Brownstone Law

• Civil and criminal appeals in state and federal courts
• Federal appeals in all U.S. Courts of Appeals
• Appeals to the United States Supreme Court
• Post-conviction motions and habeas corpus petitions
• Federal sentencing appeals and motions to reduce sentence
• Appeals involving constitutional law issues and civil rights

How Brownstone Law works on appeals

• Reviews the trial record and identifies potential legal errors
• Conducts in-depth legal research and develops an appellate strategy
• Prepares detailed appellate briefs and motions
• Presents oral arguments before appellate courts
• Works with trial counsel as co-counsel when needed to protect the record

Who Brownstone Law represents

Brownstone Law represents individuals and businesses seeking to challenge or defend trial court decisions in appellate courts nationwide.

Email

• General contact email: robert@brownstonelaw.com

Office addresses

• Main contact address (from the Contact page):

400 N. New York Ave., Suite 215, Winter Park, Florida 32789

• Appellate main office (from the firm's advertisement notice):

201 N. New York Ave., Suite 200, Winter Park, Florida 32790

• New York address referenced on the federal appeals page:

315 Flatbush Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217

Website

• Main website: https://www.brownstonelaw.com

Clients should use these contact details to request a free consultation or to speak with Brownstone Law about a potential appeal.

Brownstone Law handles federal civil and criminal appeals for clients in New York.

Types of New York federal appeals handled

• Federal criminal appeals from New York federal district courts
• Federal civil appeals involving business and commercial disputes
• Appeals in areas such as environmental, administrative, banking, property rights, constitutional law, civil rights, energy, and intellectual property
• Securities fraud and other complex federal litigation appeals

Federal appellate courts and districts in New York

Brownstone Law represents clients before:

• The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
• Federal district courts in New York, including the Southern, Eastern, Northern, and Western Districts of New York
• The United States Supreme Court, where appropriate, in select cases

New York cities and counties served

The firm's federal appeals practice serves clients throughout New York, including:

• Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx, Albany, Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Yonkers, Hempstead, and other cities
• Kings County, Queens County, New York County, Suffolk County, Nassau County, Bronx County, Westchester County, Erie County, Monroe County, and other counties in New York

Clients served

Brownstone Law provides appellate representation for both individuals and businesses involved in federal civil and criminal cases arising in New York.

Lists Westchester, Winter Park, Monroe, York, Suffolk, Albany, Brooklyn, and Buffalo as a location. Names Connecticut, Florida, New York, Vermont, United States, and New York City as a service area. Areas beyond these are not published.

How the firm handles appellate matters

• Focuses exclusively on appeals and post-conviction work.
• Conducts a detailed review of the trial court record and applicable law.
• Develops a strategy tailored to the client's case.
• Drafts appellate briefs and motions and presents oral arguments where appropriate.

Co-counsel and affiliate counsel

• Brownstone Law may work as co-counsel with trial attorneys to help protect the record and preserve issues for appeal.
• The firm may use local counsel or of-counsel lawyers in jurisdictions where required, and may appear pro hac vice when appropriate.
• While Brownstone Law may maintain joint responsibility, affiliated or local counsel may have principal responsibility for some matters.

Fees and payment

• The website does not publish specific fee amounts or detailed billing structures.
• Fees, costs, and any payment arrangements are discussed directly with clients based on the nature and complexity of the appeal.
• The firm does not guarantee specific outcomes or results in exchange for any fee.

This document summarizes key information from Brownstone Law's frequently asked questions about federal courts in New York and appeals to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.

Federal district courts in New York

New York has four federal district courts that serve different regions of the state:

• Southern District of New York (SDNY) – Based in Manhattan and handling cases in New York County, Bronx County, and surrounding areas.
• Eastern District of New York (EDNY) – Covers Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, and Long Island.
• Northern District of New York (NDNY) – Covers northern counties, including Albany, Syracuse, and Buffalo.
• Western District of New York (WDNY) – Serves the western part of the state, including Rochester and Niagara Falls.

These district courts are trial courts where federal criminal and civil cases are first heard and decided.

Appealing from a New York federal district court

• An appeal from a New York federal district court is typically taken to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.
• A notice of appeal must be filed within a short, strictly enforced deadline after the final judgment or order.
• Once the notice of appeal is filed, the case record, transcripts, and relevant documents are prepared for the appellate court.

The Second Circuit Court of Appeals

• The Second Circuit reviews decisions from federal district courts in New York, Connecticut, and Vermont.
• The court focuses on whether legal errors were made in the district court; it does not re-try the facts of the case.
• Common standards of review include de novo review for legal questions, clear error review for factual determinations, and abuse of discretion review for certain rulings.

General appeal process to the Second Circuit

• File a notice of appeal within the applicable deadline.
• Prepare the record on appeal.
• The appellant submits a written brief explaining the alleged errors.
• The opposing party files a response brief.
• In some cases, the court holds oral argument.
• The Second Circuit issues a written decision, which may affirm, reverse, or remand the case.

Possible outcomes on appeal

The Second Circuit can:

• Affirm the district court's decision so the judgment stands.
• Reverse the decision, which may result in dismissal, a new trial, resentencing, or other relief.
• Remand the case to the district court for further proceedings consistent with the appellate court's instructions.

Sentencing appeals and rehearing

• Defendants may appeal federal criminal sentences if they believe the sentence was improper, excessive, or legally flawed.
• If an appeal is unsuccessful, it may be possible to request rehearing or rehearing en banc, although such requests are granted only in limited circumstances.

Self-representation and Certificates of Appealability

• It is possible to represent yourself in an appeal, but the appellate process is complex, and the FAQs emphasize the value of experienced appellate counsel.
• In many civil and criminal appeals, no certificate of appealability is required; however, certain habeas corpus and post-conviction matters may require a certificate before an appeal can proceed.

• Appeals from federal criminal convictions and sentences imposed by New York federal district courts
• Appeals in cases involving racketeering, drug offenses, white collar and securities fraud, and other serious federal crimes
• Review of trial records to identify potential legal or procedural errors

Working with trial counsel

Brownstone Law often serves as appellate co-counsel with a client's trial lawyer so that all issues are properly preserved and presented on appeal.

Post-conviction and habeas corpus work

• Handling appeals related to New York federal habeas corpus motions and other post-conviction relief
• Evaluating whether there are grounds to challenge a conviction or sentence based on constitutional issues, evidentiary problems, or ineffective assistance of counsel

Importance of acting quickly

Federal criminal appeals are governed by strict and short filing deadlines. Clients who wish to appeal a federal conviction or sentence should contact Brownstone Law as soon as possible after judgment so their appellate rights can be evaluated and preserved.

Ask anyway — the agent will say plainly that it is not published rather than guess.