Our Approach
Appellate practice in Illinois requires knowledge of highly specialized rules governing jurisdiction, motion practice and briefs. It also requires a unique style of argument.
Because of our law firm’s extensive experience, ZRFM can offer clients unique insight into the appellate process and provide aggressive and effective representation on appeal.
Save yourself the frustration of learning the mysteries of appellate practice and allow our experienced practitioners to achieve a successful outcome on appeal for you or your clients.
To learn more about Illinois appellate practice – including your right to an appeal, when you must file, and details about the appellate process – please view our Appellate Law FAQs.
Appellate Law Experience
Zukowski, Rogers, Flood & McArdle’s appellate attorneys have extensive experience in both civil and criminal appeals.
Our three appellate law attorneys have many years of experience in prosecuting and defending appeals. In total, our appellate lawyers have handled hundreds of appeals in every area of the law, and they have represented clients in both the Illinois Appellate and Supreme Courts.
One of our appellate lawyers, Jennifer J. Gibson, was a law clerk from 2001 to 2007 for Justice Fred A. Geiger and Justice Barbara Gilleran Johnson, both of the Illinois Second District Appellate Court.
Included in Gibson’s recent appellate litigation experience are the following written opinions and Rule 23 orders:
- In re Marriage of Brill (October 2017)
- In re Marriage of Jones (September 2016)
- Illinois Municipal League Risk Management Association v. City of Genoa (April 2016)
- In re Parentage of E.L. (March 2016)
- F.R.S. Development Company v. American Community Bank and Trust (February 2016)
- The Y-Not Project, Ltd. v. Fox Waterway Agency (January 2016)
- Beeson v. Beeson (December 2015)
- Ryan Hedrich v. Ashley Mack (February 2015)
- Village of Prairie Grove v. Eric D. Puryear (December 2014)
- James Mikolaitis v. Morano Investments/Jerry Morano (September 2014)
- City of Woodstock v. Thomas A. Bezik (September 2014)
- Laura Frazier v. Eric Frazier (June 2014)
- Lake in the Hills v. Dennis Niklaus (with IML Summary) (May 2014)
- Jay Burnstein v. Georgette Burnstein (February 2014)
- FRS Development v. Huntley Venture (September 2013)
- Yvonne J. Norton v. Timothy W. Glab (February 2013)
- City of Harvard v. Elvis J. Henson Trust (September 2012)
- Glenn E. Davis v. Village of Lake Zurich (August 2012)
- Village of Lake in the Hills v. James Mueller (June 2012)
- Illinois v. Hawthorn Woods (March 2012)
- Gorski v. The Board of Fire and Police Commissioners of the City of Woodstock (Dec. 2011)
- Fassnacht v. Baldwin (Oct. 2011)
- The Reserve at Woodstock, LLC v. the City of Woodstock (Sept. 2011)
- In re Marriage of Stephenson (Aug. 2011)
- City of McHenry v. Suvada (June 2011)
- Szewczyk v. Board of Fire & Police Commissioners (June 2011)
- Village of Algonquin v. Lowe (June 2011)
- In re Marriage of Patti Roberts and Donald Roberts (March 2011)
- Village of Richmond v. Magee (Jan. 2011)
- Falcon Funding, LLC v. City of Elgin (March 2010)
- In re Marriage of Kalisz (July 2009)
- The Village of Lake in the Hills v. The Athans Company (Nov. 2008)
- The Village of Lake in the Hills v. Johandes (Aug. 2008)
- McHenry County Defenders v. City of Harvard (July 2008)
- Szewcyk v. Board of Fire & Police Commissioners (March 2008)
Contact Us Today
If you are considering appealing your case – or the case of a client – the appellate law attorneys and professionals at Zukowski, Rogers, Flood & McArdle are available to advise and represent you on appeal.
Schedule a meeting in our law offices in Crystal Lake, Chicago or Oak Brook. We will respond promptly.
Appellate Law FAQs
Yes. In most cases, you have the right to file an appeal following an adverse result at the end of your case. For example, you may appeal a judge or jury’s finding in favor of the other party following a trial. You may also appeal a judge’s decision to dismiss your case or to grant summary judgment in favor of the other party. Additionally, you have the right to file an appeal in a divorce case if you disagree with the judge’s ruling on custody, maintenance, or the division of property. Finally, you have the right to file an appeal in traffic or criminal cases in which you were found guilty. In most cases, the appeal will be heard in the Illinois Appellate Court. In an appeal, you request the appellate court to determine whether the trial court’s decision was supported by the evidence or whether the trial court made errors during the proceedings. If the appellate court finds that the trial court committed an error, it may enter judgment on your behalf or require that the case be tried again. Generally, you may not appeal cases in which you have voluntarily entered into a settlement agreement to resolve the litigation without a trial.
Generally, you must file a notice of appeal in the trial court within 30 days of an adverse ruling. In certain types of cases, you must also file a post-trial motion or motion to reconsider in the trial court before you may file a notice of appeal. The procedural and jurisdictional rules governing appeals are numerous and complex. Failure to comply with these rules may result in the forfeiture of your right to appeal. If you are considering filing an appeal, we recommend that you promptly contact one of our appellate attorneys. At Zukowski, Rogers, Flood & McArdle, our attorneys have a combined total of over 18 years of appellate experience. Several of our appellate attorneys have served as law clerks to justices on the Illinois Appellate Court. Their knowledge and experience can provide you unique insight into the appellate process and offer you the best chance of success on appeal.
After filing a notice of appeal, the record of the proceedings before the trial court must be prepared and submitted to the appellate court. The parties next file written briefs in the appellate court explaining why they believe the trial court erred and providing legal authorities in support of their position. In certain cases, the appellate court will also request the parties to appear before them for oral argument on the points raised in the briefs. After reviewing the case, a three-judge panel of appellate justices will issue a written decision, either affirming or reversing the ruling of the trial court. In certain cases, the appellate court will order that the case be retried due to procedural deficiencies. The rules governing the preparation of the report of the proceedings and the filing of briefs are complex and complicated. Lacking specialized legal training, filing an appeal may be a difficult and time-consuming process. If you are considering filing an appeal, we recommend that you contact one of our appellate attorneys. Our attorneys have a proven track record of success and have represented clients in both the Illinois Appellate and Supreme Courts.