Maximize Your Success on Appeal:

Succeeding with an appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit requires a thorough understanding of the legal issues involved and the rules and procedures of the court. Here are a few tips that may increase your chances of success:

  1. Understand the standard of review: The standard of review is the level of deference that the appellate court will give to the lower court’s decision. Understanding the standard of review can help you to focus your arguments and tailor your brief accordingly.
  2. Hire an experienced appellate attorney: An experienced appellate attorney will be familiar with the rules and procedures of the court, and will be able to craft a strong argument on your behalf.
  3. File a clear and concise brief: The court may only have a limited amount of time to review your case, so it is important to file a brief that is clear, concise, and easy to read.
  4. Identify and preserve the errors: Identify the errors that the lower court made, and preserve those errors in the record on appeal.
  5. Be persuasive: Though the court will review the record, your brief should be persuasive in order to win the case. Be sure to cite relevant case law, statutes and other legal authorities that support your position.
  6. Be prepared for oral argument: Many appeals are decided based on the briefs alone, but some cases are set for oral argument. Be prepared to present your case in a clear and persuasive manner.
    It’s important to remember that the appeals process is complex, so it’s always best to seek the help of an experienced attorney who is familiar with the specific court.

United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit

Court Information:
Thurgood Marshall U.S. Courthouse,
40 Foley Square
New York, NY 10007
(212) 857-8500

NEW IMPORTANT NOTICE:

September 1, 2023 – ACMS to Expand Operations on October 1, 2023 – On October 1, 2023, the Second Circuit’s Appellate Case Management System (“ACMS”) will expand operations to all case types. Filings in appeals opened in the Court of Appeals on or after October 1, 2023 must be filed in ACMS. Attorneys who wish to learn how the system operates should email Eniola Ajayi at eniola_ajayi@ca2.uscourts.gov. Training will be held by Zoom on September 14th, 22nd, and 29th at 3:30 PM. Please include in the email subject line “ACMS Training” and indicate in the body of the email the session you would like to attend.

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