Appeals & Appellate

We understand that the stakes are high in appeals to the Appellate and Supreme Court. The outcome of an appeal does not just determine a winner or loser; it determines whether a case ends, or a new trial is assigned. Appeals are lengthy, complex, and require persuasive arguments and effective strategy to be successful. Identifying legal issues and communicating arguments relating to those legal issues in a compelling and persuasive manner is of the utmost importance.

An appeal is different from litigation in the Superior Court. While a divorce trial or hearing focuses on evidence and proving facts of a case, an appeal focuses solely on legal errors, or mistakes of law, that may have been made by the Superior Court.

An appeal is made up of two components: the legal brief and oral argument. The legal brief is your opportunity to set forth the law and layout your argument to the panel of judges (called justices). The oral argument is your opportunity to argue the finer points of your brief and respond to complex and detailed inquiries by the panel of justices. Successful oral argument requires being prepared for both the expected and unexpected

Several of our attorneys regularly argue, brief, and consult on cases in the Connecticut Appellate and Supreme Courts. Many of the preeminent family law cases that have come out of the Appellate and Supreme Courts in Connecticut in the last several years have been cases involving one or more of the attorneys at GraberRoberts, LLC. Perhaps the finest endorsement of our appellate practice is that other family lawyers regularly refer their clients to our firm.

In addition to our strong representation in the Appellate and Supreme Courts, we provide prospective appellate clients with honest assessments of success on appeal based on our knowledge and experience. We believe that a successful appeal always places the client’s interests first.

Notable Appellate Cases Involving Attorneys from GraberRoberts:

  • Ill v Manzo-Ill, 210 Conn. App. 364 (2021),  cert. denied, 343 Conn. 909 (2022)

  • Powers v. Hiranandani, 197 Conn. App. 384 (2020)

  • Lederle v. Spivey, 332 Conn. 837 (2019)

  • Laborne v. Laborne, 189 Conn. App. 353 (2019)

  • Wolyniec v. Wolyniec, 188 Conn. App. 53 (2019)

  • Spencer v. Spencer, 177 Conn.App. 504 (2017), cert. granted, 328 Conn. 903 (2018)

  • Forgione v. Forgione¸162 Conn.App. 1 (2015), cert. granted, 328 Conn. 922 (2018)

  • Lederle v. Spivey, 174 Conn.App. 592, cert. granted, 327 Conn. 954 (2017)

  • Ding v. Lazaro, 171 Conn.App. 552 (2017)

  • Mahoney v. Smith, 174 Conn.App. 639 (2017)

  • Nuzzi v. Nuzzi, 164 Conn.App. 751, cert. granted, 323 Conn. 902 (2016)

  • Gabriel v. Gabriel, 324 Conn. 324 (2016)

  • Baker v. Whitnum-Baker, 163 Conn.App. 903, cert. denied, 321 Conn. 926 (2016)

  • Baker v. Whitnum-Baker, 161 Conn.App. 227 (2015), cert. denied, 321 Conn. 922 (2016)

  • Zilkha v. Zilkha, 159 Conn.App. 167 (2015)

  • Schneider v. Schneider, 161 Conn.App. 538 (2015)

  • Gabriel v. Gabriel, 319 Conn.App. 805, cert. granted, 319 Conn. 948 (2015)

  • Lederle v. Spivey, 151 Conn.App. 813, cert. denied, 314 Conn. 932 (2014)

  • Greenan v. Greenan, 150 ConnApp. 289, cert. denied, 314 Conn. 902 (2014)

  • Keller v. Keller, 141 Conn.App. 681 (2013)

  • Morgan v. Morgan, 136 Conn.App. 371 (2012)

  • Bruno v. Whipple, 138 Conn.App. 496 (2012)

  • Bruno v. Bruno, 132 Conn.App. 339 (2011)

  • Shaulson v. Shaulson, 125 Conn.App. 734 (2010), cert. denied, 300 Conn. 912 (2011)

  • Marshall v. Marshall, 119 Conn.App. 120, cert. granted, 296 Conn. 908 (2010)

  • McKenna v. Delente, 123 Conn.App. 146 (2010)

  • McKenna v. Delente, 123 Conn.App. 137 (2010)

  • Cannon v. Cannon, 109 Conn.App. 844 (2008)

  • Monette v. Monette, 102 Conn.App. 1 (2007)

  • Simes v. Simes, 95 Conn.App. 39 (2006)

  • Weinstein v. Weinstein, 275 Conn. 671 (2005)

  • Izard v. Izard, 869 Conn.App.506 (2005)

  • Grimm v. Grimm, 276 Conn. 377 (2005)