Amending a notice of appeal

ByCherise Bacalski Appellate Briefing Reading Time: 1 minute
a watercolor of a man writing on a paper

In many cases, final judgment is final judgment. But if there is anything decided after final judgment occurs—for example, an attorney fee award—then appellate counsel should file an amended notice of appeal. Otherwise, you will not be able to appeal from the attorney fee award. 

A “final judgment” only contemplates orders and decisions that were entered before final judgment—not after. 

So if the court makes additional rulings after final judgment, ensure that you file an amended notice of appeal within 30 days of that additional ruling. This will preserve your right to appeal from that additional ruling, as well as the rest of it.