By: Van Aaron Hughes

If a court has entered a judgment against you, the appellate process is your first and often your best opportunity to overcome that adverse ruling.  Conversely, if you've gotten a decision in your favor from a trial court, your likely next task is to defend against the opposing party's appeal.

The appellate process is a different animal from trial practice, focusing on the legal principles underlying the case.  Many excellent trial lawyers have had favorable judgments overturned on appeal because they argued the case as if they were still before a jury, focusing on good facts without putting those facts in the right legal framework to capture an appellate court's attention.  Pro se litigants who manage to get a good result in a trial court without legal representation will find navigating the complexities of appellate practice a taller order.  Appellate advocacy is its own specialty, and you need legal advice from a lawyer who has a strong background in that specialty.

The lawyers at Thomas P. Howard, LLC have appellate experience and expertise to match any firm in the region, including much larger and more costly firms.  Its lawyers have briefed and argued cases before every appellate court in Colorado.  I personally have had the privilege of briefing and arguing cases in front of both the United States Supreme Court and the Colorado Supreme Court, among many other appellate courts.

Whether it's a case that we also handled at the trial level, a case handled by another firm or a pro se litigant where we're taking the lead on appeal, or a case where we act as advisors to the lead attorneys, Thomas P. Howard, LLC can help you identify and present the issues on appeal so as to maximize your chances of reversing a bad result or affirming a good one.