Coddington, Hicks & Danforth’s successful courtroom record extends beyond the trial court – to state and federal appellate courts in California and elsewhere. The firm regularly represents clients in appellate and extraordinary writ proceedings and in connection with petitions filed with courts of last resort. Cases handled on appeal may be ones that the firm tried in the trial courts or they may have been litigated by other lawyers or law firms.

Often the appellate process raises the specter of issues well beyond the facts in the case at hand. Among these is the risk that pursuing the “wrong” case on appeal may produce “bad law” and poor precedent. To enable its clients to make prudent judgments about which cases to bring before the appellate courts, the firm counsels its clients throughout the appellate process and, most importantly, before the decision to appeal is made.

Extraordinary writ proceedings generally must be briefed quickly and concisely in order to meet the very short deadlines allowed by law. The firm is committed and prepared to meet its clients’ needs for thorough, persuasive briefing even in the face of often severe time limitations.

Appeals handled by the firm frequently involve significant legal issues, large amounts in controversy and voluminous trial court records. Recent cases have involved complex products liability issues, unsettled damages issues and the economic loss doctrine, issues of international treaty interpretation and the scope of constitutional limitations on law enforcement officers.

Appellate Practice

Aviation

Business Litigation
Civil Rights Defense
Fire Litigation
Government Entity

Litigation

Insurance Bad Faith

Insurance Counseling

Insurance Coverage

Products Liability