Appellate

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An appeal is not a second trial—it is a sophisticated legal process that demands in-depth knowledge of the law, precise issue framing, and persuasive advocacy. Whether challenging an unfavorable decision or defending a trial court victory, HunterMaclean’s appellate practice team, led by former Chief Justice of the Georgia Supreme Court, Michael Boggs, takes a customized approach to each case, meticulously analyzing trial records and legal precedent to craft an appropriate appellate strategy.

Our appellate attorneys are prepared to handle high-stakes appeals across a broad range of practice areas, including business litigation, contracts, torts, real estate, securities, product liability, labor and employment, antitrust, and constitutional law. Our attorneys regularly advocate for clients before federal and state appellate courts, delivering strategic legal arguments and persuasive advocacy at every stage of the appellate process. With a deep understanding of how appellate judges evaluate cases, we present our clients’ arguments with clarity, precision, and a solid legal foundation.

Our Appellate Services Include:

• Strategic Litigation Planning: Partnering with trial counsel to preserve key legal issues and position cases for potential appeals.
• Issue Preservation: Ensuring that critical arguments are properly framed at the trial level to maximize appellate success.
• Brief Writing & Oral Advocacy: Drafting persuasive appellate briefs and delivering compelling oral arguments that resonate with appellate judges.
• Post-Trial Motions & Appeals: Managing motions for reconsideration, judgment notwithstanding the verdict, and other post-trial relief efforts to preserve appealable issues.
• Amicus Curiae Representation: Advocating for clients, business organizations, and trade associations to shape legal precedent.
• Mooting & Appeal Advice: Providing guidance on briefs and oral advocacy strategy in cases already on appeal.

The appellate courts do more than resolve individual disputes—they define legal standards and establish precedent that impacts industries and individuals alike. With so much at stake, experience matters. HunterMaclean’s appellate team combines meticulous legal research with a deep understanding of appellate court decision-making to provide strategic, results-driven advocacy.

Experience

• Kang v. Mayor and Alderman of the City of Savannah, 2025 WL 753376 (11th Cir. 2025)
  Affirmed summary judgment for Police Chief on First Amendment retaliation and Equal Protection claims.
• Poppell v. Cardinal Health Inc., 319 Ga. 670 (2024)
  Affirmed jury verdict in favor of opioid distributors in personal injury claims by family members of addicts.
• In the Interest of N.E.G.C. II, Ga. Ct. App. Case No. A24A1037 (2024)
  Appeal voluntarily withdrawn following remand.
• In the Interest of J.W.B.R., Ga. Ct. App. Case No. A23A1567 (2024)
  Appeal vacated and remanded; unpublished opinion under Rules 33.2(b), 34.
• In the Interest of N.E.G.C. I, Ga. Ct. App. Case No. A23A1552 (2024)
  Appeal vacated and remanded; unpublished opinion under Rules 33.2(b), 34.
• In the Interest of M.E.P.S., 372 Ga. App. 5 (2024)
  Submitted amicus brief; Court affirmed in part and remanded with direction.
• In the Interest of J.T.S.S., Ga. Ct. App. Case No. A24A0613
  Submitted amicus curiae brief in support of child’s interests in dependency appeal.
• PDVSA US Litigation Trust v. Lukoil Pan Americas LLC, 65 F.4th 556 (11th Cir. 2023), cert. denied, 144 S. Ct. 343 (2023)
  Affirmed denial of motion to reopen judgment to permit intervention by alleged real party in interest.
• In the Interest of K.A.V., 368 Ga. App. 878 (2023)
  Represented party in appellate challenge in a youth dependency matter.
• S.C.G., et al. v. Candice Broce, U.S. District Court, N.D. Ga. (2022)
  Obtained dismissal for Commissioner of Georgia Department of Human Services in federal class action.
• PDVSA US Litigation Trust v. Lukoil Pan Americas LLC, 991 F.3d 1187 (11th Cir. 2021), cert. denied, 142 S. Ct. 466 (2021)
  Affirmed dismissal of antitrust, fraud, and conspiracy claims for lack of standing.
• Cotton v. Enmarket Inc., 809 F. App’x 723 (11th Cir. 2020)
  Affirmed summary judgment on race- and age-based employment discrimination claims.
• Shelnutt v. Mayor and Alderman of the City of Savannah, 826 S.E.2d 379 (Ga. App. 2019)
  Affirmed summary judgment on breach of contract claims brought by 50 firefighters.
• Hous. Auth. of City of Augusta v. Gould, 305 Ga. 545 (2019)
  Represented amicus curiae Georgia Association of Housing and Redevelopment Authorities in support of prevailing party in writ of certiorari dispute.
• Wedemeyer v. Gulfstream Aerospace Corp., 749 S.E.2d 241 (Ga. App. 2013)
  Affirmed motion to compel arbitration of defamation and tortious interference claims.
• Caley v. Gulfstream Aerospace Corp., 428 F.3d 1359 (11th Cir. 2005), cert. denied, 547 U.S. 1138 (2006)
  Affirmed order compelling arbitration of collective FLSA, class ADEA and ERISA, and individual Title VII claims.

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