The Appellate Lawyers: the premier guide to recommended appeals attorneys, practice area news and legal insights:
TAL provides a concise and up-to-date guide to leading appellate attorneys across the country. Our research covers all 50 states and a wide selection of specialist practice areas, with featured attorneys being selected based on the results of peer nominations, in-depth research, awards and client feedback.
Superlative research, analysis, and writing skills are vital when representing clients on appeal, as the strength of the case rests on the brief. Top appellate attorneys must also be skilled oral advocates. Our recommended lawyers have vast experience reviewing the entire record, including trial transcripts, evidentiary materials, and motions to determine which grounds, if any, exist as a basis for your appeal.
Each year, only one attorney per state is selected and recommended in our guide. The selection process is independent and it is not possible to request entry. Inclusion is by invitation only.
Featured Attorney
C. Mitchell Brown - South Carolina
Mitch Brown is an appellate lawyer at Nelson Mullins, where he leads the firm’s Appellate Practice Group. His practice spans appellate law, business litigation, bad faith insurance defense, regulatory matters, and premises liability. He also has experience representing attorneys in disciplinary proceedings.
Latest News & Legal Insights
A “Side Bet” Option Does Not Create A Live Case Or Controversy On Appeal
In In re Hybir, Inc., No. 2025-1367, 2026 WL 1076702 (Fed. Cir. Apr. 21, 2026), the Federal Circuit dismissed a patent owner’s appeal where a settlement agreement tied the outcome of the appeal to a nominal, $100 optional license. The Federal Circuit decided that because the prospective $100 option was merely a “side bet” on the outcome of the appeal that did not create a live case or controversy.
Background
The dispute arose when Hybir, the owner […]