Appellate Law

Appellate practice differs greatly from trial work, and requires a unique set of lawyering skills. Appellate attorneys have the opportunity to not only seek correction of judicial trial error, but to change the law by convincing reviewing courts to overturn past decisions or to expand or change the interpretation of statutes.This is accomplished by thorough analysis and persuasive explanation of legal policy, legislative history, or constitutional meaning.

Effective appellate advocacy requires superlative writing skills. Intense research and analysis must be presented in concise and compelling briefs. A talent for verbal communication is also essential since appellate attorneys must be able to engage appellate justices during oral argument.The attorneys in the Hatch & Parent Appellate Law Practice Group possess all of these attributes.We have extensive experience representing private, corporate and public agency clients in both state and federal appellate courts.We are skilled in all forms of writing, whether on appeal, in writ proceedings, or as amicus curiae. The Firm's diverse practice has enabled us to hone our skills in a variety of substantive legal fields, including water, public law, administrative mandate, environmental, real property, employment, landlord/tenant, probate and estate, professional negligence, construction defects, unfair competition, SLAPP suits, business and commercial law, and partnership and corporate disputes. In addition, because many of us have experience in litigation, we can offer important assistance to trial counsel in framing issues at trial and in preserving the record for appeal.