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Appellate Law Made Simple

What An Appeal Really Is (And Is Not)

An appeal is not a new trial with new evidence and new witnesses. It is a focused legal review of what happened in the trial court.

Appellate courts look at:

• Legal errors: Did the judge apply the wrong law or misinterpret a statute

• Procedural mistakes: Did the court follow the rules on motions, evidence, or instructions

• Support in the record: Did the verdict rest on evidence that the law actually allows

Different issues are reviewed under different standards of review:

• Some questions receive fresh review, where the appellate court looks at the issue with no deference to the trial judge.

• Other decisions stand unless they were clearly wrong or not supported by any reasonable view of the evidence.

• Jury verdicts often stand if they are supported by substantial evidence, meaning a reasonable jury could have reached that conclusion.

A strong appellate lawyer knows how to frame issues inside those standards, rather than simply re-arguing the case.

Types of Appeals We Handle

We represent clients in:

• Criminal appeals: convictions, sentencing errors, and constitutional issues

• Post-conviction relief: motions to vacate, motions for new trial, ineffective assistance claims

• Civil appeals: personal injury, contract disputes, business litigation, and statutory interpretation

• Family law appeals: custody orders, support awards, and property division

• Federal appeals: criminal and civil appeals to the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals, and limited matters involving federal sentencing and post-judgment relief

We also prepare petitions for further review, applications to higher courts, and written opinions assessing whether an appeal is likely to be worth the time and cost.

In-House Appellate Work and Referral Appeals

Ludwig Law Firm performs appellate work in-house. That means the same team that understands complex trial issues also knows how to translate them into appellate arguments. We:

• Handle appeals arising from our own trial work

• Take referral appeals from other law firms

• Join existing trial teams to spot and preserve appellate issues before a case ever goes up on appeal

For referring counsel, we can handle the appeal from start to finish or work alongside you as co-counsel, drafting briefs and preparing for oral argument.

How We Build a Strong Appeal

A successful appeal requires a different skill set than trial work. Our team:

• Reviews the entire record: transcripts, exhibits, motions, orders, and verdict forms

• Consults trial counsel: to understand strategy, objections, and preservation issues

• Identifies the strongest issues: not every mistake is worth raising on appeal

• Drafts detailed briefs: clear, well-researched arguments that appellate judges can trust

• Presents oral argument: when the court allows it, we use that time to clarify and emphasize the key points that support reversal or affirmance

We also think about appeals before a case ends: filing motions to dismiss, summary judgment motions, post-trial motions, and requests for new trials that preserve error and frame issues for appellate review.

State and Federal Appeals Lawyer in Arkansas Protecting Your Second Chance

A trial verdict does not always tell the full story. Judges can misapply the law. Juries can reach conclusions that the record does not support. Evidence can come in that never should have been admitted. When that happens, the law gives you a second chance through the appeals process.

At Ludwig Law Firm, we help clients across Little Rock and Arkansas seek further review from the Arkansas Court of Appeals, the Arkansas Supreme Court, and federal appellate courts. Our appellate lawyers handle appeals in criminal cases, civil litigation, family law, and complex statutory interpretation. We also accept appellate referrals from other lawyers who want a dedicated team focused on the record, the rules, and the written arguments that win cases on appeal.

If you want to talk to an attorney now, give us a call at 501-838-4043. Otherwise, read on to understand the basics of drug crimes in Arkansas.

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Results: When Appeals Change Outcomes

Appellate work can:

• Reverse a conviction and send the case back for a new trial

• Correct sentencing errors so a client receives a lawful sentence

• Overturn a trial court’s misinterpretation of a statute and restore a valid claim

• Affirm a favorable judgment when the other side appeals

Our lawyers have obtained favorable outcomes in criminal, civil, and family appeals, including reversals and remands in cases where trial court rulings left clients feeling like they had no options left.

Strategic Partnerships For High-Stakes Criminal Appeals

When a criminal appeal or post-conviction case demands aggressive trial insight and intensive appellate work, we often collaborate with Harry Warden of Warden Law Firm, a well-regarded Little Rock criminal defense lawyer and trial attorney.

You can learn more about his criminal-defense approach on Warden’s criminal defense practice page. Together, our firms combine appellate strategy with courtroom experience, helping Arkansas clients pursue relief in even the most complex cases.

Ludwig Law Firm’s Strategic Advantage

We have taken criminal and civil cases to trial for over 43 years, and that depth of experience shapes our appellate work. Because we see trial and appeal as one continuous process, we know how to:

• Preserve issues during trial

• Challenge rulings on appeal

• Defend favorable judgments when the other side appeals

That perspective gives our clients a cohesive strategy from the first motion to the final written opinion.

Why Hiring an Appellate Lawyer Fast Matters

Appeals are built on deadlines. Missed notice dates and incomplete records can shut the door on meaningful review. The earlier you involve an appellate lawyer, the more options you have: post-trial motions, timely notices of appeal, and a carefully curated record for the higher court to evaluate.

If you or a loved one received an unfavorable verdict or order in Arkansas, call Ludwig Law Firm at 501-838-4043 or visit our appellate practice page to discuss your options.

Disclaimer

The information on this page is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Viewing this page or contacting Ludwig Law Firm through it does not create an attorney–client relationship. Every case is different. For guidance tailored to your situation, please contact Ludwig Law Firm at 501-838-4043 or visit ludwiglawfirm.com.

Ludwig: Law Made Simple

If you want to see different ways we can help you, take a look at our blog, Law Made Simple! Here, we break down ways to protect your rights, highlight recent clients wins, and provide commentary on the impact of current events on the legal landscape.

Frequently asked questions

What exactly is an appeal, and how is it different from a new trial?

An appeal is not a second trial or a chance to present new evidence. Instead, the appellate court reviews what happened in the trial court to determine whether legal errors, procedural mistakes, or unsupported rulings affected the outcome. Appeals focus on the record — transcripts, motions, exhibits, and orders — to determine whether the trial court applied the law correctly.

How do I know if I have grounds to appeal my case?

Grounds for appeal often involve issues such as incorrect legal rulings, improperly admitted or excluded evidence, unfair jury instructions, or a verdict that is not supported by the record. The best way to determine whether an appeal is viable is through a full review of the trial transcript and filings. Appellate attorneys examine the record to identify preserved errors and evaluate whether those issues meet the appropriate standard of review.

What deadlines apply to filing an appeal in Arkansas?

Appeals involve strict and unforgiving timelines. Certain notices must be filed shortly after judgment, and the record must be prepared correctly for the appellate court. Missing a deadline can prevent the court from hearing the appeal at all. That’s why many clients hire an appellate lawyer as soon as the judgment is entered, so post-trial motions, notices, and record designations are handled correctly from the start.

Can you handle an appeal even if you didn’t represent me at trial?

Yes. Many appellate lawyers — including our team — frequently handle appeals referred by other attorneys or requested directly by clients who want a fresh set of eyes. Reviewing a case from outside the trial process allows appellate counsel to identify errors, preservation issues, and potential arguments without being influenced by how the trial unfolded. We coordinate with trial counsel when needed, but we independently evaluate whether the record supports reversal, modification, or affirmance of the lower court’s decision.

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