Illinois appellate litigation & Seventh Circuit appeals.
An appeal needs a clear theory of legal error, a disciplined use of the record, and persuasive written advocacy. Custardo Law handles civil appeals for individuals, businesses, and referring trial counsel.
The appellate task is to identify the issues that can change the result and present them in the form the reviewing court needs. The firm evaluates appealability, preservation, the standard of review, and the relief the appellate court can actually grant.
A fresh review after an adverse judgment
A difficult result can leave a client with a long list of disagreements. The first appellate review separates the strongest legal issues from points the record or governing standard will not support. That assessment guides the scope of the appeal and the work needed to present it.
Custardo Law reviews civil judgments, dispositive rulings, and other orders for which appellate review may be available. The analysis includes the procedural history, the order’s finality, post-judgment motions, and the status of any notice of appeal.
Appellate briefs built around the record
The firm prepares opening briefs, responses, and replies, with attention to the questions presented, the organization of the argument, accurate record citations, and the authorities that control the outcome. The objective is a coherent explanation of why the challenged ruling should be affirmed, reversed, or otherwise addressed.
That work can include appendix preparation, jurisdictional analysis, responses to procedural motions, and oral argument preparation. Each assignment is defined around the actual needs of the appeal and the court’s requirements.
Appellate support for trial lawyers
Trial counsel can involve the firm before an appeal is filed. Issue preservation, dispositive motions, post-trial briefing, and the development of a usable record can affect the options available later.
Custardo Law also considers consulting, co-counsel, and brief-writing roles for lawyers seeking additional appellate capacity. The engagement should establish who handles the record, client communication, filings, deadlines, and oral argument.
Send the order and the dates first
For an initial review, provide the challenged order or judgment, the docket, key briefs, any post-judgment motions, and any notice of appeal already filed. Identify the trial court and case number, along with every known deadline.
Appeal deadlines can be short, and the type of order and procedural history can affect the calculation. A request for review does not itself extend a deadline. The firm’s civil appellate practice includes Illinois state appeals and matters in the Seventh Circuit; the office is in Lisle, Illinois.
Matthew R. Custardo is admitted to the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit and is a member of the Bar of the Supreme Court of the United States. His attorney profile provides the firm’s admissions and background.
Common questions
Can new counsel take over for the appeal?
The firm considers new appellate engagements after trial-court proceedings. Review of the order, record, existing deadlines, and any current representation is necessary before an engagement can be confirmed.
Can I appeal before the entire case is over?
Some orders can be reviewed before final judgment, but the available procedure depends on the order and governing rules. Send the actual order and the relevant dates for review.
Will the appellate court hear new evidence?
An appeal generally proceeds on the trial-court record. Record development and preservation therefore matter before the appellate brief is written. Any claimed exception requires separate analysis.
Can you work with my trial lawyer?
Yes. The firm considers consulting, co-counsel, and briefing assignments with trial counsel, with the scope and responsibilities defined at the beginning of the engagement.
Related practice areas
Helpful resources
Start with the facts that matter.
Send a concise summary, the court or employer involved, and any known deadline.