Florida Appeals Attorney

An appeal asks a higher court to review a decision made in the court below — to correct a mistake for the party who lost, or to uphold the decision for the party who won. We handle both sides: pursuing appeals for clients seeking to overturn an unfavorable ruling, and defending appeals for clients protecting a judgment in their favor.

At the Law Offices of Albert Goodwin, PA, we handle appeals from trial courts throughout Florida, in the Third District Court of Appeal (Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties), the Fourth District Court of Appeal (Broward, Palm Beach, and surrounding counties), and the Florida Supreme Court. On the federal side, we handle appeals from the Southern District of Florida to the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.

We represent both sides of an appeal: appellants and petitioners seeking to overturn an unfavorable decision, and appellees and respondents defending a favorable one. Whether you just received a decision you believe is wrong, or you won below and want to protect that win, the deadlines are short and the rules are unforgiving — the notice of appeal generally must be filed within 30 days of rendition. Contact us promptly to preserve your right to seek review.

When you call us at 786-522-1411 during business hours, you are connected directly to the appellate attorney, Albert Goodwin — never to an associate or an assistant. When you hire our firm, he handles your appeal directly, with associates in supporting roles.

How an Appeal Is Different From a Trial

An appeal is not a second trial. The appellate court does not hear new testimony, receive new evidence, or re-weigh the facts. Instead, it reviews the written record from the lower court — the transcripts, the filings, and the admitted exhibits — to decide whether the trial judge committed a legal error that affected the outcome. The case is won or lost on the briefs and, when granted, oral argument. This requires a different skill set than trial work: issue spotting in a cold record, command of the governing standards of review, and persuasive written advocacy.

Appeals We Handle

We represent both appellants and appellees across a broad range of Florida appeals:

• Civil appeals — contract, business, real property, fiduciary, and general civil matters.
• Probate & estate appeals — will contests, trust disputes, contested accountings, and guardianship orders, drawing on our deep experience in Florida estate litigation.
• Personal injury appeals — appeals from verdicts, summary judgment, and damages awards in negligence cases.
• Real estate appeals — foreclosure, title, contract, construction lien, and association disputes.
• Partition action appeals — appeals from judgments dividing or forcing the sale of jointly owned property.
• Family law appeals and divorce appeals — custody, timesharing, support, alimony, and equitable distribution.

Understanding the Appeals Process

From the notice of appeal through briefing and oral argument, the Florida appellate process is governed by precise rules and deadlines. Our practice-area library explains each stage in depth: the grounds for appeal, the appellate brief, oral argument, the standards of review, immediate non-final appeals, the writ of certiorari, stays and emergency motions, and the cost of an appeal. You can also review our appeals FAQ.

Courts We Practice In

We handle appeals before the Third District Court of Appeal (Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties), the Fourth District Court of Appeal (Broward, Palm Beach, and surrounding counties), and the Florida Supreme Court. In the federal system, we handle appeals to the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals from the Southern District of Florida.

Why Clients Choose Our Appellate Practice

Direct Attorney Access

Appeals reward careful, individualized attention to the record. You work directly with the attorney handling your appeal, not a rotating cast of associates.

Command of the Record and the Law

We read the record closely, identify the errors that were properly preserved, and present them clearly to the court. We track the evolving case law of Florida's District Courts of Appeal and apply it to your matter.

Honest Case Assessment

Not every adverse ruling is worth appealing, and not every error is reversible. We give you a candid evaluation of the merits, the applicable standard of review, the deadlines, and the likely cost before you commit to an appeal.

We are located in Coral Gables, Miami, and we handle appeals throughout Miami-Dade County, Broward County, Palm Beach County, and the rest of Florida. To discuss your appeal in full confidence, call 786-522-1411 or email [email protected]. Because the deadline to file a notice of appeal is short and jurisdictional, please contact us as soon as an adverse ruling is entered.