With legal writing being the core of appellate law practice, it is surprising how few appellate lawyers blog about writing appeals. While there are fewer good blogs (sometimes called "blawgs" in the legal community) about appeals than there are in other law practice specialties, some blogs on appellate practice and procedure are worth reading. A few of the better appellate law blogs are listed below:
California Punitive Damages. Appellate law firm Horvitz & Levypublishes California Punitive Damages: An Exemplary Blog, which focuses primarily (though not exclusively) on appellate decisions concerning punitive damages awards in California. While it is somewhat surprising that a law firm of their size and expertise uses a free blogspot tool for publishing their law blog, the quality of their blogging is excellent. Written in a conversational plain English style, their posts are concise, easy to read, and informative.
How Appealing. Pennsylvania attorney Howard J. Bashman publishes , which he subtitles as "The web's first blog devoted to appellate litigation." The archives of his site go back to May of 2002, so that description is probably not an exaggeration. Bashman's posts rarely consist of analysis or commentary, but merely provide links to news articles, journal publications, and blog posts about legal issues around the country. A on the blog connects to another site where some of Bashman's own articles are published, though it doesn't appear to be updated often. However, a frequently updated expansion of the How Appealing site is linked at where he posts what he calls "Extra stuff that I just can't fit onto the main "How Appealing" site."
The Supreme Court of Texas Blog. Texas lawyer Don Cruse writes about appellate law practice in the Texas state courts and in federal appellate courts. Cruse blogs frequently about substantive legal issues, but also provides nuts-and-bolts appellate law practice tips.
An Appeal to Reason. California attorney Donna Bader writes an appellate law blog called . While many law blogs are written in plain English with an eye towards the consumer, Bader's blog is written in pure legalese for attorneys facing appellate issues in the California courts. Her posts are lengthy, highly technical, and heavily annotated with citations to case authority, especially when she writes on complex procedural issues. Many of her articles would be incomprehensible to the typical layman, but that is clearly not her target audience. Trial attorneys should take the time to read her posts, because they deal directly with legal procedures that can make the difference between winning and losing a case.
Illinois Appellate Lawyer Blog. Taking more of a plain English approach to appellate law blogging, attorney Steven R. Merican writes the in a style that is understandable by both lawyers and consumers. Merican's blog posts typically focus providing a brief summary of the central legal issue in recent Illinois appellate court rulings in posts that are short and to the point.
Alabama Law Blog of William L. Pfeifer, Jr. Full disclosure: this is my own law practice website. On the law blog of my website, WilliamPfeifer.com, I write about issues related to Alabama appellate law and the impact of appellate court decisions on the trial courts. I also provide practical advice on procedural issues that arise at trial and on appeal. My website includes a copy of all of the Alabama Rules of Appellate Procedure, as well as other useful Alabama legal resources for both lawyers and laymen.
Do you know of an appellate law blog that we overlooked? Have any thoughts on why appellate law practice has fewer good blogs than other areas of practice? Post your comments and suggestions in our Forum.