Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Appellate Practice Lawyers

What sets up apart:

We are uniquely positioned as a one-stop firm for both trial and appellate representation; we do not refer your case out if an appeal arises. By keeping appeals in-house, we save you the time and expense of searching for and onboarding a separate appellate attorney, while ensuring continuity and a consistent legal strategy. Our team is equipped to handle appeals at every level at both the state level and federally, from Magistrate matters through the Supreme Court of the United States. We approach lower-court litigation with an eye toward preserving the record and laying the groundwork for a potential appeal well before deadlines are looming. We are mindful stewards of our clients' resources and recognize that appeals are complex, research-intensive, and highly procedural. Our team understands when an appeal is appropriate, when it is not, and when court permission may be required before moving forward. As a result, we focus on strategies that maximize the likelihood of success rather than pursuing unnecessary motion practice.

Appellate Advocacy

When the outcome of a case matters, experience on appeal can make all the difference between winning and losing. 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.

• Continuity of representation: Having the same law firm handle both the trial (lower court) proceedings and any appeal creates seamless continuity from start to finish, while also decreasing costs.
• Stronger strategic planning: When appellate counsel is involved early, and especially when it’s the same lawyer, key issues can be identified and preserved in the record with a potential appeal in mind.
• More efficient transition to appeal: If an appeal becomes necessary, the attorney already knows the facts, procedural history, and rulings, allowing for faster, more focused appellate strategy.
• Consistent legal narrative: A single attorney can maintain a clear, consistent argument across both courts, strengthening the overall presentation of the case.
• Preserves issues and record: Consistent counsel helps ensure objections are timely made, arguments are clearly presented, and the record is properly developed, so appealable issues are not inadvertently waived.

Why Choose Very Law?

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

Proven Appellate Success

Our attorneys have a track record of delivering meaningful results on appeal  Notably, a Very Law Associate 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.

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

Accomplishments in Appeals:

• Achieved a Superior Court reversal of a trial court’s denial of dismissal at the preliminary objection stage in a matter involving the expansion of an express easement by necessity.
• Our attorneys have been admitted to practice, and have argued, before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.
• Ryan Very is also admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the United States.
• All attorneys are admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania.
• Our attorneys have appellate experience in criminal matters as well as civil rights cases.
• Our team has handled matters at the appellate level across a range of issues and forums.

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.

What are things we can do at trial to preserve the right to appeal?

• Raising objections and making a record of objections.
• Ensuring that all pleadings and motions are properly filed with the trial court and included in the record. Some attorneys may fail to file a motion with the court, therefore forfeiting the right to raise it on appeal.
• Being prepared for tight post trial motion deadlines.
• Intense attention to detail that we pride ourselves on meeting.

How do appeals work?

• Most civil cases begin in the trial courts, such as the Court of Common Pleas. A party can appeal a judgement or ruling in a lower court, sending the case to the Superior Court where the merits of the case will be reviewed. If needed, the case can then move onto the PA Supreme Court, and if warranted, to the Supreme Court of the United States.
• Federal cases generally begin in the U.S. District Court. If a party appeals the outcome, the appeal is heard by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, and in limited circumstances, the case may be reviewed by the Supreme Court of the United States.
• It is important to note that an appeal is not a new trial, but the consideration of a higher court to determine if there was an error in the lower court. Appellate judges review written legal arguments to determine if a significant procedural mistake was made. 
• The lowest court is the Magistrate District Court and a party can typically appeal to the Arbitration Division of the Court of Common Pleas (when applicable), then to the Court of Common Pleas (General Docket/Civil Division), then to the Pennsylvania Superior Court or the Commonwealth Court, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, and finally the U.S. Supreme Court.
  
  If your judgment says, “Any party has the right to appeal within 30 days after the entry of judgment by filing a notice of appeal with the Prothonotary/Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, Civil Division,” that language is commonly referring to the 30-day appeal deadline and the process to file a notice of appeal with the Prothonotary/Clerk in the Court of Common Pleas (Civil Division).