Oftentimes, a verdict in the courtroom is only the first step in a long legal battle.
Frequently, the losing party will appeal the decision, which leads to a whole new and complex legal process in the appellate courts. An appeal may be made because a party believes the judge ruled incorrectly or because a Houston appellate lawyer thinks something was amiss during trial proceedings. Depending on the nature of the case, the individuals or organizations involved, and the jurisdiction of the matter, a case could go through several rounds of appeals until it ultimately reaches the state or federal Supreme Court.
Civil appellate proceedings are very different from civil trials. During a trial, attorneys focus on using facts and presenting evidence to prove a case. The appeals process is more focused on the procedure of the trial, essentially determining if the trial correctly and fairly followed the applicable laws and processes to reach the result of the case. Just as the focus of the proceedings is different in appellate court, the requirements and administrative steps for appealing a ruling or judgement are also dissimilar from an original trial. Failing to select the right Houston appellate lawyer could end up costing you dearly on appeal.
As a massive and extremely diverse city, Houston is no stranger to all kinds of civil trials, and as a result has a robust civil appeals process. These civil cases can range from as small as impacting individuals and their families to massive rulings that impact all Houstonians. Recent examples can be found in every corner of Houston, from the medical center to city hall, and almost every other arena.
Because of the nature of the appeals process, it is very important when looking for a Houston appellate attorney to select a law firm with significant experience with appeals. Success at the trial level alone does not indicate an attorney will have similar victories during the appellate process. Some trial lawyers inexperienced with appeals may not know what they need to examine or prove in a case at the trial level in order to qualify for appellate proceedings. Similarly, they may not know the deadlines for filing or the specific evidentiary requirements.
Additionally, a trial team can improve with the fresh perspective of an experienced appellate lawyer who can help bring new ideas and viewpoints to the case. Selecting a Houston civil appeals attorney with a strong understanding of the stringent timelines, requirements, and proceedings for filing an appeal are crucial to succeeding at the process. Depending on the case, clients sometimes engage appellate lawyers during the trial stage in case they are needed to file or defend a future appeal. At Feldman & Feldman, we have everything you need in one place – we have lawyers focused on trials and lawyers focused on appeals.
Why Feldman & Feldman?
At Feldman & Feldman, our skilled civil appeals lawyers in Houston handle cases from start to finish. Our practice includes attorneys with extensive experience in both civil trials and appellate proceedings. Our two founding partners, Cris Feldman and David Feldman have vast knowledge of the handling of appeals for individuals, businesses, and government entities. Both Houston civil appeal lawyers are admitted to practice in the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.
David Feldman has argued numerous appeals in both the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals and the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals, including cases involving supervisor liability for unconstitutional acts of a subordinate, permitting prayer in public school graduation ceremonies, First Amendment retaliation, and the Houston Police Department’s “no beard” policy under Title VII.
In addition to the successes of our founding partners, our firm also features George W. Vie III, who has served as lead counsel in over 400 appeals and original proceedings. George is Board Certified in Civil Appellate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, a distinction held by very few civil appeals lawyers in Houston.
With the combined experience of our partners, Feldman & Feldman is uniquely qualified to handle complex cases during trial and through appeals. Whether we are the first firm to handle the case or are brought on after another law firm has handled the initial trial, our knowledge and skills of the appellate process allow us to examine the merits of appealing and build a strong strategy for moving the case forward. We work closely with the original trial team to understand everything that happened in the initial court proceedings. This provides a strong foundation for all future appeals. We make sure we fight for our clients as long as the process takes.
Experienced Appellate Lawyers of Houston
Because of the nature of appeals work, it makes sense to entrust Houston appellate attorneys with experience pursuing and defending these kinds of cases. At Feldman & Feldman, our skilled appellate lawyers can aggressively represent clients throughout the entire appeals process. We work with our clients to understand their cases and find creative strategies. If you would like to speak with one of our experienced civil appeals lawyers in Houston, contact us today.