This week marks the one-year anniversary of Connecticut Appellate Law Firm. Over the past year, the firm has grown from an idea into an active appellate practice serving trial attorneys and clients across Connecticut. 

Rather than viewing this milestone solely as a celebration, it also provides a natural moment to pause and reflect on what the first year looked like in practice—how the firm was engaged, the types of matters handled, and the values that guided the work. 

A Year of Appellate Advocacy and Collaboration 

During its first year, Connecticut Appellate Law Firm focused on providing appellate services that meet attorneys and clients where they are in the litigation process. Engagements included: 

• Full appellate representation 
• Appellate consulting and strategy 
• Pre-appeal legal research, ghostwriting, and trial-level support 

Much of the firm’s work centered on issues of statutory interpretation, reflecting the complexity of the matters referred and the types of legal questions presented on appeal. 

The firm worked across a broad range of practice areas, including business litigation, personal injury, property disputes, family and divorce matters, probate, housing, contracts, employment, insurance, arbitration, and criminal matters. 

Equally important was collaboration. Over the past year, the firm worked with more than thirty attorneys, both before trial and on appeal, reinforcing the role appellate counsel can play as a strategic partner throughout litigation. 

Appellate Services Provided During the First Year 

During its first year, Connecticut Appellate Law Firm was engaged in a range of appellate and appellate-adjacent matters, reflecting the varied ways trial attorneys and clients seek appellate support. 

The majority of the firm’s work involved full appellate representation. The firm was also frequently engaged for appellate consulting, providing strategic guidance on issue preservation, standards of review, and appellate positioning. 

In addition, the firm assisted trial attorneys through pre-appeal legal research, ghostwriting, and trial-level support, often before a notice of appeal was filed. These engagements focused on strengthening the record, evaluating appellate risk, and identifying issues likely to receive meaningful appellate review. 

This mix of services reflects the firm’s role as both appellate counsel and a strategic partner for attorneys navigating complex litigation. 

Building the Practice, One Step at a Time 

The first year of any solo practice involves constant adjustment. Some months felt slow; others moved quickly. Over time, patterns emerged—new appeals arriving steadily, increased consulting requests, and the gradual need to build systems to support a growing workload. 

Like many solo practices, the firm balanced substantive appellate work with the practical realities of running a business: managing deadlines, refining workflows, and determining when to invest in additional support. 

Throughout the year, the focus remained consistent: provide careful, thoughtful appellate advocacy while building a sustainable practice grounded in collaboration, preparation, and clear communication. 

Gratitude and Looking Ahead 

This first year would not have been possible without the trust of clients, the referrals and collaboration of trial attorneys, and the support of colleagues and community members who encouraged the firm from its earliest days. 

To everyone who has referred a case to CTALF or worked with me in a consulting capacity, thank you for trusting me with your clients and cases. It is a privilege to collaborate with so many incredible attorneys.  

As Connecticut Appellate Law Firm enters its second year, the focus remains the same—providing appellate litigation and consulting services tailored to the needs of Connecticut attorneys and clients, while continuing to grow thoughtfully and deliberately. 

Thank you to everyone who has been part of this first year. 

If you have questions about Connecticut appellate litigation, appellate consulting, or pre-appeal strategy in Connecticut, you are welcome to get in touch to learn more about how the firm works with trial attorneys and clients.