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Friday, April 15, 2005

Appeals: Don't be a victim of your own success.

Most advice about appellate advocacy is aimed at appellants. After all, it is appellants who are most in need of advice. Yesterday at the TTLA family law seminar in Nashville, Williamson County Circuit Court Judge Robert E. Lee Davies offered some good advice to potential appellees.

First, if you are wildly successful in the trial court, take a step back and assess the chances of preserving your victory on appeal. If you decide that you might have trouble on appeal, consider trying to settle the case while you have the advantage.

Second, if you do end up in the Court of Appeals, don't try to defend the indefensible. Conceding obvious points will preserve your credibility with the court and help you win the issues that you ought to win.

posted by Stephen Knight on 4/15/2005 Permalink   |