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.
This 2017 clip of attorney Jared Wigginton arguing a precedent-setting case before the Ninth Circuit shows what appellate arguments look like.
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.