Lawyers ask me questions about how to preserve issues for review, how to perfect an appeal, when a judgment is appealable, how to get an appeal dismissed and just about every other question you can imagine. Lawyers call for tips when they must do an appeal themselves. They call me to set up appeals, to make sure they have a proper record for appeal or to improve their chances on appeal. The best time to call is weekdays before noon, but you can call me at 800-240-8132 during regular office hours, before and after regular office hours and on weekends. When I am out of the office, calls go to my cell phone.
My appellate work is both criminal and civil, and both state (Illinois) and federal. I usually handle all aspects of the appeal from start to finish. I can do all of the work except for oral argument, or handle only the oral argument, or take over a case in mid-appeal. I can provide whatever the case requires. I am available for trial-level work that typically consists of briefing dispositive motions. I handle Illinois post-conviction and federal habeas corpus matters at the trial level as well as on appeal.
Substantive areas that I most often see on appeal are criminal law (federal and Illinois), family law including child custody, insurance and municipal law. However, I see a little of everything on appeal, including the areas of oil and gas, RICO, professional malpractice, bankruptcy, contracts and estates, to name a few.
I subscribe to the Westlaw legal research database and have years of intensive experience in its use. I am familiar with PACER access to federal-court records and CM/ECF document filing. These tools are mobile because of wireless internet access.
I am authorized to practice in all Illinois state courts, the United States District Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of Illinois, the United States Courts of Appeals for the Sixth, Seventh and Eighth Circuits (covering Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Tennessee and Wisconsin) and the United States Supreme Court. I am a member of the Criminal-Justice-Act panels for the Seventh and Eighth Circuits.
I try to take every phone call; I promptly return the calls that I cannot take. I may be able to answer your question right now. If you need help, call me.
