Appeal Lawyers In Florida

Determined. Experienced. Passionate.

When you can’t afford to lose your appeal, you need a certified appellate attorney. 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.

Trusted Florida Appellate Attorney for Civil & Criminal Appeals

Appeals are very different from trials, so it’s important to have a legal expert who specializes in handling appeals.

Florida Criminal Appeals Lawyers

If you were convicted of a federal white collar crime in Florida, you still have the right to appeal. Our attorneys focus exclusively on federal white collar crime appeals and are experienced in handling complex legal challenges after trial.

Here’s how we can help with your criminal appeal:

We offer skilled and focused representation throughout the Florida appeals system—from county court appeals to the highest state and federal levels.

Florida Civil Appeals Attorneys

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:

Whether you’re challenging a court ruling or defending a favorable decision, our appellate team is prepared to manage every step of the civil appeal process.

Circuit Courts of Florida

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

Why Choose Our Florida Appellate Lawyers?

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.

Common issues that may justify an appeal include:

Image- 1

How Do We Handle Your Appeal?

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:

Before or During Trial

  • Advise on appeal-related strategies
  • Draft motions in limine, jury instructions, and verdict forms
  • Help trial counsel prepare for legal arguments

After Trial

  • File appeals in Florida state and federal courts
  • Prepare appellate briefs and argue before appellate judges
  • Draft responses to opposing appeals
  • File interlocutory petitions where allowed
  • Represent clients in regulatory and administrative appeals

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.

What If You Win the Appeal?

If the appellate court rules in your favor, a few things might happen:

  • The case may go back to the trial court for a new trial or a new sentencing.
  • In some cases, the conviction could be overturned, and you may be released.
However, the government may respond by:
  • Asking the appellate court to rehear the case, or
  • Filing a petition to the U.S. Supreme Court (called a writ of certiorari).

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.

How Does Brownstone Serve Florida?

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.

Cities We Serve Across Florida

Our Florida appellate lawyers proudly serve clients in cities across the state, including:

Appeals by the Numbers

Courts of Appeal across the U.S.
0
New appellate cases filed each year
0
9th Circuit is currently the busiest U.S.Circuit Court of Appeals
0

Our appellate lawyers know how to navigate this court’s rules and expectations, giving your case the strategic advantage it needs on appeal.

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.

Federal Courthouses We Serve in Florida

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.

Consult Our Florida Appeals Lawyers Today!

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.

Florida’s District Courts of Appeal

Florida has five District Courts of Appeal (DCA). Each one handles appeals from different regions of the state:

First District Court of Appeal

  • Location: Tallahassee
  • Handles appeals from North Florida, including Tallahassee.

Second District Court of Appeal

  • Location: Lakeland
  • Serves the west-central part of the state.

Third District Court of Appeal

  • Location: Miami
  • Manages cases from South Florida, including Miami-Dade.

Fourth District Court of Appeal

  • Location: West Palm Beach
  • Covers civil and criminal appeals from Southeast Florida.

Fifth District Court of Appeal

  • Location: Daytona Beach
  • (serving Orlando, Volusia County, and surrounding areas).

News and Publications: Florida Appeals

Suzanne Harvey, etc. v. Geico General Insurance Company
Florida Civil Appeal (Florida Supreme Court) (2018)
This case involves the application of the law of bad faith, which imposes a fiduciary obligation on an insurer to protect its insured from a judgment that exceeds the limits of the insured’s policy.  The specific issue, in this case, is whether the Fourth District Court of Appeal misapplied this Court’s bad faith precedent and relied on inapplicable federal precedent when it reversed the judgment entered in favor of the insured after a jury found that the insurer acted in bad faith in failing to settle the claim.  GEICO Gen. Ins. Co. v. Harvey, 208 So. 3d 810, 812 (Fla. 4th DCA 2017).  The Fourth District concluded that “the evidence was insufficient as a matter of law to show that the insurer acted in bad faith,” and, “even if the insurer’s conduct were deficient, the insurer’s actions did not cause the excess judgment.”  Id.  Read more about civil appellate attorneys FloridaFlorida Civil Appeals
Jermaine Foster v. State of Florida (Florida Supreme Court)
Criminal Appeal in Florida (2018)
This case is before the Court on appeal from an order denying a successive motion to vacate two sentences of death under Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.851. We have jurisdiction. See art. V, § 3(b)(1), Fla. Const. Foster contends that the 3.850 post-conviction courts erred in summarily denying the three claims raised in his motion. The first claim is one of intellectual disability, raised pursuant to the United States Supreme Court’s decision in Hall v. Florida, 572 U.S. 701 (2014), and the second and third claims seek relief pursuant to Hurst v. Florida, 136 S. Ct. 616 (2016), and this Court’s decision on remand in Hurst v. State, 202 So. 3d 40 (Fla. 2016), cert. denied, 137 S. Ct. 2161 (2017).  Read more about this Florida criminal appealsFlorida Criminal Appeals
Rashia Wilson. v. United States of America
December 4, 2014; Case No. 13-13468

Brownstone overturns verdict in Rashia Wilson appeal to the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals. In Appeal No. 13-13468, Rashia Wilson, pursuant to a plea agreement, pleaded guilty to two counts of a 57-count indictment returned against her and Maurice J. Larry: Count Three, wire fraud committed on April 21, 2012, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1343; and Count Forty-Seven, aggravated identity theft committed the same day in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1028A.

Read the opinion vacating the case and charges for tax fraud. Rashia Wilson

Jeffrey Michael Smith Jr. v. State of Florida
May 12th 2014 Case No. 2D13-4299

Following a jury trial, Mr. Smith explained to the Trial Court that a seated juror may have failed to disclose that she knew details about his case during jury selection. Mr. Smith requested to interview the juror. The Trial Court denied Mr.Smith’s request. Download Appellant’s Complete Initial Brief

Patrick James Clark v. State of Florida
May 15th 2014 Case No. 5D14-320

The Appellant, Patrick James Clark, by and through the undersigned counsel and pursuant to Rule 9.141(b)(3) of the Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure, hereby appeals the denial of his Amended Motion for Post-Conviction Relief. This Court has jurisdiction over the instant appeal pursuant to Rule 9.110(b) of the Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure. Download Appellant’s Complete Initial Brief

Michael Boyington v. State of Florida
March 21st, 2013 Case No. 06-514-CF

This case arises from allegations that Petitioner shot Mr. Aprid Balint (“Mr. Balint”) with a .44 caliber rifle on October 20, 2006 as Mr. Balint menacingly waived a bush axe and advanced towards Petitioner. Read more about this Florida appeal here: Boyington v. Florida – Supreme Court of Florida – First District Court of Appeal

License Acquisitions v. Debary Real Estate Holdings
Case No. SC-13-968

Appellants, the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering (DBPR), License Acquisitions, LLC, and West Volusia Racing, Inc., f/k/a Volusia Jai-Alai, Inc., appeal the First District’s per curiam decision declaring section 550.054(14)(a) to be invalid as a special law enacted without either providing advance notice of intent to enact the law or conditioning the law’s effectiveness upon a referendum of the electors of the areas affected in violation of article III, section 10, of the Florida Constitution. Based on this ruling, the district court concluded that the trial court should have granted the appellees’ motion for summary judgment.

Read more about this Florida appeal here: License Acquisitions v. Debary Real Estate Holdings

Alan Wade v. State of Florida
Case No. SC-13-1003

Appellant, Alan Lyndell Wade appeals an order of the circuit court denying his motion to vacate his convictions and sentences—including two convictions for first-degree murder and two sentences of death—filed under Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.851. Wade was convicted of two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of kidnapping, and two counts of robbery in connection with the murders of Carol and Reggie Sumner in July 2005. Wade v. State, 41 So. 3d 857, 862 (Fla. 2010). Wade and his codefendants, Michael Jackson and Tiffany Cole, were tried separately for the crimes. Bruce Nixon was also involved in the crimes but pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree murder and received concurrent sentences of forty-five years in prison.

Read more about this Florida Supreme Court Criminal appeal here: Florida Criminal Appeal – Alan Wade v. State of Florida

Get Appeal Evaluation

isolated-justice-scales-symbol-white-background_1308-114944-removebg-preview
Our experienced attorneys will review your case and provide feedback on your appeal options.
All consultations are protected by attorney-client privilege. We respect your privacy and will not share your information.

Talk to a Florida Appeal Lawyer Today

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.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Florida Court of Appeals System

1. What is the structure of the Florida Court of Appeals?

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. 

2. What types of cases do the District Courts of Appeal handle?

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.

3. How are judges appointed to the District Courts of Appeal?

Judges are appointed through a merit-based process:

  1. Nomination: The Judicial Nominating Commission recommends qualified candidates.
  2. Appointment: The Governor appoints judges from the commission's recommendations.
  3. 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.

4. What is the process for appealing a case to a District Court of Appeal?

To appeal a case:

  1. 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.
  2. Prepare the Record on Appeal: Compile relevant documents, evidence, and transcripts from the trial court proceedings.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.

5. Can decisions from the District Courts of Appeal be further appealed?

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.

6. How can I access information about a specific appellate case in Florida?

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.

7. Are oral arguments mandatory in the appellate process?

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.

8. What is the role of precedent in the decisions of the District Courts of Appeal?

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.

9. How long does the appellate process typically take in Florida?

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.

10. Do I need an attorney to file an appeal in the District Courts of Appeal?

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. 

Read What Our Clients Says

Jerome Brown

Jerome Brown

I recently engaged Brownstone PA for legal assistance, and I couldn't be happier with the service I received. The lawyers were thorough, attentive, and always had my best interests in mind. They guided me through the legal process, explaining everything in a clear and concise manner. I felt confident in their abilities and trusted their expertise. I highly recommend Brownstone PA for their exceptional legal services.
Alyssa Lin

Alyssa Lin

Brownstone PA is a highly professional and reliable law firm. The lawyers I worked with were knowledgeable, approachable, and provided me with excellent legal representation. They were responsive to my concerns and kept me informed throughout the entire process. The attention to detail and dedication to achieving the best possible outcome were evident in their work. I highly recommend Brownstone PA for anyone in need of legal assistance.
Amily Moalin

Amily Moalin

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.
DMCA Protection Status Urgent Care Texas