Robinson+Cole Massachusetts Appellate Blog

Practice/Organization Description

The Robinson+Cole Massachusetts appellate lawyers follow the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, Appeals Court, and U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit closely. They have briefed and argued numerous appeals in the SJC, Appeals Court, First Circuit, and numerous other federal and state appellate courts nationwide.

Our team is well-versed in selecting issues for appeal, advising or assisting trial lawyers in preserving issues for appeal, and selecting and developing “test cases” at the trial level for the purpose of changing the law or developing new law. Our team has been successful in obtaining discretionary appellate review in the state and federal systems, including through single justice practice in Massachusetts appellate courts and discretionary interlocutory appeals in the federal courts of appeals. The team has also successfully obtained review by the Supreme Court of the United States.

Where our team stands out is in the quality of our briefing and the thoroughness of our preparation for oral argument. Our briefs are succinct, focused and easy to read, making it easier for busy appellate judges to get to the heart of the issue and understand why our client should win. We typically prepare for arguments with one or more moot courts (practice arguments) to test out our approaches and refine our strategy before the big day. There is no better feeling than being the one person in the courtroom who knows the most about the case and has anticipated virtually every question being asked. That is what we strive to achieve.