THE SKILLS THAT SUCCESSFUL APPEALS ATTORNEYS MUST POSSESS
Representing a client in civil appeal requires very detailed knowledge of the facts and the law, and sharp analyitical skills.
First, an appeals attorney must conscientiously gather all the documents generated at the trial level: court file, transcripts, exhibits, and experts’ reports,.
Second, an appeals attorney must very carefully read all of the documents, taking detailed notes. The lawyer must interview the client to learn facts about the case that are not found in the documents.
Third, an appeals lawyer must possess a working body of knowledge of the law. This is the mental resource the lawyer uses to identify possible issues for appeal. This stage requires that the appellate attorney have a fluid and creative mind. The attorney must have the mental ability to solve problems by access to routes other than those usually travelled by the less creative.
Fourth, an appeals attorney must know how to quickly and efficiently perform legal research to determine whether the law supports any of the possible issues for appeal.
Fifth, an appeals lawyer uses his or her powers of synthesis to combine the facts and the law to weave a tight and compelling legal arugment for the appeal. The attorney must be articulate both in writing the brief and in arguing orally before the appellate court.