Whether you're an appellate practitioner—focusing on criminal or civil appeals—or have argued only a few appellate cases, this program provides valuable insight into appellate practice. Success on appeal depends on more than the attorney's knowledge of the law, the rules of appellate procedure, and the techniques of brief writing and oral argument. It begins in the trial court, where issues need to be properly preserved and the record created. Strategic choices about filing a motion for new trial or proceeding with the appeal, selecting the documents to be included in the appellate record, and designation of issues to raise on appeal are critically important to gaining the confidence of the client and maximizing the likelihood of success.
The current economic climate has caused financial hardships for all participants in the system. The panel identifies current difficulties and discusses how they can be addressed to accomplish justice.
The expert panel includes appellate judges with more than 100 years of combined experience on the bench, appellate chiefs from DA's offices across the state, defense lawyers with both civil and criminal experience, law school faculty, and court clerks. Together, they teach you how to handle an appeal effectively, including developing legal strategies, writing persuasive briefs, presenting meaningful oral arguments, navigating complex procedural requirements, and developing business plans. You also learn how to apply recently changed court rules concerning the preservation of confidential information and about new ways to use emerging digital technologies in your practice.
MCLE webcasts are delivered completely online, underscoring their convenience and appeal. There are no published print materials. All written materials are available electronically only. They are posted 24 hours prior to the program and can be accessed, downloaded, or printed from your computer.