Our appellate attorneys assist with trial-court strategy and briefing and advise clients and other lawyers on preserving error for appeal. In addition, they manage interlocutory appeals, petitions for writ of mandamus, post-verdict motions, and appeals for cases within the firm and for cases from outside the firm where outside lawyers serve as lead trial counsel, as well as cases where nonparties wish to submit amicus curiae briefs.

Our appellate team has successfully briefed and argued appeals before the United States Supreme Court, the Fifth and Eleventh Circuits, the Alabama Supreme Court, intermediate appellate courts, and appellate courts in various other jurisdictions.

Resources

A Practitioner’s Guide to Post-Judgment Motions

A post-judgment motion can accomplish several purposes. At best, it changes the trial result in your favor, either by overturning the previous decision or by reopening the case. In some instances, a post-judgment motion is required to preserve issues for appeal. Even if denied, the post-trial motion can help your cause by forcing the trial court to explain its decisions, thereby creating a better record for appeal. This article provides an overview of the weapons in the post-judgment arsenal and discusses traps that can lead to dismissed or lost appeals.

This in-depth guide was prepared by former Managing Partner Deborah Alley Smith, who retired in 2022.