Winning Cases After the Verdict — Appellate Lawyers in Boston, MA
A trial is not the end of the road. When the outcome was wrong, the law was misapplied, or the stakes are too high to accept a loss, the appeal is where cases are won — or lost — a second time. For 23 years, Ellsworth & Crane has practiced appellate law at the highest level, one meticulous brief at a time.
The Appeal Is a Different Craft
Appellate work bears little resemblance to trial. There are no witnesses, no juries, no dramatic cross-examinations — only the record, the law, the brief, and the argument. It rewards rigor, scholarship, and the rare ability to see the one issue that changes everything.
Margaret Ellsworth and Julian Crane built this firm to do that work, and only that work. For 23 years we've written the briefs and argued the appeals that reverse judgments, protect verdicts, and shape the law. Trial lawyers across Massachusetts refer their most important appeals to us — and we treat each one as the singular intellectual challenge it is.
- ✓23 years focused exclusively on appeals
- ✓500+ appeals and briefs across state and federal courts
- ✓A 70% favorable outcome rate
- ✓Trusted referral counsel for trial lawyers
Appeals Are Won on the Page
An appeal is a contest of legal reasoning and written persuasion. These are the strengths that decide it.
Mastery of the Record
We comb the trial record for the errors and openings that a fresh, appellate eye is trained to find.
Exceptional Brief-Writing
The brief is the case. Ours are clear, rigorous, and quietly persuasive — the kind judges actually enjoy reading.
Deep Doctrinal Command
Appellate courts decide questions of law. We bring the doctrinal depth those questions demand.
Oral Argument Poise
At the podium, we answer the hard questions with calm, prepared precision that moves the bench.
Ruthless Issue Selection
Winning appeals raise the right issues, not every issue. We find the argument most likely to prevail — and lead with it.
Standard-of-Review Strategy
Half of appellate advocacy is framing the standard of review. We know how to win that fight before it starts.
How We Can Help
From a single post-trial motion to a petition for certiorari, we handle appellate matters at every level.
How an Appeal Unfolds
An appeal follows a disciplined arc. Here is how we move a case from an adverse judgment toward reversal.
Study the Record
We analyze the trial record and rulings to identify the legal errors that give an appeal its best chance.
Frame the Issues
We select and sharpen the strongest arguments, and set the standard of review to our client's advantage.
Write the Brief
We craft a brief that is meticulous, scholarly, and persuasive — the heart of every appeal we win.
Argue and Prevail
At oral argument, we answer the court's toughest questions with the poise that comes from total preparation.
The Window to Appeal Is Short
Appellate deadlines are strict and unforgiving — often just days after a judgment. Miss the window, and even a meritorious appeal can be lost forever. And the groundwork for a strong appeal often begins before trial even ends, in the objections and motions that preserve your issues.
Whether you've just received an adverse ruling or you're a trial lawyer who sees an appeal on the horizon, the time to call is now. The sooner we're involved, the more we can do to protect your right to appeal and build the strongest possible case.
- ✓Strict deadlines — often just days after judgment
- ✓Issue preservation begins during trial
- ✓Early involvement strengthens every appeal
You May Have an Appeal If…
Not every loss is appealable, but many are. These are the signs that an appeal may be worth pursuing.
The court misapplied the law
An error in how the law was interpreted or applied is a classic — and strong — ground for appeal.
Evidence was wrongly admitted or excluded
Erroneous evidentiary rulings that affected the outcome can support a successful appeal.
The jury was improperly instructed
Flawed jury instructions are among the most common and powerful grounds for reversal.
The verdict isn't supported by the evidence
When a result has no reasonable basis in the record, an appellate court can set it aside.
You're a trial lawyer facing an appeal
Whether pursuing or defending an appeal, appellate co-counsel can make the decisive difference.
The stakes are simply too high to accept
For a judgment that threatens your business or your freedom, an appeal may be your most important step.
Your Appellate Partner, Before and After Judgment
Some of our most valuable work happens alongside trial lawyers. We join a case to preserve issues, brief dispositive motions, and shape the record so that if an appeal comes, it starts from strength.
We're proud to be the firm trial attorneys across Massachusetts trust with their clients' appeals. We make our referring counsel look good, protect the relationship, and bring a fresh, specialized perspective exactly when it matters most.
- ✓Issue preservation and post-trial motions
- ✓Seamless co-counsel with your trial team
- ✓A fresh, specialized appellate perspective
How to Begin
From your first call to a filed brief, we bring clarity and rigor to every step.
Case Review
We review the judgment and record and give you a candid, informed assessment of your appeal's prospects.
Strategy & Engagement
If there's a path forward, we map the issues, the timeline, and a clear fee arrangement before we begin.
Brief and Argue
We write, file, and argue your appeal with the meticulous preparation our results are built on.
What Clients and Counsel Say
After a devastating trial loss, Ellsworth & Crane saw the legal error everyone else had missed. They reversed the judgment on appeal and saved my company. Their command of appellate law is simply extraordinary.
As a trial lawyer, I bring Ellsworth & Crane in whenever a case is headed for appeal. Their briefs are works of art, and the appellate judges clearly respect them. They make my clients — and me — look good.
My son's wrongful conviction was overturned because this firm refused to give up. Their appellate brief was meticulous, brilliant, and ultimately life-changing for our family. We will never forget them.
They took a complex issue no one thought was winnable and crafted an argument the court couldn't ignore. Precise, scholarly, and relentlessly strategic. There is no better appellate firm in Boston.
A trial loss is not the final word. If the law was misapplied or the stakes are too high to accept, let's talk about your appeal.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file an appeal?
Appellate deadlines are strict and often very short — sometimes just days after a final judgment. Because missing the deadline can forfeit your appeal entirely, it's critical to contact us as soon as possible after an adverse ruling.
What are the grounds for an appeal?
Appeals are based on legal error — such as a misapplication of the law, improper jury instructions, wrongly admitted or excluded evidence, or a verdict unsupported by the record. We review your case to identify the strongest available grounds.
Can you appeal any case you lost?
Not every loss is appealable, and an appeal isn't a second trial. It focuses on legal errors, not on re-arguing the facts. We'll give you an honest assessment of whether your case presents a viable, worthwhile appeal.
Do you work with my trial lawyer?
Often, yes. We frequently serve as appellate co-counsel alongside trial attorneys — preserving issues, briefing motions, and handling the appeal — while protecting the relationship with your original lawyer.
How much does an appeal cost?
It depends on the complexity of the record and the issues. We offer clear fee arrangements and will discuss the full cost transparently after reviewing your case, so you can make an informed decision.
What are my chances on appeal?
Every case is different, and no honest lawyer can promise an outcome. What we can offer is a candid, experienced assessment of your prospects — grounded in 23 years and 500+ appeals — before you commit to anything.
Let's Review Your Case
Tell us about your judgment or the appeal you're facing, and an Ellsworth & Crane attorney will respond within one business day.