Appellate Practice
Archer & Greiner's long history of excellence in appellate advocacy taught us that appellate practice is a distinct and specialized part of the legal process. As a result, Archer & Greiner has established an Appellate Practice Group to provide the expertise and assistance needed by our existing clients, new clients and lawyers from other firms in matters that involve, or are likely to involve, an appeal.
Members of Archer & Greiner's Appellate Practice Group frequently serve as primary counsel on appeals, handling matters from initial notice to final argument, both in cases where Archer & Greiner has been involved in the initial litigation, as well as cases in which another firm has handled the proceedings below. However, just as frequently, our appellate lawyers assist other attorneys -- both inside and outside Archer & Greiner -- on specific, discrete aspects of appellate practice, with initial trial counsel remaining in the lead role or as co-counsel on the appeal and at oral argument.
For example, our Appellate Practice Group can assist in preparing and responding to post-verdict motions in the trial court; evaluating prospects for appeal; reviewing the trial transcripts or agency record for appealable issues; analyzing and researching the law; perfecting appeals; preparing appellate briefs and appendices; drafting motions for leave to appeal; presenting oral argument; preparing post-argument motions and petitions for certification or certiorari; or all of the foregoing. We also handle specialized appellate proceedings, such as petitions for writs of mandamus and amicus curiae briefs.
Lawyers in this Group are very familiar with New Jersey's appellate forums, having handled numerous appeals in New Jersey's Appellate Division, the New Jersey Supreme Court, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit (N.J., Pa., Del.). However, members of the Group have also handled appeals in the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit (N.Y., Conn., Vt.), the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit (Va., Md., N.C., S.C., W. Va.), the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, as well as petitions for certiorari before the United States Supreme Court. In addition, Archer & Greiner lawyers have practiced in the state appellate courts of both Pennsylvania and Delaware.
The Group's appellate work encompasses a wide variety of substantive legal areas: environmental law, employment and civil rights, personal injury, construction, trust and estates, hospital law, insurance, school law, bankruptcy, First Amendment, media access, defamation, healthcare, land use, commercial disputes, medical licensing, malpractice, public bidding, criminal law, and numerous administrative matters.
Archer & Greiner's Appellate Practice Group is led by Arthur H. Jones, Jr., who has spent more than 13 years briefing and arguing appeals in various federal and state courts, some of which are listed at the bottom of this site. Art has handled the appeals for various types of clients, ranging from ExxonMobil Corporation to individuals residing in the community. And Art not only has handled numerous appeals while at Archer & Greiner, he also clerked in the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit with the Honorable Robert E. Cowan.
Other members of the Group are Ellis I. Medoway, John C. Connell and Patrick M. Flynn, all of whom bring a unique perspective to the appellate practice area. Ellis Medoway has been an attorney with Archer & Greiner since 1987 and was part of Archer & Greiner's appellate team that handled the landmark environmental coverage case in Morton Int'l Inc. v. General Accident Ins. Co., 134 N.J. 1 (1993). Prior to Archer & Greiner, Ellis was a Deputy Attorney General, representing the New Jersey Departments of Health, Education, Civil Service and Treasury in numerous administrative appeals.
John Connell joined Archer & Greiner in 1988, after clerking for the Honorable Thomas F. Shebell, Superior Court of New Jersey, Appellate Division. John has considerable appellate expertise in First Amendment and public access issues. In addition, John has served as pro bono criminal defense counsel in State v. Branca, 127 N.J. 64 (1992), as well as counsel for amici curiae in several Supreme Court civil cases: George Harms Constr. Co. Inc. v. New Jersey Turnpike Authority, 137 N.J. 8 (1994); Tormee Contr. Inc. v. Mercer County Improvement Authority, 143 N.J. 143 (1995); and Koch v. Director Div. of Taxation, 157 N.J. 1 (1999).
Finally, Patrick Flynn has been an attorney with Archer & Greiner since 1996. Pat has prosecuted and defended appeals in a wide variety of substantive areas, ranging from insurance coverage to the confiscation of fire arms. Prior to joining the firm, Pat was a law clerk to the Honorable David Landau, Superior Court of New Jersey, Appellate Division.
With their considerable experience both clerking for, and arguing in front of, various appellate courts, members of Archer & Greiner's Appellate Practice Group are able to quickly evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of potential appeals, focus on the critical issues that will interest the appellate court, and efficiently craft clear and persuasive briefs to maximize the chances for success. Recognizing that the final resolution of hard-fought litigation in our legal system often comes down to an appeal, our Practice Group lawyers bring to this important phase fresh eyes and an appropriate blend of skill and experience. So whether or not Archer & Greiner was involved in the case at the trial or administrative stage, members of our Appellate Practice Group can be a valuable resource to new and existing clients, as well as lawyers from other firms.
If you would like additional information about our appellate practice, or need assistance in handling an appeal, please contact Arthur H. Jones, Jr., at (856) 354-3063 or e-mail him at ahjones@archerlaw.com. Members of this Practice Group are available to consult with new clients, existing clients or lawyers from other firms on any tasks that require appellate expertise.
Click here to see a sampling of reported appellate cases handled by Archer & Greiner
Appellate Practice Attorney(s)