Brownstone Law represents clients in federal civil and criminal appeals nationwide, helping identify appealable errors and develop focused appellate strategies. Our federal appellate lawyers handle the process from record review and brief preparation through oral argument and post-decision proceedings, when appropriate.
Because federal appeal deadlines can be short, prompt review matters. If you are considering an appeal or have recently received a federal judgment or order, contact Brownstone Law for a no-cost federal appeal evaluation.
Call (888) 233-8895 or send us an email at robert@brownstonelaw.com
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.
A federal appeal is a request for a federal appellate court to review a judgment or appealable order entered by a U.S. district court or, in certain matters, a decision by a federal agency or another authorized tribunal.
The U.S. Courts explain that courts of appeals review lower-court procedures and decisions to determine whether the proceedings were fair and the law was applied correctly.
A federal appeal does not ordinarily ask appellate judges to decide which witnesses were more believable or to consider an entirely new version of the case. Instead, the court generally examines:
Most appeals are decided by a panel of three circuit judges. The panel may affirm the lower court, reverse or vacate all or part of its decision, modify the judgment, remand the matter for further proceedings, or dismiss the appeal.
Before recommending an appeal, our attorneys examine whether the court entered an appealable judgment or order, which deadline applies, whether important issues were preserved, and what relief the appellate court may have authority to grant.
An initial evaluation may include review of:
A case evaluation is not a promise that an appeal will be accepted or that relief is available. Its purpose is to identify the correct procedural position and determine whether a detailed appellate review is appropriate.
Federal appellate cases are usually decided from the record created in the lower court. Our federal appellate attorneys examine that record to identify reviewable legal, procedural, evidentiary, sentencing, or constitutional issues.
The review may consider:
A strong federal appeal is not necessarily the one containing the most arguments. Including numerous weak issues can distract from the arguments most likely to receive meaningful appellate consideration.
Brownstone Law develops an issue-focused strategy by evaluating:
Written briefs are central to federal appellate advocacy. Our lawyers prepare briefs that explain the procedural history, relevant facts, standard of review, governing law, claimed error, resulting prejudice, and requested relief.
Depending on the client’s position, our services may include:
Every factual statement must be supported by the record, and every legal argument must comply with the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure and the local rules of the applicable circuit.
Written briefs are central to federal appellate advocacy. Our lawyers prepare briefs that explain the procedural history, relevant facts, standard of review, governing law, claimed error, resulting prejudice, and requested relief.
Depending on the client’s position, our services may include:
Every factual statement must be supported by the record, and every legal argument must comply with the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure and the local rules of the applicable circuit.
An appellate decision may create additional legal and strategic questions. Brownstone Law can evaluate:
Each option has distinct standards and deadlines. Further review is not automatic merely because a party disagrees with the appellate decision.
A federal criminal appeal may challenge a conviction, sentence, or another appealable criminal order.
Potential issues may include:
Brownstone Law evaluates federal criminal appeals involving matters such as fraud, healthcare fraud, securities offenses, tax offenses, RICO and conspiracy, drug offenses, firearms convictions, public corruption, and other federal charges.
The existence of a federal charge does not itself create an appellate issue. The appeal must identify a reviewable error affecting the conviction, sentence, or another appealable ruling.
Learn more about our criminal appeals lawyers.
Federal civil appeals can arise from judgments entered after trial, dismissals, summary-judgment rulings, injunctions, post-trial decisions, and other appealable orders.
Our federal civil appeal lawyers evaluate matters involving:
Brownstone Law may represent the party challenging the ruling or the party defending the existing judgment.
Learn more about our civil appeals lawyers.
A federal sentencing appeal may challenge whether the district court correctly interpreted the governing statute, calculated the Sentencing Guidelines, followed required procedures, considered permissible factors, and adequately explained the sentence.
Not every disagreement with a sentence establishes appellate error. Counsel must consider the standard of review, objections made at sentencing, any appeal waiver, the statutory range, and the district court’s stated reasons.
Learn more about Brownstone Law’s federal sentencing representation.
Federal appellate issues may also involve:
The constitutional issue must be connected to an appealable ruling and properly presented under the applicable rules.
We also handle bond motions pending appeal in federal courts, which are crucial for many clients awaiting their appeal outcomes.
Federal courts sometimes review bond motions to determine if the appeal raises significant issues. Here are a few examples where bond motions were denied due to the nature of the claims:
In these cases, courts focused on the legal strength of the claims. If the issues raised are serious and well-founded, they are often considered significant. At Brownstone Law, we have the experience to properly handle your appeal and fight for bond motions when needed.
Our federal appellate lawyers serve clients nationwide, handling cases across all Federal Circuit Courts of Appeal. Here is the full list of federal circuits in which we represent clients:
| Circuit | Court Information |
|---|---|
| 1st Circuit | United States Court Of Appeals |
| 2nd Circuit | United States Court Of Appeals |
| 3rd Circuit | United States Court Of Appeals |
| 4th Circuit | United States Court Of Appeals |
| 5th Circuit | United States Court Of Appeals |
| 6th Circuit | United States Court Of Appeals |
| 7th Circuit | United States Court Of Appeals |
| 8th Circuit | United States Court Of Appeals |
| 9th Circuit | United States Court Of Appeals |
| 10th Circuit | United States Court Of Appeals |
| 11th Circuit | United States Court Of Appeals |
| Federal Circuit Court Of Appeals | United States Court Of Appeals |
| U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit | United States Court Of Appeals |
Brownstone Law specializes in post-conviction relief and habeas corpus appeals, which are vital tools for challenging wrongful convictions and securing justice after all other avenues of appeal have been exhausted. These legal processes are crucial for individuals seeking to correct legal errors, assert constitutional violations, or prove their innocence.
Habeas Corpus is a key method for challenging wrongful convictions. Once all rights to appeal have been exhausted, a habeas corpus petition allows a defendant to claim that their detention is unlawful. If successful, it can lead to a reduced sentence or a new trial if it is proven that the original trial was unfair or that constitutional rights were violated.
Post-conviction relief involves filing motions to vacate sentences, seek sentence reductions, or request new trials based on newly discovered evidence or other legal errors. These actions give individuals another chance at justice after their conviction, providing hope for a more favorable outcome.
Federal appeal deadlines depend on the type of case, the parties, the judgment or order, and any qualifying post-judgment motions.
Common starting points under Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 4 include:
| Type of appeal | General deadline |
|---|---|
| Federal criminal appeal by a defendant | Generally 14 days after the later of entry of the judgment or order or the government’s notice of appeal |
| Most federal civil appeals | Generally 30 days after entry of the judgment or appealable order |
| Qualifying civil case involving the United States or certain federal parties | Generally 60 days |
| Interlocutory or permission-based appeal | The applicable statute and procedural rule control |
Contact appellate counsel immediately after an adverse federal ruling.
A federal appeal commonly takes approximately 9 to 24 months from the notice of appeal to a final decision. However, the latest national court data shows that appeals decided on the merits typically reach a decision in about 10 to 12 months.
According to the U.S. Courts’ 2025 Table B-4A, the median time from the notice of appeal to the final opinion or order was:
Timing also varies by circuit. During the same reporting period:
Typical Stages of a Federal Appeal
The federal judiciary reported the following national median intervals:
These are separate medians and should not be added together to predict an individual case. Some appeals are decided without oral argument.
A federal appeal may take longer because of transcript delays, a large record, complex issues, briefing extensions, appellate motions, supplemental briefing, or the circuit’s caseload. Rehearing or Supreme Court review can extend the matter further, while proceedings after a remand are separate from the initial appeal.
Brownstone Law’s appellate practice is led by President and Managing Partner Robert L. Sirianni Jr., whose practice is devoted to federal and state appeals, writs, constitutional matters, and post-conviction proceedings.
His background includes experience as a prosecutor and as a law clerk with the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of the Solicitor General, where he assisted with research and appellate briefs filed before the U.S. Supreme Court. His profile also lists admissions in multiple states, the U.S. Supreme Court, and the regional federal courts of appeals.
Brownstone Law provides:
No particular result can be promised. Every appeal depends on its record, procedural history, governing law, and standard of review.
When contacting the firm, provide the court, case number, judgment date, relevant ruling, pending post-judgment motions, and notice of appeal, if filed.
Call (888) 233-8895 or submit the online case-evaluation form.
Submitting an inquiry does not create an attorney-client relationship or guarantee representation or appellate relief.
Contact our expert federal appeal attorneys today to discuss your case, and let us help you fight for your rights!
In a federal appeal, a party can argue that the trial court made a legal, procedural, constitutional, evidentiary, or sentencing error that affected the outcome.
Common grounds include:
The argument must be supported by the existing trial-court record. The appellant must also show that the issue was preserved, identify the standard of review, explain why the error was harmful, and request an appropriate remedy.
No. A federal appeal cannot be filed in any district or circuit chosen by the appellant. The notice of appeal is generally filed with the same federal district court that entered the judgment or order, and the appeal is then heard by the U.S. Court of Appeals responsible for that district.
For example:
Certain specialized cases may go to the Federal Circuit, and some federal-agency appeals follow different statutory rules. Filing in the wrong court can create serious deadline or jurisdictional problems, so the correct appellate court should be identified before filing.
A federal appeal generally begins by filing a notice of appeal with the clerk of the federal district court that entered the judgment or order. The notice identifies the appealing party, the decision being appealed, and the appropriate court of appeals.
The deadline is usually:
The appellant must also pay the applicable filing fee, approximately $600, or qualify to proceed without prepayment. Some post-judgment motions can change the deadline. Because missing the applicable deadline may prevent appellate review, counsel should examine the judgment, docket, and applicable court rules immediately.
A federal court of appeals decision may be overturned or changed through panel rehearing, rehearing en banc, or review by the U.S. Supreme Court.
The available options include:
Further review is not automatic. Rehearing petitions are granted only in limited circumstances, and the Supreme Court accepts only a small percentage of cases. Strict filing deadlines apply to each option.
Most federal appeals are decided by a panel of three circuit judges. The judges review the written briefs, examine the record, and may hear oral argument before issuing a decision.
If rehearing en banc is granted, more judges participate. In most circuits, the case is reconsidered by all active circuit judges who are eligible to serve. The Ninth Circuit generally uses an 11-judge en banc panel.
Certain procedural motions may be considered by a single judge, but the merits of a federal appeal are ordinarily decided by a three-judge panel.
To find the best federal defense attorney, look for a lawyer with specific experience in federal criminal cases, the charges involved, and the federal court handling the case.
Evaluate whether the attorney:
Verify the lawyer’s licensing, disciplinary history, federal case experience, and claimed results. Avoid any attorney who guarantees dismissal, acquittal, a reduced sentence, or another specific outcome.
Federal appeals are generally handled by one of the 13 circuits of the Court of Appeals, which are organized geographically. The jurisdiction of each circuit encompasses the federal district courts in the following regions:
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