Vault Law Resource Center

Appellate Litigation

Overview

Appellate litigators work on appeals in both federal and state courts. It can be difficult to build a practice that is purely appellate work, especially outside of larger markets, but many general litigators also practice at the appellate level. Purely appellate litigators do not deal with developing a factual record through document discovery or depositions, so the work is focused on legal research and writing. Appellate litigation is the most direct application of what law students learn in their 1L core curriculum. Cases tend to be much shorter in duration than those handled by general litigators and can require practitioners to delve into arcane issues. Law students interested in practicing in this area should get law review or other journal experience in law school and try to get a federal clerkship, especially at an appellate level.

Top Ranked Firms

Top Ranked Firms


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Practice Area Q&A’s

O'Melveny firm logoQ&A Kristin Cope

Kristin Cope

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Sullivan & Cromwell firm logoQ&A Judd Littleton

Judd Littleton

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Arnold & Porter firm logo
Sally Pei Headshot
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Sally Pei & Andrew Tutt

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Advice from Vault Law

Advice card Choosing a DC Law Firm

Choosing a DC Law Firm

By Travis Whitsitt

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Advice card Appellate Litigation: Recommended Classes, Valuable Skills, and Potential Career Paths

Appellate Litigation: Recommended Classes, Valuable Skills, and Potential Career Paths

By Vault Law Editors

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Advice card Practice Area Insights: How To Specialize In Appellate Litigation

Practice Area Insights: How To Specialize In Appellate Litigation

By Vault Law Editors

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Advice card The Top Five Firms for Appellate Litigation

The Top Five Firms for Appellate Litigation

By Vault Law Editors

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