Overview

Whether defending a favorable judgment or challenging an adverse ruling, O’Hagan Meyer’s Appellate Practice Group works to preserve wins, reverse adverse outcomes, and position cases for success. With extensive appellate and trial experience, and an independent strategic perspective, our appellate lawyers identify opportunities, vulnerabilities, and arguments to influence outcomes on review.

We represent clients in state appellate courts and U.S. Courts of Appeals in matters involving significant legal questions, high-stakes disputes, and issues with operational or industry-wide impact. Our approach is informed by practical business considerations, including our clients’ immediate objectives, risk tolerance, and long-term goals.

Because our appellate lawyers also have substantial litigation and courtroom experience, we understand how cases are built, tried, and preserved for review. That insight informs how we evaluate discovery, evidentiary rulings, jury instructions, dispositive motions, and trial strategy when developing appellate arguments and assessing risk.

Appellate strategy often begins well before a notice of appeal is filed. Working alongside trial teams throughout litigation, we help preserve issues for review, assist with pre- and post-trial motions, address evidentiary objections, evaluate jury instructions and verdict forms, and protect the record. Integrating appellate thinking early can strengthen clients’ positions on appeal, reduce procedural obstacles, and support informed decision-making at critical stages of a dispute.

Our appellate experience includes matters involving:

Complex commercial disputes
Insurance coverage and bad faith litigation
Healthcare litigation and regulatory matters
Employment and labor disputes
Municipal and governmental liability claims
Professional liability litigation
Transportation and other high-exposure matters
Constitutional questions and civil rights claims
Administrative and regulatory appeals
Evidentiary rulings and expert witness disputes
Dispositive motions and liability determinations
Cases involving broader industry practices or operational impact
Matters advancing to Supreme Court review

Clients also benefit from our firm’s national litigation platform and experience across jurisdictions. We understand that effective appellate advocacy requires familiarity with differing procedural rules, judicial approaches, and regional legal developments. Combining geographic reach with in-depth knowledge of local rules, responsive communication, and industry knowledge, we deliver practical appellate guidance aligned with clients’ budgets, operational realities, and long-term objectives.