Utah Appellate Attorneys | Lotus Appellate Law

Lotus Appellate Law is Salt Lake City’s boutique appellate law firm — dedicated exclusively to appellate advocacy before the Utah Court of Appeals and Utah Supreme Court.

When the outcome of a civil or criminal appeal depends on the quality of briefing and oral argument, Salt Lake City clients and trial counsel across Utah turn to Lotus Appellate Law. We handle the full scope of appellate practice: post-trial motions, merit appeals, interlocutory appeals under URAP Rule 5, extraordinary writs, and post-conviction review.

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The right Salt Lake City appellate attorney can mean the difference between reversal and affirmance.

Your Most Important Questions About Utah Appeals — Answered

An appeal is a formal request to a higher court to review a lower court’s decision for legal error. Unlike a trial, no new evidence is introduced and witnesses don’t testify — appellate courts review the written record and the parties’ legal briefs to determine whether the trial court correctly applied the law. At Lotus Appellate Law, Salt Lake City’s exclusively appellate firm, we specialize in identifying reversible error and building the focused, persuasive arguments that Utah appellate courts require.

The appellate process typically begins with a notice of appeal, which must be filed within strict deadlines — often 30 days after final judgment. The appellant then designates the record and submits an opening brief identifying the legal errors that warrant reversal. The opposing party files an answer brief, and a reply brief may follow. Oral argument is sometimes granted but not guaranteed. At Lotus Appellate Law, we craft thorough, well-researched briefs designed to resonate with Utah appellate judges — and move the needle on outcomes.

Refer to our guide on the appellate process.

Not every adverse ruling is immediately appealable. Generally, you can appeal a final judgment — a ruling that fully resolves the case. Interlocutory appeals of non-final orders are available in limited circumstances under URAP Rule 5 and require permission from the appellate court. Success on appeal also requires identifying meaningful legal or procedural error that affected the outcome. Lotus Appellate Law evaluates cases with candor — if an appeal is unlikely to succeed, we’ll tell you directly.

Appellate practice is a distinct discipline from trial work. It demands mastery of written advocacy, deep familiarity with appellate procedure, and the ability to distill a complex record into a compelling legal narrative. Standards of review, issue preservation, and briefing conventions are all highly technical — many excellent trial attorneys find them unfamiliar terrain. At Lotus Appellate Law, appellate advocacy is the only work we do. That focus translates directly into sharper briefs and better outcomes for our clients in the Utah Court of Appeals and Utah Supreme Court.

Refer to What does an Appellate Attorney Do?.

Timelines vary by court, case complexity, and briefing schedules. In the Utah Court of Appeals, most appeals resolve within 12–18 months from the notice of appeal. Utah Supreme Court cases — particularly those involving petitions for certiorari or original jurisdiction — may take two years or more. Lotus Appellate Law keeps clients informed at every stage and meets every deadline without exception.

If you’re considering an appeal in Utah, act quickly. Appellate deadlines are jurisdictional — miss them and your right to appeal may be lost entirely. Contact Lotus Appellate Law in Salt Lake City to schedule a consultation. We’ll review your case, give you an honest assessment, and help you decide whether an appeal is the right path forward.

Our Team

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Cherise Bacalski

Founder, Appellate Attorney

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Craig Pankratz

Appellate Attorney

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James Duffin

Appellate Paralegal

Appellate Services

Lotus Appellate Law provides Salt Lake City clients and Utah trial counsel with the full range of appellate services — from post-trial motions through final disposition. Every matter is handled with the same analytical rigor and procedural precision, regardless of case complexity or stage.

Learn About the Utah Appellate Process

Interlocutory Appeals

Motion for Summary Judgment

Post-trial Motions

Supreme Court Petitions

Post-Conviction Relief

Appellate Record Review

Expedited Appeals

Embedded Appellate Counsel

Appellate Topics

  • a group of people sitting at a table in a courtroom
    • Firm Insights

    Exceptions to the final judgment rule in Utah
    By Cherise Bacalski • September 24, 2025
    In Utah, in order for the appellate court to take jurisdiction over your claim, you must obtain a final judgment. The final judgment rule is jurisdictional, and without it, the court of appeals will dismiss your case. It’s helpful—and indeed…
    Read More
    • Jurisdiction
    • |
    • UPEPA
  • lawyers working around a table
    • Firm Insights

    Do you have a malpractice claim?
    By Cherise Bacalski • July 22, 2025
    I get calls frequently from clients wanting to appeal based on their attorney’s failure to admit evidence at trial. It isn’t that the attorney tried to admit the evidence and the trial court blocked their efforts: that is a legal…
    Read More
    • Malpractice
  • People assembled in a park for a political rally
    • Appellate Procedure

    Top Strategies for Defending Against SLAPP and Anti-SLAPP Claims
    By Cherise Bacalski • March 20, 2025
    Slapp and Anti-Slapp In the realm of legal battles, SLAPP and Anti-SLAPP claims hold a unique position. They are tools wielded in the ongoing struggle between free speech and the desire to silence criticism. SLAPP stands for Strategic Lawsuit Against…
    Read More
    • SLAPP
    • |
    • UPEPA

Core Appellate Practice Areas

Lotus Appellate Law handles civil and criminal appeals across a wide range of practice areas in the Utah Court of Appeals and Utah Supreme Court. Select any area below to learn more about the appellate considerations specific to that type of case.

Civil Appeals

Criminal
Appeals

Family Law Appeals

Uniform Public Expression Protection Act Appeals
(UPEPA)

Medical Malpractice Appeals

Personal Injury Appeals

Professional Malpractice Appeals

Environmental and Land Use Appeals

Employment Law Appeals

Probate and Estate Appeals

Juvenile Law Appeals

Amicus Brief

Recent Utah Appellate Court Decisions