Appellate Advocacy

     Resolution at the trial court level is sometimes just the beginning.

    Our legal system provides safeguards for those who feel that the trial court made a mistake in reaching its conclusion. Trial court judgments may always be appealed to a higher authority - the federal or state courts of appeal. Whether you believe the trial court got it wrong or whether you are defending the court's decision from attacks by the losing party, the appellate process is where the race is truly won. Analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of the results before the trial court based upon the evidence presented and the legal issues and arguments lies at the heart of all appellate advocacy.

    The Law Office of Randy Merritt is comfortable working through the legal and factual bases underlying any appealed judgment - whatever the level of complexity - to best understand and argue your position before a judicial panel. Those arguments begin with well-written briefs that address the legal  arguments with clarity, reason, and persuasion, Written briefs - although critically important - are not the ultimate end. Effective appellate advocacy calls for oral arguments that present arguments in your favor and undermine arguments opposed to your position in a concise, engaging, and well-reasoned manner.