An unfavorable trial court outcome is not necessarily the end of the road. The appellate process provides a critical opportunity to challenge legal errors, preserve important rights, and seek a better result — but success on appeal requires a fundamentally different skill set than trial work. At Crenshaw, Dupree & Milam, our Lubbock law firm has extensive experience representing clients in both state and federal appellate courts, handling appeals across a wide range of practice areas with the precision and strategic focus that appellate work demands.
Appellate practice is not simply a continuation of the trial — it is its own discipline. Our attorneys meticulously review trial records, identify reversible error, research applicable case law, and craft persuasive briefs that present our clients’ arguments in the clearest and most compelling terms possible. Whether we are challenging an adverse judgment or defending a favorable one, we bring the same depth of preparation and commitment to every appeal.
Our appellate practice spans Texas state courts — including the Courts of Appeals and the Texas Supreme Court — as well as the federal circuit and district courts. Matt D. Matzner, one of the firm’s senior partners, has handled more than 40 appeals and is admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, and multiple U.S. District Courts. His experience as a former briefing attorney to Federal District Judge Sam R. Cummings and his long tenure on the Federal District Court Advisory Committee give him a unique perspective on how federal appellate courts evaluate cases — insight that directly informs how we approach briefing and oral argument strategy.
Our appellate experience spans the full breadth of the firm’s practice areas. We have handled appeals arising from commercial litigation disputes, governmental and civil rights cases, insurance litigation matters, medical and professional liability defense, employment law cases, and personal injury matters. That breadth of experience means that when a trial case at our firm proceeds to appeal, the same team that built the case at the trial level can carry it forward — ensuring continuity of strategy and institutional knowledge of every detail of the record.
For clients who come to us at the appellate stage after being represented by other counsel at trial, we conduct an independent and thorough review of the record to identify the strongest grounds for appeal and develop a fresh strategic approach.
The appellate process begins with a careful review of the trial court record — the transcripts, exhibits, filings, and rulings that form the foundation of any appeal. Our attorneys identify issues preserved for appeal, research the applicable legal standards of review, and develop a clear theory of the case before a single word of the brief is written. The appellate brief is the primary vehicle for persuasion at this stage, and we invest the time necessary to make each one as compelling and well-supported as possible.
In cases where oral argument is permitted, our attorneys are experienced advocates before the bench — prepared to answer difficult questions, emphasize the strongest points, and respond to the concerns of the court in real time. When a case requires further review beyond the intermediate appellate court, we are equipped to pursue or respond to petitions for review at the highest levels.
If you have received an adverse judgment and are considering your options, or if you need experienced counsel to defend a favorable ruling on appeal, contact our Lubbock law firm today. You can reach us by phone at 806-590-1780 or via e-mail.
