Appellate Practice


Vann & Sheridan, LLP maintains an active practice in the appellate courts of North Carolina. Our attorneys are licensed to practice in all courts in North Carolina. We participate in appeals representing pre-existing clients where trial court decisions result in one party or the other appealing to the North Carolina Court of Appeal or the North Carolina Supreme Court. Several of our lawyers are also admitted to practice before the United States Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals. Nan Hannah in our firm is admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court.

Our experience includes representing appellants (those who did not agree with the trial court's decision) and appellees (the party which prevailed in the trial court, but needs to defend that outcome). We also work with new clients and other attorneys who wish to utilize our experience in the appellate process though our firm was not involved at the trial court level.

Vann & Sheridan recently was retained by a trade association to provide an Amicus Curiae ("Friend of the Court") brief in a successful effort to reverse a Court of Appeals' opinion which was contrary to the interests of the association's members.

Appellate practice requires attention to detail, knowledge of the Rules of Appellate Procedure, strong research and writing skills, and oral advocacy skills. The attorneys at Vann & Sheridan have a strong track record through the appellate process and look forward to assisting future clients in this arena.

Appellate Advocacy

The attorneys of Vann & Sheridan handle cases in the appellate courts of North Carolina. We have attorneys admitted to practice before the:
  • North Carolina Supreme Court
  • North Carolina Court of Appeals
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
  • United States Supreme Court
Our attorneys have experience in post-trial court practice, including the procedural process for having a case dismissed by the trial court through the technical procedural maze that is the state appellate process. The firm handles appeals related to cases tried by the firm's litigators, but also works with clients and attorneys who seek the firm's assistance solely for the appellate process. Vann & Sheridan works with trade associations and industry groups in the filing of amicus ("friend of the court") briefs. These briefs generally involve situations in which the client is not a direct participant, but has a vested interest in seeing the appellate court address and clarify an issue arising out of an existing appeal. Our team of attorneys has a broad base of experience including experienced litigators and former judicial clerks who have experience with all levels of the state appellate process.