Appellate Practice

The record is built at trial. The case is won on appeal.

Texas Supreme Court oral argument. Dozens of appellate matters across every Texas Court of Appeals. Flat-fee briefing that makes appellate co-counsel accessible — even on contingency files.

Get a Quote Appellate Record
TX SCOral Argument Presented
5+TX Supreme Court Matters
AllTX Courts of Appeals
Appellate courts do not retry facts. They review the record for legal error — on a cold record, with no witness to watch. Every word of an appellate brief must earn its place. The writing discipline required is categorically different from trial work.
The Craft

What Separates Appellate Writing from Trial Writing

Standard of Review

Every issue has one. De novo, abuse of discretion, legal sufficiency, factual sufficiency — each requires a different argument structure and a different win condition. Getting this wrong loses cases before the argument begins.

Error Preservation

An argument not raised at trial with a specific, timely objection is waived. Period. Issue mapping against the trial record is the first task on every engagement — and engaging appellate co-counsel before trial is the most underutilized tool in litigation.

Record Citation

Every factual assertion must cite the record. Uncited facts are ignored. Bad cites destroy credibility with the panel. Citation verification is included in every brief engagement.

Harm Analysis

Texas requires showing that error “probably caused rendition of an improper judgment.” Even provable error without demonstrable harm loses. Harm analysis shapes how issues are framed from the opening paragraph.

Issue Selection

Weak issues dilute strong ones. The best appellate briefs present two or three issues, not twelve. Winnowing is a skill trial lawyers often resist — and one that separates serviceable briefs from winning ones.

Statement of Facts

The SOF is where appellate cases are won before the argument section begins. A well-constructed SOF frames every issue before the court reads a single argument. This is where the brief lives or dies.

Appellate Record

Selected Matters

A practice concentrated at the Fifth Court of Appeals in Dallas — with matters across every Texas Court of Appeals and the Texas Supreme Court.

Texas Supreme Court
In re Christianson Air Conditioning & Heating

No. 20-0384 (Tex. 2020) — Presented oral argument before the Texas Supreme Court. Successfully challenged overly broad jurisdictional discovery directed at design professional client.

Favorable Ruling
Hassell Construction Co. v. Springwoods Realty Co.

No. 23-0836 (Tex. 2023) — Petition for review following favorable court of appeals ruling for engineering firm.

Petition for Review
Childress Engineering Services, Inc. v. Starside Construction

No. 24-0405 (Tex. 2024) — Petition for review on construction contract dispute.

Petition for Review
Cobalt Engineering and Inspections, LLC v. Gilbert

No. 25-0952 (Tex. 2025) — Petition for writ of mandamus on behalf of engineering firm.

Mandamus Petition
Fifth Court of Appeals — Dallas (Primary Court)
Pro. Serv. Indus., Inc. v. Ibey

No. 05-24-00541-CV, 2025 WL 1737328 (Tex. App.—Dallas June 23, 2025) — Obtained reversal and dismissal of all claims. Trial court had erroneously ruled Ch. 150 did not apply.

Reversed & Dismissed
Lina T. Ramey & Assocs. v. Wilkie et al.

No. 05-23-00562-CV (Tex. App.—Dallas 2023) — Reversed trial court denial of Ch. 150 motion to dismiss. Fifth Court ordered dismissal of all claims.

Reversed — Ch. 150 Dismissal
Bella Vista Co. Construction Services v. Childress Engineering Services

No. 05-25-01584-CV (Tex. App.—Dallas, pending)

Pending
Childress Engineering Services v. Bella Vista Co. Construction Services

No. 05-25-00969-CV (Tex. App.—Dallas, pending) — Interlocutory appeal; companion matter.

Pending
AGL Constructors v. PTG-HDR JV / Parsons Transportation Group

No. 05-20-00053-CV (Tex. App.—Dallas 2020) — Complex multi-party construction contract dispute.

Resolved
Other Texas Courts of Appeals
In re Apple Inc.

No. 03-24-00591-CV (Tex. App.—Austin 2024) — Successfully defended trial court order compelling discovery in construction litigation from Apple’s mandamus petition.

Mandamus Denied
Hassell Construction Co. v. Springwoods Realty Co.

No. 01-17-00822-CV (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2023) — Presented oral argument; defended engineering firm’s dismissal.

Dismissal Defended
Cobalt Engineering & Inspections, LLC v. Gilbert

No. 01-25-00800-CV (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2025) — Interlocutory appeal; certificate of merit issues.

Pending
Walter P. Moore & Associates, Inc. v. Hancock

No. 01-25-00820-CV (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2025) — Interlocutory appeal; structural engineering firm.

Pending
Chevron Phillips Chemical Co. LP v. Audubon Engineering Co.

No. 09-26-00078-CV (Tex. App.—Beaumont 2026) — Complex commercial and construction appeal.

Pending
Quiddity Engineering, LLC v. Vasquez

No. 11-25-00312-CV (Tex. App.—Eastland 2025) — Interlocutory certificate of merit appeal for engineering design professional.

Pending
Brent Hockins v. U.S. Certified Contractors, Inc.

No. 02-17-00180-CV (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2017) — Defended dismissal of personal injury claims against contractor.

Dismissal Defended

Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Each matter is unique and must be evaluated on its own facts and applicable law.

Process

How an Engagement Works

01

Initial Assessment — $1,500

Review of notice of appeal, key rulings, and record. Written issue memo: preserved issues, standards of review, strongest arguments. Fee credited toward brief fee if you proceed.

02

Flat Fee Quote

Brief fee quoted within 48 hours of completing the assessment. Scope confirmed in writing before drafting begins. No surprises.

03

Draft Delivery

Complete, citation-verified draft brief delivered by agreed deadline. No skeleton outlines. No placeholders. A finished brief.

04

Revision Round

One round of substantive revisions included in the flat fee. Additional rounds available at a fixed per-round rate quoted upfront.

05

Final Filing

Your firm files as lead counsel. Alex’s name appears on the brief as co-counsel if preferred, or the work product is delivered ghostwritten — your choice.

Appellate Deadlines Are Fixed and Unforgiving.

Send the notice of appeal and a one-paragraph description of the case. Alex will return a flat-fee quote within 48 hours of receiving the record.

Send the Record Call Now

Or call directly: 972.328.9615

Contact

Ready to Discuss Your Case?

Whether you’re facing a lawsuit, anticipating a dispute, or need guidance on risk management, Alex is ready to help protect your business.

Office
7701 Lemmon Ave, Suite 223
Dallas, Texas 75209
Schedule Consultation Call Now