Appellate Advocacy
About the Committee
Stare decisis is taught in school but in the real world, the law is in flux. Appellate lawyers are fortunate in their ability to transcend specific, somewhat limiting, notions of practice specialty. The breadth of appellate practice means that these practitioners
need to stay current on a wide-range of legal issues—such foundational knowledge is the bedrock of an appellate lawyer’s ability to spot issues, formulate arguments, and participate as appellate advisors on trial teams.
In this connection, the Appellate Advocacy Committee strives to provide high-quality seminar programming to its members. The planning effort that leads to the final seminar presentation is extensive. Participating in seminar planning is one of the easiest
and quickest ways for members to get involved in the Appellate Advocacy Committee meeting. We welcome ideas for topics, speakers, formats, and sponsors. The committee hosts planning calls during which members work to plan the presentations and marketing
effort. We typically host panel presentations and speakers at the DRI Annual Meeting as well as committee webinars on informative topics.
We also recognize that there are many attorneys who are not yet full-fledged appellate advocates but who want to become one. We try to gear our programming to not only advanced appellate practitioners but also young lawyers and those who are new or transitioning
to an appellate practice by offering topics that are relevant to everyone.
We seek to improve the appellate system by improving the quality of appellate lawyering. Whether you are a full-time appellate lawyer, or make only an occasional appearance in appellate courts, our committee can help raise your game.
The DRI Appellate Advocacy Committee is the one national group devoted to the needs of defense-oriented appellate lawyers. Come join us in our mission.