The Texas Appellate Law Podcast will soon celebrate five years on the air. What began as an idea between two appellate lawyers hoping to demystify our practice area has evolved into a platform for candid conversations with judges, court staff, and fellow attorneys.

When Jody Sanders and I recorded our first episode, we had no idea where this journey would take us. We just knew that appellate law—often viewed as complex and intimidating—deserved a more accessible, practical discussion. Our goal was simple: to create a resource that would help trial and appellate lawyers sharpen their skills, gain insight into the appellate process, and learn from the best in the business.

A Fresh Look

After 143 episodes and more than 115,000 downloads, we’ve taken the next step. We’ve refreshed our branding and partnered with LawPods, making it easier than ever to bring you high-quality content. We’re also settling into a regular release schedule, ensuring we continue delivering valuable insights while balancing our other commitments.

Long-time listeners may remember that the podcast first gained traction on Twitter/X, and that’s still where we’re most active (@TexAppLawPod). While we’ve explored other platforms, #AppellateTwitter remains home. If you’re not on X, you can also find us on LinkedIn, where we share updates and episode highlights.

Revisiting Episode 1

Looking back at our first episode, we covered the fundamentals of appellate practice:

  • The Power of the Written Brief: Appellate briefs aren’t just procedural steps; they’re the main vehicle for persuasion. Clear, concise, and well-structured writing is critical to effective advocacy.
  • The Role of Oral Argument: While briefs do the heavy lifting, oral argument can still be a difference-maker. We discussed how a well-prepared argument helps clarify key issues, address judicial concerns, and sometimes even change the trajectory of a case.
  • Trial vs. Appellate Courts: One of the biggest misconceptions about appeals is that they’re a “do-over” of a trial. We broke down how appellate courts focus on legal issues rather than fact-finding and explained the key differences between trial and appellate advocacy.

Five Years Later

Since that first episode, we’ve featured some of the most respected voices in Texas appellate law. We’ve had the privilege of sitting down with current and former Texas Supreme Court justices, Fifth Circuit judges, and trial and appellate judges from across the state and beyond. We’ve explored everything from the finer points of brief writing to the latest trends in legal tech. More importantly, we’ve built a community of engaged listeners who continue to tune in, share their insights, and contribute to the conversation.

This milestone wouldn’t be possible without you—our listeners, guests, and colleagues. Your support, feedback, and enthusiasm keep us going, and we’re grateful for every download, comment, and conversation.

Here’s to the next five years—we can’t wait to see where this journey takes us next!