Supreme Court Lawyers

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Understanding U.S. Supreme Court Appeals

The U.S. Supreme Court is generally the final level of appeal in the United States court system. The highest court in the U.S. court system has discretionary jurisdiction, meaning it hears only a small percentage of cases.

A U.S. Supreme Court appellate lawyer files a petition for writ of certiorari to request that the Supreme Court review a lower court’s decision. You have 90 days to file a petition for writ of certiorari to the U.S. Supreme Court from the final order or judgment.

Appellate cases and writs before the Supreme Court of the United States are complex. We appear at oral argument to present the case before the Court. Clients benefit from our in-depth knowledge of the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure and federal process.

What Is a Petition for Writ of Certiorari?

A petition for writ of certiorari is a formal request to the Supreme Court to review a lower court’s decision. The petition must clearly identify significant legal issues that may involve a constitutional question, a conflict between appellate courts, or a matter of national importance. The court will grant certiorari only if your case has a broader legal impact beyond the individual dispute.

Even when you have legal grounds to file the petition, you must carefully structure your petition, write a high-quality brief, frame the legal questions, include strong legal arguments, and cite relevant precedent.

Does the U.S. Supreme Court Hear All Appeals?

The Court has discretionary jurisdiction, which means it chooses which cases to review. Each year, thousands of Americans file petitions for writ of certiorari, and most of them are denied without a detailed explanation.

How to File a Petition for Certiorari

You must strictly comply with the court’s procedural rules to file a petition.

File Within 90 Days

File the petition within 90 days. The timeline starts from the date of judgment, not from the issuance of the mandate.

Prepare the Petition in Proper Format

The petition must strictly comply with the court’s proper format and other requirements. Clearly present the legal questions, relevant facts, and reasons to request a review.

Pay Filing Fees

Pay the $300 fee or file a motion to proceed in forma pauperis to request a fee waiver if you cannot afford the filing cost.

Ensure Proper Filing Authority

The petition must be filed by a member of the Supreme Court bar or the petitioner acting pro se.

Submit Required Copies

According to Supreme Court Rule 12, you must file 40 copies of the petition. If proceeding in forma pauperis, you need an original and 10 copies.

File the Petition

Submit your petition to the Clerk of the Supreme Court. Representation by counsel requires electronic filing.

What Is a Writ of Mandamus?

A writ of mandamus is issued by the Supreme Court as a judicial remedy to require a subordinate court, public authority, or corporation to do (or not do) something. Though the writ of mandamus is not commonly issued by the modern United States Supreme Court, it is still a legal option that many of our clients are interested in seeking out.

If you are not receiving justice at the state level, then you may wish to petition for a writ of mandamus, requesting the Supreme Court to step in and help ensure the state law is upheld. Our firm is experienced in helping clients petition for a writ of mandamus.

Types of Appeals the U.S. Supreme Court Handles

The U.S. Supreme Court hears the following types of appeals:

  • Constitutional issues such as free speech, the Second Amendment
  • Conflicts between appellate courts
  • Interpretation or application of federal statutes or regulations
  • Cases that have a broad impact beyond the parties, such as nationwide policies, major regulatory questions
  • Appeals from the highest state courts involving federal law
  • Government-related disputes
  • Disputes between states

Why Choose Our Supreme Court Appellate Lawyers

Our Supreme Court appeal lawyers represent clients across the United States. As experienced U.S. Supreme Court lawyers, we defend victories for our clients and seek relief by filing an appeal for our clients on the losing end.

We understand the complex nature of arguing before the U.S. Supreme Court. Our attorneys include former law clerks and lawyers with experience filing petitions in the Supreme Court in both civil and criminal cases.

Supreme Court Appeals Attorneys

Our appellate practice team is led by Robert Sirianni, one of the most strategic appellate thinkers in his field. We have the experience to create solid briefs and arguments for our clients. The Supreme Court appeal attorneys at our firm have the experience necessary to help you with your fight against the government.

Federal Appellate Law Firm Experience

Appeals before the Supreme Court are always serious business. While most law firms dream of taking cases to the United States Supreme Court, our appellate lawyers have experience in representing clients in this powerful arena.

Our federal appellate law firm is a business that’s built upon experience. Not only are our Supreme Court appellate lawyers highly qualified and committed to research, but they also have the experience to match their credentials.

Federal Appeals & Practice Areas

The federal appeals attorneys for the United States Supreme Court at our law firm file writs and appeals in the United States Supreme Court. We have filed appeals on cases involving environmental, securities, white collar crime, oil and gas, conspiracy, insurance disputes, constitutional, criminal, regulatory, eminent domain, and business torts.

Act fast because the time to file a petition for a writ of certiorari is limited. Appeals from federal courts generally go to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the circuit in which the case arose. The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, which handles many federal and administrative cases, is located at 430 E St NW, Washington, DC 20001.

Supreme Court Appellate Litigation

What differentiates us from other appellate attorney firms is that we have the manpower and knowledgeable attorneys not just to take on numerous cases across all levels of complexity, but also to give each the individualized attention they need for a favorable verdict. The firm also handles Second Amendment constitutional cases and federal firearm appeals.

Supreme Court appellate litigation requires nuanced skill quite different from trial law. Our appellate advocates have effectively pursued appeals and post-conviction writ cases to give clients the respite they need from erroneous decisions in trial courts. We’re familiar with the strategies used by prosecutors and the strategies they use before appellate judges.

We’re also quick to recognize that sometimes judges pronounce sentences that are much harsher than warranted, while at other times, a lack of credible evidence still results in a conviction. Rest assured that Brownstone Supreme Court attorneys are here to overturn any injustice meted out to you. Contact Robert Sirianni, an appellate lawyer, to speak about your federal appeal.

We have a strong work ethic and go the extra mile to conduct the necessary investigation to strengthen your case. We’re pros at preparing elegant briefs that present our positions compellingly and are always up to the task of orally arguing your case with great conviction.

Robert L. Sirianni Jr. — Counsel of Record on Supreme Court Dockets

Supreme Court docketed matters with Sirianni listed as Counsel of Record: 14 (applications + petitions). (Supreme Court)

Cert petitions shown as filed on these dockets: 3 (23-508, 24-848, 24-928). (Supreme Court)

Supreme Court Docket Timeline and Filed Matters

Date (docket entry) Docket No. Type Party name (per docket) Outcome / status Supreme Court docket
Aug 2, 2022 22A88 Application to extend time to file cert Earnest Eugene Padillow Granted Docket lists Sirianni as Counsel of Record. (Supreme Court)
Apr 5, 2023 22A870 Application to extend time to file cert Hieu Minh Le Granted Docket lists Sirianni as Counsel of Record. (Supreme Court)
Jun 21, 2023 22A1099 Application to extend time to file cert Isaac Ashton Granted Docket lists Sirianni as Counsel of Record. (Supreme Court)
Jul 18, 2023 23A36 Application to extend time to file cert Jerry J. Davis, Jr. Granted Docket lists Sirianni as Counsel of Record. (Supreme Court)
Jul 18, 2023 23A39 Application to extend time to file cert Micah Sherif Matthews Granted Docket lists Sirianni as Counsel of Record. (Supreme Court)
Nov 10, 2023 23-508 Petition for writ of certiorari filed Micah Sherif Matthews Petition denied (Jan 16, 2024) The docket shows filing + denial and Sirianni as Counsel of Record. (Supreme Court)
Nov 20, 2023 23A435 Application to extend time to file cert Ilana Bangiyev Granted Docket lists Sirianni as Counsel of Record. (Supreme Court)
Jun 10, 2024 23A1094 Application to extend time to file cert Daniel A. Madero Granted Docket lists Sirianni as Counsel of Record. (Supreme Court)
Dec 18, 2024 24A601 Application to extend time to file cert Anne Catherine Richard Granted Docket lists Sirianni as Counsel of Record. (Supreme Court)
Dec 20, 2024 24A602 Application to extend time to file cert Zackery Terrell Granted Docket lists Sirianni as Counsel of Record. (Supreme Court)
Jan 2, 2025 24A646 Application (emergency-type) American Medical Equipment, Inc. Denied Docket lists Sirianni as Counsel of Record. (Supreme Court)
Jan 19, 2025 24A701 Application to extend time to file cert Karl Hansen Granted Docket lists Sirianni as Counsel of Record. (Supreme Court)
Feb 4, 2025 24-848 Petition for writ of certiorari filed Anne Catherine Richard Petition denied (Apr 21, 2025) Docket shows petition filed + denial and Sirianni as Counsel of Record. (Supreme Court)
Apr 28, 2025 24-928 Petition for writ of certiorari Zackery Terrell Petition denied (Apr 28, 2025) Docket shows distribution/waiver/denial and Sirianni as Counsel of Record. (Supreme Court)

News and Publications: Florida Appeals

Sinclair v. City of Seattle (2023)
Docket No. 22-1156
In this case, Brownstone Law challenges the City of Seattle and the CHOP designation. Brownstone Law files a writ, which is the primary means to petition the court for review is to ask it to grant a writ of certiorari. This is a request that the Supreme Court order a lower court to send up the record of the case for review.

Read our blog on the CHOP case. Read the writ and brief of the Supreme Court.

Richard Neal v. Marc Neal et al. (2019)
Docket No. 18-1560 Supreme Court of the United States
This case concerns the Claude K. Neal Family Trust (“Trust”), a revocable trust created by Plaintiff Richard Leland Neal’s parents, Claude and Rita Neal (individually, “Claude” and “Rita,” and collectively “Trustors”) on August 15, 1972. The Trust established that, at the death of either Trustor, the Trust estate would be divided into two sub-trusts: Trust A and Trust B. These subtrusts both were amendable and revocable while the Trustors were living. The beneficiaries of the Trust were the Trustors’ two sons, Petitioner and Respondent B. Marc Neal (“Marc”), but only upon the death of the surviving Trustor. Supreme Court Writ 12(b)(6) Motion to Dismiss

Docket No. 18-130

Karr v. State of Indiana (2018)
Whether the Indiana Supreme Court correctly concluded that Indiana’s procedures governing claims of ineffective assistance of trial counsel “do not offer most defendants a meaningful opportunity to present a claim of ineffective assistance of trial counsel on direct appeal.” Trevino v. Thaler, 569 U.S. 413, 428 (2013). Read more about this constitutional federal challenge in the Supreme Court Karr Petition for Certiorari United States Supreme Court
Docket for 13-1144
Title: James Duane Riley, Petitioner v. South Dakota; Robert Sirianni, Jr.
Robert Sirianni, Jr.
Docket for 12A864
Title: Empire World Towers, LLC, et al., Applicants v. CDR Creances, S.A.S. Learn more about this appeal from the Third Circuit: Initial Brief
Docket for 12A1013
Title: Darien Fisher, Applicant v. North Carolina; Robert Sirianni, Jr
Robert Sirianni, Jr
Docket for 12A1114
Title: Dezmon Terelle Brooks, Applicant v. Amy Miller, Acting Warden. Read more about this appeal of the denial of a certificate of appealability and the Supreme Court Writ: Dezon Brooks Appeal of Denial of Certificate of Appealability
Docket for 12A392
Title: Adam Young, Applicant v. Mike Addison, Warden, et al.; Robert Sirianni, Jr
Docket for 12A694
Title: Chuck Yeager, et al., Applicants v. Connie Bowlin, et al; Robert Sirianni, Jr
Docket for 11-1364
Title: Scott D. Geise, Petitioner v. United States; Robert L. Sirianni Jr.
Robert L. Sirianni Jr.
Docket for 11-643
Title: John Doe, Petitioner v. Thomas Megless, et al.
Docket for 13-675
Title: Erol Ozinal, Petitioner v. The Johns Hopkins Health Center Corp., et al.; Robert L. Sirianni Jr.
Docket for 13-546
Title: Scott Arthur Gardner, Petitioner v. William Stephens, Director, Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Correctional Institutions Division. Does Due Process of Law Require the Prosecution to Furnish a Criminal Defendant with Information that Negates an Indispensable Element of the Crime Charged, But Does Not Fully Exculpate Him from All Criminal Activity And Instead Establishes Only a Lesser Offense? Petition for Certiorari
Robert L. Sirianni Jr.
Docket for 13A911
Title: Rebecca Albertini, Applicant v. Jose R. Carlo-Izquierdo, et al. The University of Puerto Rico terminated Dr. Alberti’s tenure-track professorship without a hearing. The First Circuit determined the failure to hold a hearing prior to Dr. Alberti’s termination did not violate the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. According to University Rules and Regulations, Dr. Alberti could only be fired “when so justified.” Dr. Alberti argued that the “when so justified” language is tantamount to a “for cause” requirement, which entitled her to a pretermination hearing.Petition for Writ of Certiorari

Contact Brownstone Law to File Your Petition for Writ of Certiorari Today!

We have a strong work ethic and go the extra mile to conduct the necessary investigation to strengthen your case. We’re pros at preparing elegant briefs that present our positions compellingly and always up to the task of orally arguing your case with great conviction. Contact Us today to file a petition for writ of certiorari to the United States Supreme Court.

FAQs About Appealing a Case to the U.S. Supreme Court, Types of Cases the Supreme Court Handles, and does Brownstone Law and Robert Sirianni handle Supreme Court Appeals?

1. How do I appeal a case to the U.S. Supreme Court?

To appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, you must file a petition for a writ of certiorari, which asks the Court to review the decision of a lower appellate court. The petition must present legal issues of national significance or constitutional importance.

2. What is a writ of certiorari?

A writ of certiorari is an order by the U.S. Supreme Court to review the decision of a lower court. It is discretionary, meaning the Court can choose whether or not to accept the case.

3. What are the steps in filing a petition for certiorari?

  • Prepare the petition: It must detail the legal issues, explain why the case is important, and summarize the lower court’s decision.
  • File with the U.S. Supreme Court: The petition must be filed within 90 days of the lower court’s decision.
  • Response by the opposing party: The opposing party may file a response to the petition.
  • Decision by the Court: The Court will decide whether to grant or deny the petition. If granted, the case proceeds with briefing and oral argument.

4. How long does it take for the Supreme Court to decide whether to hear a case?

It can take several months. The Court reviews petitions in batches during its terms, and only a small percentage of petitions are granted.

5. What are the chances of the U.S. Supreme Court accepting a case?

The U.S. Supreme Court receives thousands of petitions each year but grants only about 1% of them. Cases with significant constitutional issues or those that create conflicting decisions in lower courts are more likely to be accepted.

6. What types of cases does the U.S. Supreme Court handle?

The U.S. Supreme Court handles cases that involve:

  • Constitutional questions (e.g., civil rights, freedom of speech)
  • Federal law or statutory interpretation
  • Disputes between states
  • Cases where lower courts have conflicting decisions
  • Appeals from the highest state courts when federal law or constitutional issues are involved

7. Does the U.S. Supreme Court hear criminal cases?

Yes, the Court can hear criminal cases, especially those that involve constitutional violations, such as due process or ineffective assistance of counsel.

8. Does the U.S. Supreme Court hear all types of cases?

No, the Court selectively hears cases that present significant legal issues, especially those that have broad implications for the country or resolve conflicting decisions among lower courts.

9. How many cases has Robert Sirianni and Brownstone Law filed before the U.S. Supreme Court?

Robert L. Sirianni, Jr., and his team at Brownstone Law have filed numerous cases before the U.S. Supreme Court, primarily involving complex federal questions and constitutional law. Brownstone is known for handling high-profile appeals in both state and federal courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court. However, exact numbers may vary depending on the year and specific cases involved.

10. What types of cases has Brownstone Law taken to the U.S. Supreme Court?

Brownstone Law has handled cases related to:

  • Criminal law and constitutional rights
  • Civil rights and due process
  • Regulatory law
  • Issues of national legal significance

11. Can I contact Robert Sirianni for help with a U.S. Supreme Court case?

Yes, Robert L. Sirianni, Jr. and the team at Brownstone Law are experienced in appellate law, including handling petitions for certiorari to the U.S. Supreme Court. They can provide assistance in preparing and filing your petition.

12. Who are the notable Supreme Court lawyers?

A list of Supreme Court lawyers includes Robert Sirianni, Jr., Paul Clement, Carter Phillips, and many others. Please find this list of Supreme Court lawyers.

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