You Should Have Called Me Sooner

It’s important to involve an appellate specialist in the early stages of a legal case, even before it goes to trial. They can help with developing legal theories, drafting pleadings, and working on tough legal issues. This can save time and money in the long run. If a case has a potentially difficult legal problem, like a statute of limitations, it’s better to address it early on to avoid wasting resources on a case that might not succeed. Properly pleading a claim or defense is also crucial to avoid losing at trial or on appeal. So, having an appellate expert on the team to help with motions and arguments is important. When there are multiple parties in a case, there are more chances for mistakes to happen. During the trial, it’s helpful for the trial lawyer to talk to the appellate lawyer if it looks like one party might leave the case. The appellate lawyer can also help with legal questions during the trial, so the trial lawyer can focus on the trial itself. It’s important to have a second person listening for when there might be a problem that needs to be fixed for the appeal. Having an appellate lawyer at the trial can also help with arguing about the jury instructions and verdict form, so the trial lawyer can focus on the evidence and their closing argument. If lawyers don’t ask for specific instructions during a trial or object to something the judge does, they might not be able to complain about it later. Appellate lawyers can help with things like making sure the jury’s questions are clear, and that the right paperwork is filed on time after a trial. This can make a big difference if the case ends up being appealed. It’s a good idea to have a second lawyer who specializes in appeals, just in case. Trial lawyers should work with appellate lawyers to properly prepare and file a notice of appeal on time. It’s important to find the right arrangement for payment, whether it’s hourly, flat fee, or a share of the contingent fee. There are many board-certified appellate lawyers in Florida, so don’t wait until it’s too late to involve one in your case. If it’s a PCA, there may not be further review, so it’s crucial to handle the appeal properly. This is a list of legal cases and rules related to appellate practice in Florida. It includes references to specific court cases, rules of civil procedure, and legal texts. It also mentions an attorney who is an expert in appellate practice. The information is submitted by the Trial Lawyers Section of The Florida Bar.

Source: https://www.floridabar.org/the-florida-bar-journal/you-should-have-called-me-sooner/