Appellate Attorney in Chicago, Illinois

The differences between a lower-court proceeding and an appellate proceeding aren’t merely that in an appeal, there are three justices rather than one judge or a jury, or that an appeal focuses on brief writing as opposed to the presentation of evidence. The differences can be seen in the vastly different ways in which the issues are presented, in the procedural rules and doctrines that will be applied, and the perspective and skill sets that are critical for success at each level.  And, if insurance-coverage issues become part of the equation, disputes among parties can get complicated quickly.

Even the most accomplished trial lawyers can find themselves in need of seasoned and focused guidance when a matter advances to the critical, dispositive-motion stage, the appellate level, or when insurance-coverage issues arise. Lawyers and parties in litigation who seek such counsel turn to Chicago attorney Liz Bartolucci to handle, or assist them with, their most significant and complex motions, appeals, and insurance-coverage issues.

Bartolucci Law has earned the trust of clients in need of exceptional representation. Liz Bartolucci has over two decades of diverse litigation experience, advancing her clients’ interests in state and federal courts at both the trial and appellate levels, with her focus for more than a decade being on appellate litigation. Complementing that experience with the insights gained through her positions as in-house and corporate counsel, Liz provides her clients with the sophisticated guidance needed in complex trial, appellate, and insurance matters.

Civil Appeals

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 outside counsel to handle their appeals. All of these are excellent reasons to hire outside counsel to handle your 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.

Critical Motion Practice

Certain legal issues and motions can arise at critical junctures in a case, and might determine an entire case, or significantly impact the nature and extent of evidence parties may submit at trial, or raise in an appeal. For these reasons, we refer to motions to dismiss, summary-judgment motions, motions in limine, and post-trial motions as critical motions, and they require extra attention and zealous advocacy. Yet, many litigators in the thick of discovery do not have the extra time to devote to such motions. Working with you, Bartolucci Law will help you bring, or respond to, critical motions, at significant junctures in your cases, presenting your client’s arguments in a forceful, yet straight-forward manner courts appreciate.

Insurance Coverage Disputes

Insurance-coverage disputes are often an unwanted, secondary type of dispute, occurring simultaneously with an underlying lawsuit brought against a policyholder. Insurers sometimes decline to defend their insureds in underlying lawsuits, or defend them under reservations of rights, and also file declaratory judgment actions seeking declarations of non-coverage. This can make the landscape in which parties are operating very uncertain, for policyholders and insurers alike. Bartolucci Law is pleased to represent clients facing insurance-coverage issues, to provide sound advice on the law governing their dispute, facilitate prompt resolution where possible, and guide parties in protecting their rights until resolution can be reached.

Successsful Outcomes

“Outstanding qualities any client would wish to have in an
appellate attorney”

Liz came to me highly recommended by one of the best appellate lawyers in the business and she did not disappoint.
Between her work ethic, timeliness, temperament and sage advice, she provides the outstanding qualities any client
would wish to have in an appellate attorney. Her research and writing skills are as good as I have seen and her
experience clerking with the appellate court has given her invaluable insights into the process. If you wish to position
yourself for the best results, Liz will make a great choice.

James D. Montgomery, Jr.

Powerful and Creative Advocacy

There are many reasons attorneys and litigants reach out to Bartolucci Law when the end of a trial or a dispositive ruling marks the beginning of a new phase of litigation. Trial attorneys often cite time constraints, a lack of familiarity with post-trial and appellate procedures and rules, or a desire for a fresh set of eyes when a case reaches the critical-motion, post-trial, or appellate phases.  Knowing whether, or when, a party must (or can) appeal from an adverse trial-court ruling, including interlocutory orders, is imperative, and a lack of knowledge in that regard can result in significant waiver and forfeiture issues for clients.

In addition to post-judgment or post-trial engagements, Liz also serves as an appellate consultant during the pre-trial and trial phases, including briefing dispositive motions, motions in limine, and other significant motions, helping trial counsel preserve issues and make the necessary record to facilitate an appeal, putting clients in the strongest position possible.

Bartolucci Law takes a meticulous, yet practical approach when engaged to consult in a case still at the trial level, or to take the lead in an appeal.  We thoroughly review the court record on both a granular and a big-picture level, identifying errors and inconsistencies, strengths and weaknesses, opportunities and obstacles for both sides. In close consultation with clients, and with a full understanding of their goals, we develop strategies specifically designed to achieve efficiency and success.

Appellate advocacy involves distinctly different skills than trial advocacy.  An exceptional trial attorney can be a master of the arts of investigation and cross-examination, but the ability to respond effectively to the rapid-fire questions of a panel of three appellate justices, or to craft a powerful appellate brief, may be outside a trial litigator’s core skill set or comfort level.  Bartolucci Law fills the gaps between trial skills and appellate skills, enhancing the work already done by trial lawyers.

Critical Junctures

Strengthening your practice
in important areas, at critical
junctures, could unlock the
full potential of your cases.

Consultation and Representation
in Civil Litigation and Appeals

No matter the nature of the subject matter or complexity of the issues, Bartolucci Law stands ready to
leverage our creative and forceful appellate advocacy on behalf of clients needing one of the best
appellate lawyers in Chicago.

We work with attorneys and corporate and individual litigants in civil appeals including but not limited to:

  • Insurance coverage
  • Employment law
  • Real estate/property tax law
  • Education law
  • Administrative law
  • Constitutional Law
  • Enforcement of judgments
  • Personal injury and other tort claims

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.