Civil Appeals Attorney in Chicago, Illinois

Trial attorneys often cite time constraints, a lack of comfort or familiarity with the appellate process and rules, or a desire for a fresh set of eyes to review a matter they handled at the trial level, as reasons for hiring appellate counsel to handle their post-trial and post-judgment motions, and appeals. All of these are excellent reasons to hire appellate counsel to handle your post-trial motions and/or appeals. Parties themselves may also seek appellate counsel to represent them in cases where they were successful, or unsuccessful, in the trial court, desiring a level of appellate experience their trial attorney might not have.

No matter a lawsuit’s subject matter or complexity, litigants who need to advance or defend their positions at the appellate level require certain fundamental qualities in an appellate lawyer. The focus and discipline to dissect and analyze trial records thoroughly are essential. The capacity to master the facts, evidence, and legal issues involved quickly, and identify openings and vulnerabilities in the opponent’s case are key. A comprehensive knowledge of the unique standards, rules, procedures, and norms of federal and state appellate courts is indispensable. And, the talent to craft convincing arguments on paper, and assuredly make them in court before a panel of judges, is mandatory.

When seeking these characteristics in an appellate attorney, Chicago lawyers and litigants turn to Bartolucci Law, LLC.

Interlocutory Appeals

Certain types of appeal may be brought from a decision that is not a final judgment resolving an entire case. These are called interlocutory appeals, and have specific timing and procedural requirements. When you, or your opponent, are faced with an adverse ruling or judgment, you may seek guidance from Bartolucci Law, LLC on the following issues:

Invoking appellate jurisdiction under Illinois Supreme Court Rules 303 or 304
Interlocutory appeals and procedures under Supreme Court Rules 306, 307 and 308
Appellate jurisdiction under the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure
Interlocutory appeals under the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure

Post-trial Proceedings in Anticipation of Appeals

Post-trial and appellate proceedings involve complex, significant rules and potential pitfalls. For example, the failure to file a timely post-judgment motion can preclude a party from later appealing an adverse decision, or the failure to obtain a final judgment as to every claim and every party can result in a lack of appellate jurisdiction and dismissal of an appeal, wasting valuable client resources.

The combination of Liz Bartolucci’s trial and appellate experience can be instrumental during the post-trial phases of a case. She is often called upon to serve as an appellate consultant during the trial and post-trial phases of litigation, focusing on preserving issues and creating the record needed to prepare for an appeal, so that trial counsels can direct their full energies to achieving a positive outcome in the trial court.

Stays and Appeal (or Supersedeas) Bonds

The failure to obtain a stay on execution of a judgment could result in the prevailing party executing on that judgment, and freezing a defendant’s assets, even while an appeal is pending. To prevent a party from executing on a judgment in its favor, the non-prevailing party must seek a stay of the judgment, and this may require the posting of a bond. Appellate stays are not automatic in most cases, and can be critical in allowing a party to resume life, and business operations, as usual, pending the outcome of an appeal. The timing for having a court set a bond amount is very specific and critical, and the process for obtaining appeal bonds is not something with which most litigators are familiar. Bartolucci Law, LLC can guide you or your clients through this process.

Representative Cases

Liz Bartolucci has focused her practice in the last fifteen years on appellate litigation. She has briefed and argued dozens of cases in every district of the Illinois Appellate Court, the Illinois Supreme Court, and U.S. Courts of Appeals. She has handled appeals in diverse subject and practice areas, including:

Personal Injury and Tort Law
Contract Law and the UCC
Education Law
Constitutional Law
Real Estate Tax Law
Employment Law
Professional Liability Law
Administrative Law

Personal Injury Appeals

Much is at stake in personal-injury litigation. For plaintiffs, the outcome may shape their lives for years to come, determining whether they have the resources they need to move forward, or the sense of justice and accountability the believe they deserve.

For defendants and their insurers, millions of dollars may be at stake, and the impact of a jury verdict can resonate far beyond the courtroom, to corporate boardrooms and public opinion. With so much time, money, and emotion invested in personal-injury cases, it is not surprising that personal injury appeals are common.

An Invaluable Asset for Personal Injury Attorneys and Litigants

Working as lead appellate counsel, co-counsel, or in a consultative capacity, Liz Bartolucci is an invaluable and trusted asset for attorneys and parties needing exceptional representation in a state or federal appeal.

A Deep Understanding of the Complexities and Nuances of Personal Injury Appeals

The complexities of the legal, medical, or evidentiary issues at the heart of personal injury cases become even more significant at the appellate level. Countless procedural and evidentiary rulings in the trial court, and a voluminous record, must be viewed through a new lens. How appellate judges approach personal injury cases and the legal issues raised on appeal is vastly different from how trial judges and juries do.

That is why it is so important to engage an appellate attorney who understands those distinctions, as well as the unique and nuanced rules, procedures, and standards of review applicable at the appellate level. Liz Bartolucci brings over two decades of trial-level and appellate experience to her representation of clients in personal injury cases, including experience leading the appellate group at a large Chicago-based law firm.

Working closely with attorneys and parties, with meticulous attention to detail, Liz develops an encyclopedic understanding of the trial record and issues, integrating the thoughts and perspectives of the lawyers who led the fight at the trial level, and fine-tuning their approach on appeal. A consummate legal researcher and creative thinker, she develops approaches that might not have occurred to others working on the case daily at the trial level, and presents them in a powerful and persuasive manner. Whether she is crafting exceptional written submissions, or advancing her clients’ causes with deft oral advocacy, Liz always provides her clients with unmatched appellate advocacy.

Exceptional Representation in All Personal Injury Appeals

Liz Bartolucci has experience in the vast array of personal injury actions, including cases involving:

Premises liability
Motor vehicle accidents
Medical malpractice
Product liability
Dangerous drugs and medical devices
Defamation

Successsful Outcomes

“A Knowledgeable and aggressive appellate lawyer”

As a trial lawyer, it is invaluable to have someone like Liz on your side. Whether it’s answering a question that arose during a trial,
assisting on post-trial motions or her taking the lead on an appeal, it’s comforting knowing you have a knowledgeable,
and aggressive appellate lawyer like Liz on your side.

Matt Siporin

Pullano Law Offices

Bartolucci Law:

A Chicago Law Firm Committed to Excellence in Advocacy

Securing the right counsel with the right experience, at critical junctures in the life of a dispute, can be crucial to obtaining the desired outcome. If you would like to arrange a consultation to discuss your trial, appellate, or insurance-coverage needs with Chicago attorney Liz Bartolucci, please contact Bartolucci Law at (708) 885-9658 or email liz@civilappeals.law. We welcome the opportunity to assist you.

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