Polsinelli has a vibrant and active national appellate team that represents clients in state and federal appellate courts, including in the Supreme Court of the United States. Our team handles appeals from beginning to end, as well as extraordinary writs and amicus curiae filings for matters generated inside the firm and those referred by outside counsel and clients.  

Polsinelli’s appellate attorneys frequently advise clients during trials on issues likely to be of significant consequence in any subsequent appeal, including jury instructions, error preservation, and similar issues. Prior to trial, the appellate attorneys frequently prepare critical, dispositive motions, particularly in complex commercial cases. Polsinelli’s Appellate practice is ready to address any appellate need, whether by consulting on issues and strategy, seeking further discretionary review after an adverse appellate opinion, or coordinating post-judgment and post-opinion proceedings in trial and appellate courts.

Effective appellate advocacy demands careful judgments not only at the trial stage in anticipating and planning for appellate scenarios, but through all stages of the appellate process. Our team routinely considers and weighs how complex trial records can best be simplified and which arguments appellate judges will find most persuasive. Polsinelli’s appellate attorneys have the experience to understand how appellate courts view legal issues and to frame arguments accordingly. This process is informed through our team partnering with our firm’s trial lawyers to develop and tailor effective arguments for our clients. 

Our deep bench of attorneys includes a Certified Appellate Specialist, a rare distinction reserved for attorneys who have handled a substantial number of appeals and oral arguments.

From notice of appeal (and even before) to the final mandate, our Appellate team has the experience to help strategically obtain and defend a client’s favorable result, creatively challenge an adverse one, or help a client meaningfully contribute as an amicus curia to the development of the law or policy on issues that matter to its own or broader interests.