First Circuit Appellate Attorneys

Unlike other appellate courts which allow for an appeal as of right, appeals to the United States Supreme Court are only granted upon permission. In order to seek appellate review by the U.S. Supreme Court, a Petition for a Writ of Certiorari must be filed with the court. This Petition must set forth compelling reasons why the court should take up the case. These compelling reasons usually involve a situation wherein a United States court of appeals has rendered a decision in conflict with a decision of another United States court of appeals or has decided an important federal question that conflicts with a decision of the highest court of a state. Another compelling reason is where a state court of last resort has decided an important federal question that conflicts with the decision of another state court of last resort or the decision of a United States court of appeals. Yet another example is when a state's highest appellate court or a United States court of appeals decides an important question of federal law that should be decided by the U.S. Supreme Court or has decided an important federal question in a way that conflicts with previous decisions of the U.S. Supreme Court.