Questions
What people ask in the first week after a verdict
How long do I have to appeal?
Not long. The notice of appeal is due a short time after the judgment is entered or a notice of entry is served, and the time differs by court and by type of case. Missing it usually ends the appeal before it starts, so send us the date first.
Can I appeal because I disagree with the jury?
Not on that alone. An appeal asks whether the trial court made a legal error that affected the result. Courts rarely second-guess a jury's view of the witnesses.
Can I bring new evidence?
Not on appeal. The court reads only the trial record. New evidence may fit a motion in the trial court or a post-conviction petition instead.
Will my trial lawyer handle the appeal?
Sometimes. Many trial lawyers bring in appellate counsel, or work with us as co-counsel. Either way, we keep them in the loop if you'd like.
What does an appeal cost?
It depends on the length of the record and the issues. After a record review we quote a fee in writing, often a flat fee for each stage, before you commit to anything.
What if we won at trial and the other side appeals?
You'll need a respondent's brief, with its own deadline. Defending a judgment is about half of our civil work.
Do you take cases outside San Diego?
Yes, anywhere our lawyers are admitted to practice. Appeals are mostly written, so distance matters less than it does at trial.
Do you only take cases from people, or from lawyers too?
Both. Trial lawyers send us appeals, bring us in during trial, or ask for a second read of a post-trial motion.
A question this page doesn't cover?
Write with the date and the court, and ask it. We answer in plain words.