Advanced Appellate Practice

In this course, experienced appellate attorneys Austin Atkinson and Betsy Moran will address complex and crucial topics in appellate law. Atkinson and Moran will discuss many key elements, such as the importance of preserving challenges to charges and of challenging jury charges. From comprehending and taking advantage of different appellate standards of review to avoiding common pitfalls in verdict forms, this course is essential for attorneys practicing appellate law.

Attendees will learn strategies for preserving error related to charges and verdict forms and distinguishing reversible error from harmless error. This course will also teach how to understand and avoid – or exploit – common scenarios in which a potentially reversible error becomes harmless. Additionally, attendees will learn to identify the most common standards of review and how they impact the decision to appeal, choice of issues for appeal, briefing, and argument.

This program is geared toward attorneys who are developing an appellate practice and/or have moderate experience in the field. Trial attorneys are also welcome, as many of these issues begin at the trial level.

Learning Objectives:

• Discover the importance of preserving error in jury charges and verdict forms
• Utilize error in jury charges and verdict forms on appeal.
• Identify the primary standards of review and the benefits and drawbacks of each
• Identify and capitalize on common scenarios that involve “layered” or nuanced review standards
• Apply  the concepts of reversible error and harmless error and how to apply them in your briefing and argument
• Analyze common scenarios that result in harmless error and avoid or utilize them