At Lotus Appellate Law, we see this scenario regularly now. Someone represents themselves pro se in their divorce case, uses AI to draft a motion, files it, and the opposing party has to spend time responding to something frivolous or…
Two of the most-searched post-conviction topics in Utah are expungement and post-conviction relief — and they are frequently confused. This confusion is understandable: both address the aftermath of a criminal conviction, and both involve court proceedings that can change the…
Summary dismissal is the most common outcome for PCRA petitions in Utah. The district court reviews the petition, concludes that it fails to meet the legal standard for a hearing, and dismisses it — without requiring the State to respond,…
Summary judgment does not have to be all or nothing. Utah Rule of Civil Procedure 56(a) explicitly permits motions for summary judgment on “a claim, defense, or part of a claim or defense.” Even when dismissing the entire case is…
Receiving a motion for summary judgment can feel like the other side is holding all the cards. Their brief makes the case look airtight. Their statement of undisputed facts is long, cited to the record at every turn, and tells…
A final judgment in a civil case carries significant legal weight. Finality is a core value of the litigation system: parties should be able to rely on judgments, litigation should end, and courts should not be endlessly relitigating settled matters….
The jury has returned a verdict. Your client lost. And yet the evidence — fairly reviewed — did not support the result. The jury heard testimony, saw exhibits, and reached a conclusion that no reasonable set of factfinders should have…
Lotus Appellate Law handles appeals throughout Utah, serving clients in all counties and courts across the state including: