Determined. Experienced. Passionate.
Don’t risk your appeal by handling the entire situation all by yourself. Hire Brownstone Appellate Law Firm, which works to protect and defend your rights in important legal cases.
Our experienced attorneys will review your case and provide feedback on your appeal options at no cost.
All consultations are protected by attorney-client privilege. We respect your privacy and will not share your information.
When you can’t afford to lose your appeal, you need a certified appellate attorney. Moreover, appeals are very different from trials, so it’s important to have a legal expert who specializes in handling appeals.
Our attorneys are experienced in handling federal white-collar crime appeals and complex legal challenges after trial.
If you were convicted of a federal white-collar crime in Florida, you still have the right to appeal. We offer skilled and focused representation throughout the Florida appeals system—from county court appeals to the highest state and federal levels.
Our appellate lawyers also handle a wide range of civil appeals across Florida. These appeals involve decisions from non-criminal cases such as family law, property disputes, or business matters. We represent clients in:
We represent clients in a wide range of federal appellate matters, including:
Whether your case involves a civil or criminal issue, we’re equipped to argue effectively in any U.S. Court of Appeals.
Florida’s appellate landscape changed significantly in 2023. It is vital that your lawyer understands which court has jurisdiction over your case. Florida now has six District Courts of Appeal (DCAs):
| Court | Headquarters | Circuits Served |
|---|---|---|
| 1st DCA | Tallahassee | 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 8th, and 14th |
| 2nd DCA | Tampa/St. Pete | 6th, 12th, and 13th |
| 3rd DCA | Miami | 11th and 16th |
| 4th DCA | West Palm Beach | 15th, 17th, and 19th |
| 5th DCA | Daytona Beach | 5th, 7th, and 18th |
| 6th DCA | Lakeland | 9th (Orlando), 10th, and 20th |
Florida is divided into 20 judicial circuits, each covering specific counties:
| Circuit | Counties Served |
|---|---|
| 1st Circuit | Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton |
| 2nd Circuit | Gadsden, Franklin, Jefferson, Wakulla, Leon, Liberty |
| 3rd Circuit | Dixie, Lafayette, Madison, Hamilton, Columbia, Suwannee, Taylor |
| 4th Circuit | Clay, Duval, Nassau |
| 5th Circuit | Citrus, Hernando, Lake, Marion, Sumter |
| 6th Circuit | Pasco, Pinellas |
| 7th Circuit | Flagler, Putnam, St. Johns, Volusia |
| 8th Circuit | Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Gilchrist, Levy, Union |
| 9th Circuit | Orange, Osceola |
| 10th Circuit | Hardee, Highlands, Polk |
| 11th Circuit | Miami-Dade |
| 12th Circuit | DeSoto, Manatee, Sarasota |
| 13th Circuit | Hillsborough |
| 14th Circuit | Bay, Holmes, Gulf, Calhoun, Jackson, Washington |
| 15th Circuit | Palm Beach |
| 16th Circuit | Monroe |
| 17th Circuit | Broward |
| 18th Circuit | Seminole, Brevard |
| 19th Circuit | Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee, St. Lucie |
| 20th Circuit | Collier, Charlotte, Glades, Lee, Hendry |
At Brownstone Law, our mission is simple: We work hard to protect your rights and fight for a fair outcome in the appeals process. Our experienced appellate lawyers are committed to making sure your voice is heard and your case is treated fairly.
Our team has a lot of experience handling appeals in federal and Florida state courts.
We’ve helped many clients win appeals in criminal cases and business disputes.
We create a custom plan for each case to give you the best chance of success.
Our lawyers are well-versed in the Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure, ensuring every detail is considered.
Appeals are very different from trials. There’s no jury, no new evidence, and no witnesses. Instead, appellate judges review the trial record to determine whether legal or procedural mistakes were made.
If the appellate court identifies a mistake, it may:
Our Florida appellate attorneys support clients at all stages of the case—before, during, and after trial. We focus exclusively on appeals and can assist in a range of ways:
Whether you’re preparing for an appeal or responding to one, our focused appellate team works to protect your rights and seek a favorable outcome.
We offer skilled and focused representation throughout the Florida appeals system—from county court appeals to the highest state and federal levels.
If the appellate court rules in your favor, a few things might happen:
However, the government may respond by:
A writ of certiorari is not an automatic appeal—it’s simply a request asking the Supreme Court to review the case, and the Court decides whether or not to take it.
Our Florida appellate attorneys represent clients in federal civil and criminal appeals across the United States. We take cases from Florida’s federal trial courts to the U.S. Courts of Appeals, including the Eleventh Circuit, and beyond.
We are among the most experienced federal appellate firms in the country, handling complex and high-stakes appeals for clients in different cities.
Our Florida appellate lawyers proudly serve clients in cities across the state, including:
Our appellate lawyers appear in federal courts across the state, including:
401 W Central Blvd, Orlando, FL 32801
401 SE 1st Ave #307, Gainesville, FL 32601
We work statewide and are ready to represent you at the federal appellate level, no matter where your trial took place.
If you’re considering an appeal, don’t wait. Our team offers free consultations to review your case, explain your legal options, and guide you through the appellate process.
The Florida Court of Appeals, known as the District Courts of Appeal (DCAs), serves as the intermediate appellate courts in the state. As of January 1, 2023, Florida has six DCAs, each with jurisdiction over specific regions:
First District Court of Appeal: Headquartered in Tallahassee.
Second District Court of Appeal: Temporarily headquartered in Tampa until the new courthouse in St. Petersburg is completed.
Third District Court of Appeal: Headquartered in Miami.
Fourth District Court of Appeal: Headquartered in West Palm Beach.
Fifth District Court of Appeal: Headquartered in Daytona Beach.
Sixth District Court of Appeal: Headquartered in Lakeland.
These courts review decisions from lower trial courts and some administrative agencies.
The DCAs primarily review:
Final judgments: Decisions concluding a case in trial courts.
Certain non-final orders: Specific interim decisions that can significantly impact the case's outcome.
Administrative actions: Decisions from state agencies affecting substantial interests.
They do not conduct new trials but review the trial court's application of the law to ensure correctness.
Judges are appointed through a merit-based process:
Nomination: The Judicial Nominating Commission recommends qualified candidates.
Appointment: The Governor appoints judges from the commission's recommendations.
Retention: After appointment, judges face a "merit retention" vote in the next general election occurring more than one year after their appointment. If retained, they serve six-year terms.
This process ensures that judges are both qualified and accountable to the public.
To appeal a case:
File a Notice of Appeal: Submit this document to the clerk of the lower tribunal (trial court or agency) within 30 days of the judgment or order being appealed.
Prepare the Record on Appeal: Compile relevant documents, evidence, and transcripts from the trial court proceedings.
Submit Briefs: The appellant (party appealing) submits an initial brief outlining errors in the trial court's decision. The appellee (other party) responds with an answer brief, and the appellant may file a reply brief.
Oral Argument (optional): Parties may request to present their case orally before the judges, though the court may decide based solely on the written briefs.
Court's Decision: After reviewing the materials, the DCA will issue a written opinion.
It's essential to adhere to specific procedural rules and deadlines throughout this process.
Yes, parties can seek further review by:
Florida Supreme Court: This court has discretionary jurisdiction and may choose to review cases involving significant legal questions, conflicts between DCAs, or matters of great public importance.
U.S. Supreme Court: If a case involves federal law or constitutional issues, parties may petition for review by the nation's highest court.
However, both courts have selective criteria, and not all cases are accepted for review.
The Florida Appellate Case Information System (ACIS) provides public access to appellate case information. You can search for case details, dockets, and available documents at https://acis.flcourts.gov/. Note that while public information is accessible, certain documents may require registration or may be confidential.
No, oral arguments in Florida are not mandatory. Parties may request oral argument, but the court decides whether it will be beneficial. Many appeals are decided based solely on the written briefs and record without oral presentations.
Precedent ensures consistency and predictability in the law:
Binding Precedent: Decisions from the Florida Supreme Court are binding on all lower courts, including the DCAs.
Persuasive Precedent: Decisions from one Florida DCA are persuasive but not binding on other DCAs. However, trial courts within a DCA's jurisdiction must follow that DCA's rulings.
When DCAs have conflicting decisions on the same legal issue, the Florida Supreme Court may resolve the conflict to maintain uniformity.
The duration varies based on case complexity, court caseload, and other factors. Generally, the process can take several months to over a year from the filing of the notice of appeal to the court's decision. Timely submission of all documents and adherence to procedural rules can help prevent unnecessary delays.
While individuals have the right to represent themselves (pro se), appellate practice involves complex legal principles and strict procedural rules. An experienced appellate attorney can provide valuable assistance in filing an appeal in Florida. Robert Sirianni is an appeal lawyer in Florida and provides a consultation for an appellate case in Florida.
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I had a positive experience with Brownstone PA and their team of lawyers. They handled my case with utmost professionalism and achieved a favorable outcome. The lawyers at Brownstone PA were thorough in their approach, conducting in-depth research and providing well-crafted legal arguments. They were also compassionate and supportive throughout the process. I am grateful for their expertise and highly recommend their services.
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