Best Lawyers in America for Appellate Practice

Before his judicial service, Judge Harvey Brown was in private practice for more than 20 years, handling both trials and appeals. He was also appointed as a special master in a case and also frequently retained as an arbitrator and mediator. Judge Brown is also an award-winning author, having authored six law review articles.

Richard is the Head of the Dallas Litigation Practice Group. He is an experienced trial lawyer who has first-chaired dozens of complex cases in state and federal courts, arbitrations and other proceedings—many of which he joined as trial counsel at the 11th hour. His extensive courtroom experience includes cases involving product and environmental liability, trade secrets, breach of fiduciary duty, insurance coverage, False Claims Act allegations, partnership disputes and other business...

Kian Hudson is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Appellate Practice. Kian practices law in Indianapolis, Indiana Best Lawyers has recognized Kian Hudson since 2025. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Kian Hudson is held by other lawyers.

Kristen M. Fiore is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Appellate Practice. Kristen M. practices law in Tallahassee, Florida Best Lawyers has recognized Kristen M. Fiore since 2024. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Kristen M. Fiore is held by other lawyers.

Rachel Moore is an accomplished attorney with more than 25 years of legal experience. She practices in the areas of commercial, banking, and construction litigation, and appellate work. Licensed to practice in Alabama since 1992, her experience includes trying complex cases on behalf of financial institutions; handling foreclosures, judicial foreclosures, redemptions and deficiency actions, asset recovery, and negotiating and preparing workouts. In Rachel’s construction practice, she re...

Ryan P. Bates focuses on appellate and complex commercial litigation, which includes serving as lead counsel in numerous appellate matters before the U.S. Supreme Court and the U.S. Courts of Appeals for the Fifth, Sixth, and Tenth Circuits, as well as courts across Texas. Prior to his legal career, Mr. Bates spent years working as an information technology specialist for companies across various industries while leading software development and consulting projects. He previously served as a ...

Melanie Gold spent more than three decades as a research attorney for California appellate courts. She primarily worked with the justices of the Fourth District Court of Appeal in San Diego, but also with those of the Sixth District Court of Appeal in San Jose as well as the California Supreme Court in San Francisco. During that time, Melanie analyzed thousands of briefs, motions, and petitions, advised justices on hundreds of appeals, and developed a deep understanding of how appellate court...

Matthew J. Delude is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Appellate Practice, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law and Commercial Litigation. Matthew J. practices law in Manchester, New Hampshire Best Lawyers has recognized Matthew J. Delude since 2024. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in wh...

Shareholder Michael J. Cohen has more than 25 years of experience in complex commercial litigation in federal and state courts. His proven record of numerous favorable verdicts at the trial and appellate levels has earned him a reputation as one of Wisconsin’s preeminent business litigators. For many years, Mike has been recognized by members of the Wisconsin bar and judiciary as one of the top lawyers in the state. Mike concentrates his practice on complex commercial litigation includi...

Laura Dale is Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Her practice is concentrated in the area of family law involving high conflict divorce, high net worth property division, both domestic and foreign, property valuation, custody cases, international child abduction brought under The Hague Convention and complex multi-jurisdictional family law disputes. Ms. Dale is a Fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers and a USA Delegate on the Board of Gov...

Wallace is an experienced trial and appellate attorney, with over 60 jury trials in state and federal courts throughout the Southeast, and approximately 100 bench trials, jury trials, and arbitration trials, as well as numerous appeals in the South Carolina appellate courts and the United States Courts of Appeals for the First, Fourth, Sixth, and Eleventh Circuits. His practice involves complex securities, corporate, and intellectual property cases, as well as news media and First Amendment d...

As a business litigator, Bob works with clients to identify and execute plans to resolve disputes in ways that make business sense. In some cases, that might involve a business solution such as restructuring a contract or negotiating an owner’s exit from the business. In others, it will involve litigating the dispute through trial and any appeals, working closely with the client to maintain focus on achieving the desired result as cost-effectively as possible. Bob assists business clien...

Jane Webre is a partner at Scott Douglass & McConnico LLP in Austin, Texas, where her practice focuses on appellate practice and complex civil litigation. She handles a substantial portion of the firm’s appeals and represents clients in matters involving significant legal and procedural issues in state and federal courts. Jane’s experience includes appeals involving oil and gas disputes , land use regulation, and other complex commercial matters. She has argued cases before th...

Charles M. Auslander is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Appellate Practice. Charles M. practices law in Key Biscayne, Florida Best Lawyers has recognized Charles M. Auslander since 2006. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Charles M. Auslander is held by other lawyers.

Joel Nomkin is a partner in the firm's Litigation practice. He has more than 25 years of experience in the areas of complex commercial litigation and appellate law. He also frequently serves as an advisor to in-house counsel on risk management and litigation strategy.

Brendan Rielly has experience in a broad range of civil matters in both state and federal courts (including the First Circuit Court of Appeals) as well as before the Maine Public Utilities Commission. Brendan's practice area focuses on commercial litigation, real estate litigation (including easements and rights of way), school law, probate litigation, public utilities law, environmental compliance and personal injury. Brendan has also served as local counsel for major law firms in both state...