Federal Appellate Practice and Procedure in a Nutshell

This Nutshell provides a comprehensive overview of federal appellate practice and procedure, suitable for practicing lawyers as a deskbook, and for law students as a study aid. It focuses both on the federal courts of appeals and on the US Supreme Court. Federal circuit court topics include, among others, preservation of error, the final judgment rule and its exceptions, the notice of appeal, parties to the appeal, relief pending appeal, standards and scope of review, briefing and oral argument, alternative dispute resolution, entry of judgment, and rehearing en banc. Supreme Court topics include, among others, jurisdiction over federal cases, jurisdiction over state cases, the certiorari process, original jurisdiction, briefing and oral argument, and the role of the Solicitor General. Also included are discussions of the structure and caseloads of the federal appellate system, appellate ethics and professionalism, certification of issues to state courts, appellate court procedures during COVID, and the future of appellate justice.