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Super Lawyers has named Thomas W. Casparian, Susan A. Grueneberg, Marion T. Hack, and Paul S. Rutter to its 2026 Southern California Super Lawyers list, and Maryam Arshad and Brandon Posivak to its Rising Stars list.
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Cozen O’Connor’s appellate lawyers represent clients in the U.S. Supreme Court and in federal and state appellate courts throughout the country. Our lawyers guide clients through all stages of the appellate process, but their work often begins pre-appeal. They collaborate with trial teams at all stages of litigation, including during and prior to trial, pre- and post-verdict, and throughout the appellate process.
There are only limited opportunities to make the winning arguments to an appellate court — a few briefs and an oral argument — so experience, big-picture strategic thinking, and foresight are key to appellate success. Cozen O’Connor’s appellate lawyers understand that appealing a trial court ruling is often a high-stakes proposition with the potential for a business-altering result. With this in mind, they never lose sight of their clients’ business goals and realities.
Cozen O’Connor appellate lawyers work closely with clients, trial teams, and experts to deliver excellent results. They also represent clients and related trade organizations in filing amicus briefs on important issues before the U.S. Supreme Court and other appellate courts throughout the country.
The firm’s attorneys have successfully handled appellate matters in such diverse legal areas as constitutional law, class actions, antitrust, securities, contract law, business torts, labor and employment, medical device and drug litigation, toxic torts, intellectual property, insurance coverage, subrogation, professional liability, health care, and white collar criminal defense.
One example of Cozen O’Connor’s appellate prowess is its victory before the U.S. Supreme Court in a groundbreaking First Amendment case, representing the appellant in Manhattan Community Access Corp. v. Halleck. The dispute centered on questions of private versus governmental activity and who can be sued under the First Amendment. Convincing the Court to grant certiorari presented a significant challenge, and our team made key strategy decisions at that stage that not only persuaded the Court to take the case, but also led directly to the victory. In that case, as in all appeals they handle, the focus was on framing the issue and keeping the Court focused on that framework, regardless of the other side’s repositioning. A perfectly presented appeal does not ask judges to wrestle with a decision, but rather asks them to endorse an inexorable conclusion.
Cozen O’Connor’s appellate team includes attorneys around the country with significant appellate experience. They have collectively handled hundreds of appellate matters, authored important amicus briefs on behalf of industry groups and other interested parties, and served in prestigious judicial clerkships. Our lawyers’ experience and inside knowledge of appellate courts across the country allows them to offer superb service and prescient strategic advice.