Best Lawyers in America for Appellate Practice
State
Robert S. Shafer is part of the Commerical Litigation Practice Group where he is of counsel and concentrates his practice on appellate advocacy in state and federal court, representing clients in industries such as banking and financial services, transportation and energy. He has been listed in The Best Lawyers in America for Appellate Law since 2007 and named Lawyer of the Year 2013, Little Rock. Robert also has broad experience in initiative and referendum law.
Scott Burnett Smith is a partner in the firm’s Huntsville office. His practice covers class actions, complex litigation, and appeals. Scott has been involved in dozens of nationwide class actions in state and federal courts, and he has handled over 30 class action appeals. He is also regularly involved as the appellate lawyer embedded with a trial team in complex civil litigation. In that role, he has succeeded in having several multi-million dollar injury verdicts (including punitive d...
Sara C. Mills-Flood is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Appellate Practice, Litigation - Insurance and Professional Malpractice Law - Defendants. Sara C. practices law in Milwaukee, Wisconsin Best Lawyers has recognized Sara C. Mills-Flood 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 Sara C. Mills-Flood is held by ...
David R. Boyd is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Appellate Practice, Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation and Education Law. David R. practices law in Montgomery, Alabama Best Lawyers has recognized David R. Boyd since 1995. 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 David R. Boyd is held by other lawyers.
Michael “Mike” McConnell is a founding partner of McConnell Van Pelt LLC in Denver, Colorado. He is a civil trial and appellate lawyer with more than thirty years of experience representing clients in complex litigation matters in state and federal courts. His practice includes Appellate Practice, Ethics and Professional Responsibility Law, Legal Malpractice Law - Defendants, Litigation - Health Care, Litigation - Insurance , Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants , Personal Injury ...
Chris Nickelson is Dual Board Certified in Family Law and in Civil Appellate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, and a partner at Goranson Bain Ausley in Fort Worth. With over 27 years practicing exclusively in family law, Chris is a past Chair of the State Bar of Texas Family Law Section, currently serves as Director of District 7 on the State Bar of Texas Board, and chaired the Committee on Pattern Jury Charges, Family & Probate Volume, from 2020 to 2024. He is a member of t...
William “Jay” Harbison II is a member of the firm’s litigation practice, counseling clients on various business disputes and commercial matters. Jay is recognized by Best Lawyers in America® “Ones to Watch,” 2025 for Civil Rights Law, Commercial Litigation and Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Defendants. Prior to joining the firm, Jay was a partner at the Nashville law firm Neal & Harwell, where he represented both plaintiffs and defendants an...
Preston A. Hawkins, a shareholder in the Knoxville office, concentrates his practice on general tort litigation, construction litigation, appellate advocacy, and criminal defense. Mr. Hawkins is lead trial counsel and has successfully defended global corporations in significant lawsuits in state and federal court. Mr. Hawkins has also successfully represented contractors, design professionals, and owners in numerous construction litigation matters and arbitrations. Mr. Hawkins has also succes...
Jim Marrow is an experienced trial lawyer and appellate specialist. He has developed cases and arbitration matters from beginning to end, including appeal. Jim has tried cases on both sides of the docket, winning judgments for plaintiffs and defendants, and has handled civil appeals and mandamus proceedings in state and federal courts. Jim has extensive appellate experience and has successfully obtained several appellate reversals and writs of mandamus for his clients. Jim also has particular...
Janel M. Dressen is a shareholder at Anthony Ostlund Louwagie Dressen & Boylan PA in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She represents businesses, shareholders, owners, and executives in complex commercial disputes, with a practice that includes Commercial Litigation and Appellate Practice . Clients and colleagues describe Janel as a thoughtful and determined advocate who approaches each matter with careful preparation, strategic analysis, and a practical understanding of her clients’ business...
Julie Smith is an appellate lawyer who also specializes in advising trial attorneys on litigation strategy and in drafting and arguing complex motions. Before joining Cosgrave, she served as an Assistant Attorney General in the Trial and Appellate Divisions of the Oregon Department of Justice, where she twice received the department’s Outstanding Achievement Award. Prior to that, she clerked for the Honorable Virginia Linder of the Oregon Court of Appeals. Appellate services include: Re...
Amanda Stout is an attorney with Kean Miller in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where she represents employers and businesses in labor and employment law , commercial litigation , and related regulatory matters. Her practice includes both trial and appellate work, with a focus on helping clients navigate complex disputes efficiently and in compliance with applicable law. Amanda’s labor and employment practice involves defending local government entities and private employers against claims alle...
Justin Presnal is a partner and seasoned trial and appellate lawyer with more than 30 years of experience representing plaintiffs in complex product liability, mass tort, and multi-district litigation (MDL). He brings a deep command of legal strategy, a passion for writing, and a national reputation for helping clients win high-stakes cases. Justin has served on leadership committees in some of the country’s largest MDLs, including litigation involving prescription opioids, defective hi...
Christopher L. Travis is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Appellate Practice and Real Estate Law. Christopher L. practices law in Little Rock, Arkansas Best Lawyers has recognized Christopher L. Travis since 2026. 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 Christopher L. Travis is held by other lawyers.
M. Hope Keating handles appeals for clients in both state and federal courts. Her areas of representation include all aspects of civil and administrative law. She also provides litigation support during all stages of litigation in all facets of law. Hope regularly advises a myriad of health care facilities and providers on a wide array of complex and practical regulatory matters such as licensure, medical records, end-of-life issues, patient discharge, contracts, and Medicare and Medicaid cer...
Our Methodology
Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review. Our methodology is designed to capture, as accurately as possible, the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical area and legal practice area.
The Process
Best Lawyers employs a sophisticated, conscientious, rational, and transparent survey process designed to elicit meaningful and substantive evaluations of the quality of legal services. Our belief has always been that the quality of a peer review survey is directly related to the quality of the voters.
