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Appellate Advocacy

At Smith Sovik, our appellate attorneys are known for crafting cogent and innovative arguments on behalf of our clients. We’ve advocated in a variety of fields, including Labor Law and construction, trucking and motor vehicle cases, medical and professional malpractice, products liability, municipal issues and more.

Because appellate attorneys must persuade panels of judges, successful appellate advocacy requires a unique set of skills. Our attorneys are able to analyze and condense cases into a concise written brief, which can possibly decide an issue even before oral argument.  But they also recognize that powerful oratory can be a case’s deciding factor.

In 1974, now-retired member of the firm Lawrence F. Sovik was instrumental in the successful creation of the “seat belt defense” before the New York State Court of Appeals. Since then the firm’s appellate advocacy group has flourished, and our attorneys have won appeals in each of the Appellate Divisions in New York State, the New York State Court of Appeals, the New York Federal District Courts and the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.

We have an internal nationwide approved panel list for all MARKEL claims groups and I'm glad to say that because of my recommendation, you and your firm have made the cut.  I sincerely hope we get the chance to work together again.  It has been a pleasure personally and professionally.

Cheryl Weissman, J.D.
MARKEL