DEPARTMENT PROFILE

WilmerHale

Appellate Law

3 ranked lawyers

Band 1

USA - Nationwide

USA 2021 View ranking table

chambers review

department information

Ranked Lawyers

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What the team is known for

Widely considered a leading light in technically complex cases and regulatory challenges, including considerable strengths in intellectual property disputes before the Supreme Court and the Federal Circuit, alongside broader capabilities in areas such as bankruptcy and restructuring, civil rights issues and Native American law. Draws from a notably deep bench with talented and experienced appellate litigators at all ranks of the practice, able to provide exceptional breadth of expertise in handling appeals in state and federal courts nationwide.

Strengths

One client recounts: "Our experience has been very good, they really are experts in their field. They're top notch."

"The appellate team are excellent. They're extremely bright and well prepared," notes a source.

Work highlights

Appeared before the Second Circuit on behalf of Webloyalty.com to affirm a lower court decision which held the company had not violated the Electronic Fund Transfer Act over its communications with loyalty program members.

Notable practitioners

Catherine Carroll enjoys a burgeoning reputation for her appellate practice, which sees her argue and brief cases before a number of state and federal courts, as well as the Supreme Court.
"Catherine is very meticulous and is able to grasp complex issues in a quick and meaningful way."

Danielle Spinelli centers her practice on bankruptcy disputes, with additional expertise in administrative and constitutional law matters, as well as Native American law.
"Danielle is whip-smart and I do not think you can surprise her with a question in oral argument - she is very, very good."

Seth Waxman has a highly respected appellate practice spanning the technology, media and financial sectors, in addition to particular expertise in appeals involving Native American law. He has appeared in a broad array of high-profile disputes and has handled over 80 oral arguments in the US Supreme Court.
"He's an incredibly gifted orator and appellate advocate." "He is very smooth and his briefs are always super high quality."

Department Information

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Overview

Our practice is universally recognized as among the very best nationwide. Clients retain us for the most complex and high-stakes matters, and our victories have helped shape the legal landscape in many arenas. We have an equally wide-ranging practice in the federal courts of appeals and the state appellate courts; handle or assist with complex legal matters in the trial courts; and provide strategic advice to clients in a variety of industries and across a range of legal areas.

Our practice is chaired by former US Solicitor General Seth Waxman, who has argued 84 cases before the US Supreme Court. We have a remarkably deep bench: Vice Chairs Mark Fleming and Danielle Spinelli have argued six and seven Supreme Court cases, respectively, and Partners Debo Adegbile, Catherine Carroll, Tom Saunders and David Bowker have each argued multiple Supreme Court cases. The group has argued several hundred appeals in the federal courts of appeals and state appellate courts.

In 2020, 36 different lawyers made 58 oral arguments in 17 different federal and state courts of appeals. In 2019, we recorded an additional 37 arguments by 13 lawyers in 10 courts. In 2018, 31 of our lawyers argued 52 cases in 16 federal and state courts of appeals, covering a wide range of substantive areas.

To learn more, click here: https://www.wilmerhale.com/en/solutions/appellate-and-supreme-court-litigation