Many professionals think of an appeal as something to worry about after trial. In reality, appeals are won — or lost — much earlier. They rest on arguments preserved in pre-trial motions and objections made at the right moment, and on building the record a higher court will one day review. At Maverick Litigation, we integrate appellate strategy into every case from the start, so that if a decision goes against you, you are positioned to challenge it.
Appellate Experience Across Three States
Appellate litigation is a distinct discipline, and many attorneys go entire careers without meaningful appellate work. Our attorneys, as former federal prosecutors, handled countless cases through both trial and appeal.
We have argued before the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, which hears federal appeals from West Virginia, and we handle federal appeals from Ohio and Pennsylvania in the Sixth and Third Circuits. On the state side, we appear before the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia, the Intermediate Court of Appeals of West Virginia, the Ohio courts of appeals, and Pennsylvania’s appellate courts. Our appellate practice spans federal criminal appeals, white-collar and tax convictions, complex commercial litigation, and catastrophic injury cases.
How Appeals Work
An appeal is not a new trial. There are no witnesses or juries; instead, the parties submit written briefs — and sometimes present oral argument — focused on specific legal errors in the proceedings below. The appellate court reviews those briefs together with the record: the evidence and transcripts from the lower court.
Appellate courts defer to the facts found at trial, but they review questions of law de novo, with no deference to the lower court. If the court finds error, it can reverse the decision and direct what happens next.
Because most grounds for appeal arise before or during trial, the strongest appellate representation starts early: either working alongside your trial team to preserve issues as they occur, or handling the case from investigation through final appeal. A trial attorney who doesn’t think like an appellate lawyer can overlook errors that would have won your appeal.
Why Maverick Litigation
Our three attorneys — including a former United States Attorney for the Northern District of West Virginia — have prosecuted high-profile federal cases, briefed and argued federal appeals for the government, and counseled individuals and corporations on civil and appellate matters in private practice. Having worked at every level of the civil and criminal process, we spot appellate issues early, preserve them, and protect your right to appeal.
We also know these courts. Decades of regular appearances in the federal and state courts mean we understand the appellate judges, the local rules, and how to present your case effectively. Appeals are slow and uncertain by nature; we manage that uncertainty with clear communication, careful analysis, and relentless advocacy.
Contact the Appellate Attorneys at Maverick Litigation
We handle civil and criminal appeals of every kind, and frequently manage cases from initial investigation through final appeal. If you are weighing an appeal — or want appellate eyes on a case headed to trial — contact our firm today at (304) 322-6625.