Arizona Appellate Attorney
An appeal is a second chance. It's a second chance to prove your case—a second chance at justice.
Focused Appeals is here to help you take your second chance.
And if a judgment in your favor has been appealed, we can defend your interests.
Why Hire an Appellate Attorney?
Your trial attorney adeptly took your case through all stages of litigation, and now your case is being appealed. So why hire someone new?
- A different skillset: Trial attorneys know how to present a case to a jury; appellate attorneys know how to present a case to a panel of judges. Trial work focuses on gathering, presenting, and arguing over facts; appellate work focuses on thorough legal research, persuasive analysis, and impeccable writing. While there is overlap, appellate attorneys excel in the skills most important for appeals.
- A new perspective: Attorneys and litigants inevitably get tunnel vision in their cases, and can get stuck with a view that developed early in the litigation. An appellate attorney will bring a fresh set of eyes and can offer a more independent analysis on the case's merits and arguments. This fresh perspective can help frame good arguments more persuasively.
- Knowledge of appellate practice and procedure: Appellate courts have their own rules of procedure, and appellate judges have their own preferences. An appellate attorney is familiar with the rules of appellate procedure and the "best practices" on appeal, allowing you to put your best foot forward on appeal.
- Synergy: During an appeal, trial attorneys usually remain counsel of record while the appellate attorney takes care of the appeal. Working together, trial counsel and appellate counsel can produce work better than they could separately.
- Potential cost savings: At Focused Appeals, I keep overhead expenses to a minimum and pass the cost savings on to clients. As a result, my hourly rate will probably be lower than your trial attorney's, and flat-rate packages may also save money.
About
I created Focused Appeals because appellate work is my focus—that's a given. But also because after reading dozens of briefs while working at the Arizona Court of Appeals, I concluded that the most common mistake in appeals is a lack of focus. If a brief isn't focused, the strongest arguments will seem weak. If an argument isn't focused, it will not be persuasive. If a sentence isn't focused, it will be misunderstood.
My law practice and my entire career is focused on what matters most in appellate work: careful legal research, writing, and analysis. In fact, other attorneys hire me to help with their research and writing needs. I've also clerked at the Arizona Court of Appeals where I helped two judges research and draft their opinions. This experience gave me an inside look at what practices judges find to be persuasive.
When not working, I am probably spending time with my family and enjoying the great outdoors.
Austin Martineau
Focused Appeals PLLC
Testimonials
Austin and I have been working together for over two years and have achieved amazing results—including a published opinion in the Arizona Court of Appeals. Austin has the most balanced skill set out of all the independent contractors I have engaged. His legal analysis and writing style show a perfect balance between highly academic and simple. The value of services he provides is amazing. The only regret I have is that I didn't start "winning" with Austin earlier.
Richard Rahnema, Attorney in Lake Havasu City, Arizona
I have used Austin Martineau on a number of occasions for contract research work. Austin impressed me deeply with both his research skills and his ability to convey his findings. I can't think of anyone I've dealt with who has wowed me more in those abilities. I found him to be highly efficient and right on point.
Isaac D. Paxman, Attorney in Provo, Utah
I utilize Austin whenever I can—especially for research and preparing motions for summary judgment. Austin always delivers on or ahead of schedule and on budget. His writing is clean and effective, his research is superb, and his attention to detail is the best I've seen. It doesn't matter how large a file I give him, he not only tackles it, but often suggests new lines of argument. I would recommend him to anyone.
Riley S. Snow, Attorney in Scottsdale, Arizona
As a law clerk, Austin quickly proved to be hard-working, dependable, thoughtful, and thorough. His research memos were insightful and superior in quality to those of his peers.
Austin especially was adept at churning out memos at a record pace. Clearly, he is no stranger to effectively dealing with high volume without sacrificing the accuracy, thoroughness, or quality of his work product. My colleagues and I referred to Austin as "the star of the group" and "a memo machine."
Adi Dynar, Attorney in Phoenix, Arizona