Full-Service Appellate Representation in Utah
Appellate courts operate by different rules than trial courts. There are no witnesses, no evidence presentations, and no second chances to build the record. What determines the outcome of an appeal is the quality of legal argument — the precision of the brief, the depth of issue analysis, and the ability to persuade a panel of judges that the trial court got it wrong.
At Lotus Appellate Law, appellate work is all we do. That singular focus gives our clients a meaningful advantage at every stage of the appellate process — from identifying appealable issues in the trial record to delivering oral argument before Utah’s highest courts.
Justice may still be within reach — Contact Lotus Appellate Law to discuss your case.
how we work with you
Appellate representation at Lotus Appellate Law takes several forms, and we are experienced in all of them.
Primary Appellate counsel
As primary appellate counsel, we take full responsibility for every stage of the appeal. That begins with a thorough review of the trial record — identifying preserved issues, assessing the applicable standard of review, and developing a strategy built around the strongest available arguments. From there, we handle all briefing, from the opening brief through reply, and represent your interests in oral argument when the court grants it. Depending on the posture of the case, our work may also include post-trial motions, petitions for certiorari to the Utah Supreme Court, and applications for expedited relief when timing is critical.
Embedded appellate counsel
As embedded appellate counsel, we work alongside your existing trial attorney during active litigation — before a verdict is ever rendered. This engagement is most valuable when an appeal is foreseeable, but its benefits extend well beyond appeal preparation. We advise on issue preservation throughout the case, review significant motions for appellate soundness before they are filed, and assist in drafting motions where appellate considerations are particularly at stake — including motions for summary judgment and post-trial motions that must preserve the record for what comes next. The goal is to ensure that the issues most important to your case are properly teed up for appellate review, so that if an appeal becomes necessary, the record is ready to support it.
Appellate Record Review
When a trial has concluded and you are evaluating whether to appeal, appellate record review provides a focused, independent assessment of the trial court record before any commitment to the appellate process is made. We review the transcripts, exhibits, rulings, and motions — identifying preserved issues, evaluating the applicable standards of review, assessing the realistic probability of reversal, and providing a frank written recommendation about whether and how to proceed. Clients who receive this assessment have the information they need to make the appeal decision with their eyes open, not after committing resources to a proceeding that the record may not support.
In any of these capacities, we work closely with you and your legal team to develop a coherent appellate strategy — one that accounts for the standard of review, the composition of the panel, and the procedural posture of the case.
Courts where we appear
Lotus Appellate Law has represented clients before the Utah Court of Appeals, the Utah Supreme Court, and the California Court of Appeal.
Who We Work With
We represent individuals navigating the appellate process for the first time, businesses defending favorable judgments on appeal, and organizations seeking amicus participation in significant cases. We also work directly with trial attorneys — either as primary appellate counsel brought in after judgment, or as embedded appellate counsel working alongside the trial team during active litigation to preserve issues, strengthen motions, and build a record that supports the strongest possible appeal. For trial attorneys and clients evaluating their options after an adverse verdict, our appellate record review service provides an honest, independent assessment before any decision to appeal is made.
Schedule a consultation
Appeals are time-sensitive. Deadlines are strict, and missing them can foreclose your right to appeal entirely. To understand what working with Lotus Appellate Law looks like from start to finish, visit our Our Process page. When you are ready to take the next step, contact Lotus Appellate Law today to evaluate your appellate options and receive a candid assessment of the path forward.
Appellate Services
Lotus Appellate Law provides Utah clients and trial counsel with the full range of appellate services — from interlocutory appeals and post-trial motions to Utah Supreme Court petitions, post-conviction relief, and embedded appellate counsel for active litigation. Whether the case is at the pre-trial stage, proceeding through appeal, or at the post-conviction level, every matter is handled with the same analytical rigor and procedural precision.
Learn About the Utah Appellate Process
An introduction to how appellate courts work and what to expect at the Utah Court of Appeals and Utah Supreme Court.
Interlocutory Appeals
A petition for permission to appeal a significant ruling before the case concludes at the trial court level. Available when the ruling involves substantial rights or when early appellate resolution would better serve justice. The petition must be filed within 21 days of the order.
Post-Trial Motions
Motions for new trial, judgment notwithstanding the verdict, and motions to alter or amend judgment — the final preservation window before an appeal is filed. Must be filed within 28 days of entry of judgment and drafted with appellate consequences in mind.
Motions for Summary Judgment
Drafting and opposing motions for summary judgment with appellate soundness built in from the outset — ensuring that the ruling produced, and any error in it, is positioned for the most favorable appellate review possible.
Utah Supreme Court Petitions
Petitions for certiorari to the Utah Supreme Court following an adverse Court of Appeals decision, and direct appeals in cases within the Supreme Court’s original jurisdiction. Certiorari is discretionary — the petition must demonstrate why the case merits the Supreme Court’s attention.
Post-Conviction Relief
Post-conviction proceedings under Utah’s Post-Conviction Remedies Act (PCRA) for defendants whose direct appeals have concluded or were never filed. Covers constitutional violations, newly discovered evidence, ineffective assistance of counsel, actual innocence claims, and DNA testing petitions — with the ability to introduce evidence the direct appeal could not consider.
Appellate Record Review
A standalone pre-appeal engagement: a thorough, independent review of the trial court record to identify preserved appellate issues, assess the applicable standards of review, evaluate the realistic probability of reversal, and provide a frank written recommendation about whether and how to proceed — before any commitment to the appellate process is made. Available to individuals, businesses, trial attorneys, and insurance carriers.
Embedded Appellate Counsel
Appellate co-counsel working alongside the trial team during active litigation — advising on issue preservation, reviewing proposed jury instructions for appellate soundness, framing evidentiary objections correctly, and drafting post-trial motions with the appeal in mind. Most appeals are won or lost at trial, not in the brief. Embedded appellate counsel protects your client’s appellate options while the case is still in motion.
Expedited Appeals
When time is critical — a preliminary injunction, an order with immediate consequences, or a UPEPA motion denial with a 30-day appeal window — Lotus Appellate Law handles expedited appellate proceedings. Contact us immediately when a deadline is approaching.
Appellate Services
Lotus Appellate Law provides Salt Lake City clients and Utah trial counsel with the full range of appellate services — appeals to the Utah Court of Appeals and Utah Supreme Court, interlocutory appeals, extraordinary writs, post-trial motions, Anti-SLAPP and UPEPA motions and appeals, and preservation counseling for active litigation. Every matter is handled with the same analytical rigor and procedural precision, regardless of case complexity or stage.
Learn About the Utah Appellate Process