Lew Stevens LLP specializes in Appeals, certified by the State Bar of California’s Board of Legal Specialization. In California and in the federal courts, there are three levels of courts. The first is the trial court, where lawsuits are filed and cases are heard and tried. If a party (called the appellant) believes the trial court made a mistake and reached the wrong decision, that party can appeal. In California, the appeal is to a District Court of Appeal. In the federal courts, the appeal is to Circuit Court of Appeals. A party is entitled to an appeal to the District Court of Appeal or the Circuit Court of Appeal. An appeal is not a new trial. The appellate courts read a transcript of the proceedings in the trial court and read briefs on the legal issues that are submitted by the parties. The role of an appellate court is to determine whether the trial court correctly applied the law to the parties’ dispute.
If a party believes the appellate court made a mistake, he or she can ask the California Supreme Court or to the United States Supreme Court to review the appellate court’s decision. Unlike the appellate courts, however, the Supreme Courts do not take every case presented to them. They decide which ones are worthy of consideration.
Lew Stevens LLP practices appellate work in California and federal courts.