I am a 1984 graduate of Harvard Law School and a former Massachusetts state prosecutor. I have been in private practice since 1989 and have handled more than 400 criminal and civil appeals. I have also written hundreds of post judgment motions, petitions and other pleadings, and close to 1,000 pretrial motions. In addition to my skills as a lawyer, my expertise in the use of technology assures clients of the highest quality work, prepared quickly and in a cost-effective manner.
Challenging A Verdict
As an appellate lawyer, I am often called upon to handle cases where all else has failed. Winning on appeal is never a simple matter, as lower court verdicts are presumed to be correct. To convince an appellate court to overturn a criminal conviction or civil verdict generally requires a showing either that the trial judge misapplied the law or that the law should be changed. Making such a showing requires careful and thorough review of the record in the case, comprehensive and meticulous research of the law relating to the issues raised, a clear and concise brief, and a forceful oral presentation.
Because relatively few appeals result in the requested relief for the appealing party, prior to undertaking any appeal, prospective clients should understand what can and cannot be accomplished through the appellate process. Prior to accepting your case, I will explain the costs, risks, and potential benefits of undertaking an appeal. Since the appellate courts follow a unique set of rules and procedures, I will also explain each step of the appellate process.
Defending A Verdict
I frequently represent the party appealing a judgment of the trial court. Representation of clients in this posture requires convincing the appellate court that the trial court decided the matter correctly or that mistakes made by the court and/or the lawyers below were not sufficiently egregious to warrant reversal of the judgment.
Consulting and Litigation Support
It is often said that the best place to win an appeal is in the trial court. I work with lawyers and law firms in both civil and criminal matters in devising litigation strategy and in preparing motions and pleadings. This approach often leads to favorable results in the trial courts, but even when the trial court rules against us, the motions, memoranda and other pleadings can set the stage for a win on appeal.
In addition, one of the most important functions of a lawyer is to advise the client when taking the next step is or is not in his or her best interests. Among the services I provide are case evaluation and consultation to help clients decide whether and how to proceed with a case.