeals
Appeals are an inescapable part of litigation. A decision from a trial-court or agency proceeding is often not the end of a case. Frequently, clients must participate in appellate proceedings to defend a lower-court victory or choose to lodge an appeal in an effort to overcome an unfavorable decision.
Given the narrow nature of these proceedings, appellate lawyers require a unique set of legal skills. Exceptional appellate lawyers must, for example, be extremely disciplined in identifying and presenting their clients’ best arguments; precisely and persuasively present their clients’ arguments in written briefs and during oral argument; and be extremely prepared, dynamic, and quick-thinking oral advocates. Appellate courts rigorously question lawyers during oral argument and an unprepared lawyer always gets exposed to his client’s detriment.
GSL has extensive appellate experience, having litigated before the U.S. Supreme Court; the U.S. Courts of Appeals for the District of Columbia, Ninth, and Fifth Circuits; the Supreme Court of Washington; and the Supreme Court of Montana. GSL attorney Jared Wigginton also served as a judicial clerk to the Supreme Court of Nevada for two years before entering private practice.