Daphne A. Burns represents clients in appeals and original actions in Oklahoma appellate courts. She works with trial attorneys and/or parties to appeal trial court judgments or orders, or to defend them on appeal. She has over two decades of experience in appeals before state and federal courts.
Why Hire an Appellate Attorney?
Attorneys who represent clients before state and federal appellate courts generally possess a unique set of skills different from that of trial attorneys. For instance, whereas a trial attorney is often focused exclusively on the issues as presented at trial, an appellate attorney analyzes the case with a broader lens as well—with a view toward framing the issues in the context of current case law.
A practicing appellate attorney also has a working knowledge of the appellate court rules, which informs their strategy.
A good appellate attorney understands that there is an art to crafting solid, well-reasoned, and well-supported arguments that provide the bases for an appellate court's decision.
On a more subtle level, a good appellate attorney also understands the difference in dynamics between a courtroom trial and a paper record, and they draft appellate briefs with that in mind.
A seasoned appellate attorney takes the time to write concise briefs—understanding the limits on the appellate court's resources.
Appellate work involves a discipline and manner of thinking different from that of trial work. It is often advantageous to hire an appellate attorney to handle a case on appeal—or, at a minimum, to assist with drafting the briefs.
