A trial court verdict isn’t always the end of the road. When a case has been decided incorrectly—because of legal errors, improper admission of evidence, flawed jury instructions, or other issues that affected the outcome—an appeal may be the path to a just result. Appellate practice is a distinct discipline from trial work, and it requires attorneys who understand how to identify the right issues, frame them persuasively in writing, and argue them effectively before appellate judges. Inman & Strickler handles appeals in Virginia’s state court system and in the federal Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Appeals are not simply a second chance to re-argue the facts of a case. Appellate courts review whether legal errors occurred in the trial court—not whether they would have reached the same factual conclusions as the jury or judge. Understanding which issues are viable on appeal, and which aren’t, is the foundational skill of appellate practice.
Issues that may support an appeal include improper exclusion or admission of evidence, incorrect jury instructions, legal rulings on motions that affected the outcome, sentencing errors in criminal cases, and insufficient legal basis for a judgment. If you believe the process that led to your verdict was flawed, a conversation with an appellate attorney is the first step.
Virginia’s appellate system includes the Court of Appeals of Virginia and the Supreme Court of Virginia. Cases originating in circuit courts typically proceed first to the Court of Appeals, and further review by the Supreme Court is discretionary in most cases. Federal civil and criminal cases from the Eastern District of Virginia—where Norfolk sits—are appealed to the Fourth Circuit, which has jurisdiction over Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, and West Virginia.
Appeals are primarily a written exercise. The quality of the brief—its legal analysis, its command of the record, and its persuasive structure—is what drives most appellate outcomes. Our attorneys have the research and writing skills that effective appellate advocacy demands.
Not every client is the one appealing. When a favorable trial verdict is being challenged, the party who won at trial needs appellate counsel who can defend that result effectively. We represent prevailing parties in appellate proceedings as well, working to preserve the outcome our clients earned at trial.
Appellate deadlines are strict and unforgiving. If you believe you have grounds for an appeal, or if a verdict against you is being appealed, contact Inman & Strickler as soon as possible. Our attorneys will evaluate your case and give you an honest assessment of the path forward.
