Appeals

Advancing Civil Rights Through the Courts

Some of the most important legal battles are fought not in the courtroom, but on appeal. An adverse trial court decision may not be the end of the road — and a favorable one may need to be defended against a well-resourced opponent determined to reverse it.

Rights & Remedies offers experienced appellate representation in cases before the Connecticut Supreme Court and the Connecticut Appellate Court. We also handle administrative appeals in the Connecticut Superior Court's administrative docket.

Our Appellate Experience

Appellate litigation is a distinct discipline. It requires mastery of the written word, deep knowledge of procedural rules, and the ability to identify the strongest legal arguments from a complex trial record. Our attorneys bring all of this to bear on every case.

• Attorney Libby Reinish clerked for the Connecticut Supreme Court, giving her direct insight into how appellate courts evaluate briefs, frame legal questions, and reach decisions

• Attorney Michael Roberts spent over a decade at the Connecticut CHRO, where he led appellate efforts that shaped state civil rights law

• We have briefed appeals in employment discrimination, fair housing, and administrative law cases at the Connecticut Supreme Court and Appellate Court levels

• We are skilled at both pursuing appeals on behalf of prevailing and aggrieved parties, and defending favorable trial court judgments on cross-appeal

Administrative Appeals

Many cases begin at a government agency like the CHRO, and an adverse agency decision can often be challenged in court. We handle administrative appeals from those decisions, representing parties who did not prevail at the agency level and seeking judicial review of erroneous legal conclusions, or who did prevail and need assistance defending that decision in court.

Appellate Co-Counsel

We partner with trial attorneys who need appellate expertise. If you have a case heading to appeal, we can assist with:

• Drafting appellate briefs and reply briefs

• Oral argument preparation and presentation

• Consulting on preservation of appellate issues during trial

• Amicus curiae brief drafting for organizations and advocacy groups

We are available to serve as lead appellate counsel or as co-counsel depending on your client's needs. We practice in Connecticut and handle matters in the Connecticut Supreme Court, Connecticut Appellate Court, and the federal Second Circuit for cases arising in Connecticut.

If you have a case that may be heading to appeal, we would welcome the opportunity to discuss how we can help. Contact us to set up a consultation.