About

Provided by Complex Appellate Litigation Group LLP

The Complex Appellate Litigation Group LLP is one of the nation's leading appellate specialty boutiques, with more than two-dozen award-winning appellate attorneys and former appellate court law clerks. The firm has no associates, so every one of its lawyers has at least a decade of experience taking on high-stakes appellate matters for businesses, governments, organizations, and individuals. The firm has a nationwide appellate practice, with special expertise in California and the Ninth Circuit.


Recently, the firm:

  • obtained vacatur of a $36.5 million jury verdict against a mechanical engineering corporation sued in a wrongful death action;
  • achieved victory for a large insurance company in a $29 million appeal involving defamation and invasion of privacy claims;
  • won a complete victory across five separate, related appeals totaling more than $13.5 million, in a contract and tort dispute between business founders;
  • and successfully defended on appeal an intellectual property judgment in favor of one of the world’s leading technology firms.


The firm is currently representing a European conglomerate in a contract and tort appeal with more than $100 million at stake, a large insurer in a precedential COVID-related coverage appeal in the California Supreme Court, a Fortune 500 company in an appeal arising from litigation over the largest-ever female-driven Ponzi scheme, and many more. The firm also often embeds its experts on trial teams.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Litigation: Appellate - California

2
Band 2

What the Team is Known For

Complex Appellate Litigation Group is a distinguished appellate boutique that acts for an impressive client base of major corporates, midmarket companies and individuals in complex appeals. The firm appears regularly before the California state courts and the Ninth Circuit.

Work Highlights

  • Complex Appellate Litigation Group LLP represented Alstom SA in connection with the appeal of a breach of contract judgment which was valued at up to $215 million.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

Mary-Christine (M.C.) Sungaila
2
Mary-Christine (M.C.) Sungaila
2
Band 2
Mary-Christine Sungaila maintains a well-regarded and broad appellate practice, with recent experience in employment, trademark and immigration matters.

MC is a great lawyer and a pleasure to work with. She combines appellate expertise with a collegial and team-focused style that leads to the best results while maintaining trust and mutual respect.

She's a strong writer and is able to work quickly to understand complex issues and write an effective brief about them.

I would work with her again in a heartbeat.

Mary-Christine is an extraordinary lawyer.

Rex S Heinke
2
Rex S Heinke
2
Band 2
Rex Heinke is a highly regarded and well-respected veteran of state and federal appellate court disputes. He has impressive experience in acting for large international corporations across a range of sectors, as well as representing individuals.

Rex is impressively skilled, provides great advice and maintains a calm demeanor.

Rex is very responsive, provides good advice and is a good writer.

Brian Sutherland
4
Brian Sutherland
4
Band 4
Brian Sutherland is an experienced appellate litigator, with a strong track record in appearing before federal appellate courts on behalf of both individual and corporate clients.

Brian's very quick to respond with practical advice and really good at cutting through theory and research to provide us with tailored and actionable work product.

Ranked Lawyers at
Complex Appellate Litigation Group LLP

Provided by Chambers
Filter by
Band

California

Litigation: Appellate

Mary-Christine (M.C.) Sungaila
2
Mary-Christine (M.C.) Sungaila
2
Band 2
Rex S Heinke
2
Rex S Heinke
2
Band 2
Brian Sutherland
4
Brian Sutherland
4
Band 4

Members

Provided by Complex Appellate Litigation Group LLP

Anna-Rose Mathieson

Ben Feuer

Head of Department

Charles Kagay

Claudia Ribet

Frank McGuire

Greg Ellis

Greg Wolf

Jennifer Teaford

Jens Koepke

Jessica Weisel

Jocelyn Sperling

Johanna Schiavoni

Katy Graham

Kelly Woodruff

Kirstin Ault

Melanie Gold

Michael von Loewenfeldt

Pat Benke

Robert A. Roth

Sharon Baumgold

Susan Horst

Susan Yorke