Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Appellate Practice Lawyers

What sets up apart:

• We are uniquely situated to be an all-encompassing firm; we don't refer the case away if there is an appeal. We are competent to handle appeals, when it comes up, we keep it in house, saving you time and money in your search for an appellate attorney.
• We are able to handle appeals at every level, from Magistrate to the SCOTUS.
• Able to do the lower court trial with an eye for an appeal. Laying the groundwork for an appeal rather than doing the case, not knowing what would be successful in an appeal. Provides long term strategy with close attention to detail. Fits into “one-stop” branding for clients. Multiple procedural aspects of a case that we are aware of.
• We are mindful of our clients’ resources. A lot of attorneys will appeal at the wrong time, jeopardizing chances of success. There are other instances where court permission is required to appeal. We know when to appeal, how to use strategy to be the best steward of clients resources
• Appeals are in depth and require a lot of legal research, we are able to navigate that for our clients
  

Accomplishments in Appeals:

• Superior Court reversal of trial court denial of dismissal at preliminary objection stage for expansion of express easement by necessity
• Multiple attorneys at our firm have argued in front of the 3rd circuit 
• RV and VK, and MR admitted to the Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
• RV admitted by the U.S. Supreme Court 
• All attorneys admitted to the Supreme Court of PA
• MR appeal experience in criminal matters and civil rights
• Multiple attorneys at our firm have handled cases at the appellate level
  

Appellate Advocacy 

When the outcome of a case matters, experience on appeal can make all the difference. Appellate litigation is not simply a continuation of trial work, it requires a distinct set of skills focused on legal analysis, persuasive writing, and strategic argument. Here at Very Law, we provide comprehensive appellate representation, guiding our clients through every stage of the appeals process with precision and clarity.

• Beneficial to have same lawyer do the lower court as appellate as this allows strategic planning for appeals
• Preserves issues and record
• “What are things we can do at trial to preserve the right to appeal?”
• Raising objections and making a record of objections
• Ensuring pleadings are filed at lower court, motions etc. Others attorneys will not file the motion in court,
• Tight post trial motion deadlines (typically 14 days)
• Intense attention to detail that we pride ourselves on meeting

Why Clients Choose Us

Selecting appellate counsel is a critical decision. Clients trust our firm because we combine proven results with deep, insider knowledge of the appellate court system.

Proven Appellate Success

Our attorneys have a track record of delivering meaningful results on appeal  Notably, Attorney Krawiec secured a Superior Court reversal of a trial court’s denial of dismissal at the preliminary objection stage. This outcome demonstrates our ability to identify dispositive legal issues and achieve success for our clients in complex matters.

Our team brings rare, comprehensive experiences across Pennsylvania’s judicial system. This breadth of experience provides valuable insight into how judges analyze cases at each stage of review.

FAQ:

What is an appeal?

• An appeal is a legal process in which a higher court reviews a lower court’s decision to determine whether legal errors were made that affected the outcome  It is not a new trial, but rather a review of the existing record and legal arguments
  

What issues can be raised on appeal?

• Appeals typically focus on legal errors, such as incorrect application of the law, improper admission or exclusion of evidence, or procedural mistakes.
  

How long do I have to file an appeal?

• Deadlines for filing appeals vary depending on the type of case and court. In many cases, a notice of appeal must be filed in a short window after the final order is entered. Time is of the essence, it’s important to reach out to schedule a strategy session now.
  

Do I need a different attorney for an appeal?

• It is always best to come to any legal situation prepared. That is where we come into play. Our robust and expansive experience ensures that our clients can feel confident in trusting us with their appeal.
  

How do appeals work?

• Attached to this email is a pdf that has the overview of the court system in PA
• The lowest court is magistrate, can appeal to the arbitration division of the court of common pleas, that can be appealed to the Court of Common Pleas to Gen Docket, then to Superior court, PA Supreme Court, then to US Supreme Court. 
  

Precision, Strategy, and Credibility

Clients choose us because we bring a disciplined, strategic approach to every appeal. We focus on the issues that matter most, present arguments with clarity and credibility, and advocate effectively in both written briefs and oral arguments.

When your case moves to the appellate stage, you need counsel with the experience, judgement, and track record to deliver results. We provide the advocacy and insight clients rely on when it matters most. Contact us now to schedule your strategy session.

Blog Post Ideas:

In addition to the Appeals Practice area, we would also like to see blog posts to target pages for appeals, explain de novo, explain legal terms, procedures etc. I have outlined a few ideas down below.

• A blog centering around how appeals can allow people to have a direct impact on the way the courts interpret the law, reflecting Don Very’s belief of Law for the People. This allows clients to have a direct influence on shaping their community through advocacy and justice.
• An overview of the court systems in Pennsylvania. Allowing us to provide a 30,000 ft. view of the systems that impact Pennsylvanians every day. (image attached to email)