Respected. Responsive. Results.

Zabel Schellenberg’s experienced appellate team has briefed and argued well over 100 appeals before Connecticut’s appellate courts, including the Connecticut Supreme Court. Our attorneys have substantial experience navigating the procedural and substantive demands of appellate litigation and bring a deep command of persuasive legal writing, oral advocacy, and appellate strategy to every matter we handle.

Effective appellate advocacy requires more than identifying legal error. Appeals often turn on how issues were developed and preserved below, the applicable standard of review, the strength of the underlying record, and the ability to distill complex factual and legal questions into clear and persuasive arguments. Our attorneys approach each appeal with careful attention to these considerations, developing focused strategies tailored to the legal issues, procedural posture, and objectives of each client.

Comprehensive Appellate Advocacy

Our appellate practice spans a wide range of civil matters arising from virtually every area of the firm’s work. We handle appeals involving municipal and governmental law, land use and zoning, commercial disputes, employment matters, and other complex civil litigation. Because our appellate attorneys work across multiple substantive areas of law, we are able to combine sophisticated appellate advocacy with a strong understanding of the underlying legal and practical issues at stake.

Our appellate work is informed by decades of combined trial and litigation experience, giving our attorneys a comprehensive understanding of how appellate issues develop long before a notice of appeal is filed. We understand the importance of building a strong record, preserving claims of error, evaluating significant rulings as a matter progresses, and positioning issues effectively for appellate review.

When appropriate, our appellate attorneys work with clients and trial counsel before final judgment to identify potentially significant appellate issues and provide strategic guidance as a case develops. Early appellate involvement can be particularly valuable in complex matters where the framing of an issue, preservation of a claim, or development of the record may significantly affect the scope and strength of a later appeal.

We also represent clients in administrative appeals involving municipal, land use, zoning, wetlands, and other governmental and regulatory decisions. These matters often require careful analysis of administrative records, statutory and regulatory frameworks, agency authority, standards of review, and the degree of judicial deference afforded to governmental decision-making. Our experience representing both public and private clients provides valuable perspective in navigating these complex proceedings.

Recognized Experience

Zabel Schellenberg is proud to have Barbara M. Schellenberg recognized in the 2027 edition of The Best Lawyers in America® for Appellate Practice. Barbara has been recognized by Best Lawyers for Appellate Practice every year since 2021.

Barbara has also been selected to the Connecticut Super Lawyers® list for Appellate practice from 2012 through 2026, and was named to the Top 25 Women Connecticut Super Lawyers list in 2021, 2022, and 2024.

Zabel Schellenberg was also named a Regional Tier 3 firm in New Haven for Appellate Practice in the 2026 edition of Best Law Firms®. The firm’s recognition for appellate practice complements the individual recognition of Barbara M. Schellenberg and reflects the depth of experience our attorneys bring to appellate matters before Connecticut’s courts.

Focused Appellate Strategy

Whether serving as appellate counsel from the outset or working collaboratively with trial counsel inside or outside the firm, we focus on identifying the issues most likely to matter on review and developing a clear and disciplined appellate strategy. An effective appellate brief must do more than recount the history of a case, it must organize a complicated record, identify the controlling legal principles, anticipate competing arguments, and explain with precision why the judgment or decision below should be affirmed, reversed, or otherwise modified.

Oral argument presents a distinct opportunity to engage directly with the appellate court. Our attorneys prepare extensively to address not only the strongest aspects of our client’s position, but also the difficult questions likely to concern the court. We approach oral advocacy with the preparation, flexibility, and command of the record necessary to respond directly to the court’s questions while reinforcing the legal and practical considerations supporting our client’s position.

Whether seeking to overturn an unfavorable judgment, defend a hard-won victory, preserve an important ruling, or obtain appellate guidance on a significant issue of law, Zabel Schellenberg brings rigorous analysis, careful preparation, and experienced advocacy to every stage of the appellate process.

For More Information

For more information about our appellate law services, schedule a consultation today.