For many years, I’ve said that appellate lawyers are the last of the generalists, meaning we must be able to learn and advocate in any area of the law when doing our jobs. I like the way El Paso solo Kirk Cooper put it on LinkedIn:

What makes you valuable as an ‘appellate’ attorney is the ability to sit down at a keyboard, digest information quickly, and hammer out the equivalent of a short but readable master’s thesis that can be understood by a busy (and possibly unsympathetic) reader every few weeks over and over again, every day, for the rest of your life.

Spot on.

Despite Kirk’s observation, practicing appellate law can be a very fulfilling way to make a living. Aside from subject-matter variety, appellate practice is more user-friendly and manageable than other types of litigation. It’s less confrontational, involves fewer deadlines, and you spend your time persuading judges rather than juries. On top of that, the appellate bar is very tight-knit, so you tend to make friends with opposing counsel, who you’ll likely see again in future cases.

All that said, appellate practice can be tough to break into. Really tough.

The “Becoming an Appellate Lawyer” Program

If what I’ve written so far speaks to you, TexasBarCLE is offering a new program you won’t want to miss.

Directed by Chad Baruch, “Becoming an Appellate Lawyer” is tailored to help lawyers at all levels enhance their appellate practice skills.

This two-day, in-person event will bring together experienced appellate advocates and judges from across Texas. The program covers a wide range of topics, including managing client expectations, advanced legal research techniques, brief writing, oral advocacy strategies, and the use of AI in appellate law. The full course brochure is available here.

My Session: Strategies for Engagement as Appellate Counsel

I’ll be leading a session on “Navigating Entry Points: Strategies for Engagement as Appellate Counsel at Different Stages of Litigation.” I plan to explore how appellate lawyers can contribute value to cases at various litigation stages, from pretrial motions through appeal. My goal is to share practical tips and strategies to help attendees refine their approach to collaborating with trial lawyers and clients.

Program Highlights

For those considering or already engaged in appellate practice, this course offers:

  • Insights from experts: Learn from seasoned lawyers and judges with extensive appellate experience.
  • Practical, hands-on learning: Participate in breakout sessions and practicums focused on skills like brief drafting and oral argument preparation.
  • Networking opportunities: Connect with peers and professionals who share an interest in appellate law.

Registration Details

Seating is limited, so I recommend registering early to secure your spot. For more information and to register, visit TexasBarCLE.com.

I’m grateful for the opportunity to contribute to such a valuable program. If you plan to attend, I look forward to seeing you there!