Appellate 101: Barriers To Entering Appellate Practice
Appellate practice is a specialized area that can sometimes feel unreachable. It is writing-centered, rules-heavy, and often shaped by early exposure to appellate work. For many first-generation law students and early-career lawyers, the main barrier is not talent, but access to information and opportunities early enough to build experience and credibility. That is why learning and strengthening appellate skills over time is important.
This resource is designed to make appellate practice more accessible by offering practical ways to explore the field and build skills throughout your legal career.
Contributor
Cody L. Frank, Esq.
Cody L. Frank, Esq. is a first generation college and law school graduate. He is licensed to practice law in Florida and New York. He is a Partner at Brown Sims P.C., where he handles appellate and complex litigation, including state and federal appeals, dispositive motions, and other high-stakes civil matters. He loves writing and appreciates good legal prose, and he brings a record anchored, rule driven approach to briefing that emphasizes clarity, structure, and credibility.
