Brownstone Law: Atlanta Federal & State Appellate Litigation Law Firm
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Appellate litigation is a completely separate legal discipline from trial work as it requires a specialized skill set including advanced legal research, meticulous brief writing, and persuasive oral advocacy.
Led by senior appellate advocate Robert Sirianni, the team at Brownstone Law provides comprehensive federal and state appellate representation throughout Georgia.
With over 25 years of experience at all levels of the appellate process, our firm features a prestigious team of former judicial law clerks, former prosecutors, and members of the Order of the Coif.
Comprehensive Appellate Practice Areas in Georgia
Federal Criminal Appeals & Post-Conviction Relief
We also handle health care fraud appeals such as:
- Billing for services that were not actually completed or provided
- Billing for unnecessary medical services
- Double billing, upcoding, and bundling
- Fraudulent cost reporting by providers and kickbacks
Other criminal appeal cases we handle include:
- Insurance and financial fraud
- Business torts
- Copyright infringement
- Medicare fraud
- Improper solicitation of patients
- Internet pharmacy violations
- HUD appeals
- Customs enforcement
- International trade commission appeals
We may help you secure:
- New trials
- Reduced sentences
- Acquittals
The appeal attorneys at our law office are experienced in all types of post-conviction relief, Georgia habeas corpus, and federal writs to appeal a conviction or sentence.
Civil & Commercial Appellate Litigation
Our Atlanta, Georgia appellate law firm handles a diverse array of civil appeals in state courts, including:
- Property and commercial disputes
- Contracts, torts, and business disputes
- Family law and corporate cases
We can represent large banks, individuals, corporations, and insurance carriers.
Federal and State Court Jurisdictions We Serve
We understand the complexities of federal appeals and bring expertise to every case we take on.
Federal Courts
Our appellate law firm represents clients appealing cases from Georgia’s federal district courts to the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, as well as the United States Supreme Court.
Georgia State Courts
We represent clients across all Georgia state appellate courts, including the Supreme Court of Georgia. Most initial state-level appeals originate at the Court of Appeals of Georgia, located in Fulton County.
County Coverage
Our appellate practice covers cases originating throughout the following counties:
- Cherokee
- Clayton
- Cobb
- DeKalb
- Douglas
- Fayette
- Forsyth
- Gwinnett
- Henry
- Rockdale
Understanding the Grounds and Outcomes of a Georgia Appeal
A Georgia appeal allows you to take a case to a higher appellate court in Georgia to review the trial court’s record and change the outcome based on errors made during the trial.
It is important to understand that the success rate for appeals is generally much lower. Your lawyer can advise you on whether or not it would be worthwhile to pursue an appeal.
The 3 Primary Grounds for an Appeal in Georgia
Error of Law
If an error of law was committed at the trial court that could have substantially altered the verdict, then you must appeal in a Georgia appellate court. Errors can be anything from an incorrect interpretation of a constitutional right and wrongful admission of evidence to providing incorrect instructions to the jury on an important question of law.
Miscarriage of Justice
If there exist both factual errors and errors of law, then you can appeal on the grounds of a miscarriage of justice. Instances include a biased jury member or the judge refusing to provide the non-English speaking defendant an interpreter.
Unreasonable Verdict
To pursue grounds of unreasonable verdict, a persuasive brief explaining the weakness of the evidence must be presented. This approach is, however, less frequently taken (unless there are strong reasons to consider it), as appellate courts are neither interested in nor in a position to assess all the evidence presented at trial.
The 5 Appellate Court Rulings
Affirm
Vacate
Remand
Acquit
Modify
News and Publications: Atlanta Cases
Appeal lawyers for Georgia and civil and criminal appeals. Connect with our appeals attorneys for Atlanta, Savannah, Columbus, Macon, and Augusta.
2870 Peechtree Road, Atlanta, Georgia, 30305, US
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How long do I have to file a criminal or civil appeal in Georgia?
Appellate procedures are highly technical and deadline-driven, meaning you must act quickly. Under Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 5-6-38), the absolute deadline to file a direct Notice of Appeal is 30 days from the date the judge enters the final sentencing judgment or trial order. If a Motion for New Trial is filed, the 30-day window to appeal begins on the date that motion is officially decided (O.C.G.A. § 5-6-38(a)). Because missing these precise windows can permanently cause the courts to lose jurisdiction over your case, immediate action is vital.
2. What is the difference between a trial court and an appellate court?
A trial determines guilt, innocence, or liability by evaluating new evidence, witness testimonies, and physical facts. An appellate court operates on a completely different level—it is not a retrial. A panel of judges reviews the written record from the lower court purely to determine if legal mistakes occurred. Appellate courts are neither interested in nor in a position to assess all the raw evidence presented at trial; their singular focus is ensuring the law was applied correctly.
3. What are the legal steps involved in the Georgia appellate process?
The complex legal journey moves through clear procedural stages:
- Filing the Notice of Appeal
- Preparing the Record
- Docketing
- Submitting Written Briefs
4. What are the most common grounds for getting a conviction overturned on appeal?
- Errors of Law: Wrongful admission of evidence, constitutional violations, or incorrect jury instructions.
- Abuses of Discretion: Situations where a trial judge handles sentencing errors unfairly or exceeds their legal jurisdiction.
- Miscarriage of Justice: Severe systemic issues, such as a biased juror or a refusal to provide a required interpreter.
5. What are the possible rulings or outcomes an appellate court can issue?
After a comprehensive review of the written arguments and trial records, the higher appellate court will issue one of five distinct legal rulings:
- Affirm
- Vacate
- Remand
- Acquit
- Modify