Appeals & Writs

CPW attorneys represent individuals and businesses in appeals and writs in state and federal courts throughout California. Most of these cases are referred to us by trial counsel or clients who understand that appeals require different skills than trials and recognize the value of hiring attorneys with specific appellate expertise. The firm’s appellate practice is led by Sue Popik, who is certified as an Appellate Law Specialist by the State Bar of California's Board of Legal Specialization.

CPW handles appeals across the entire spectrum of the firm’s civil litigation practice, including insurance coverage and bad faith, civil rights, attorney malpractice, malicious prosecution, libel, employment, judicial misconduct, class actions, unfair competition law, and a variety of business torts. Many of these cases involve issues of first impression, and CPW is proud to have helped shape the law of California in a number of important areas. CPW attorneys are also frequently called upon to assist lawyers from other states in briefing high-stakes and complex appeals. In addition to handling appeals, CPW attorneys regularly work with trial counsel at other firms to formulate and prepare pre- and post-trial motions, jury instructions, and other critical documents to create the strongest possible record on appeal.

Representative Cases

Sheehan v. San Francisco 49'ers, Inc., 45 Cal. 4th 992 (2009)
Strauss v. Horton, California Supreme Court Case No. S168047 (Proposition 8 cases)(review pending)[amicus]
In re Marriage Cases, 43 Cal. 4th 757 (2008) [amicus]
Village Northridge Homeowners Association v. State Farm Fire and Casualty Co., California Supreme Court Case No. 161008 (former opinion at 156 Cal. App. 4th 1417 (2008)) (review pending) [amicus]
Broussard v. State Farm Fire and Casualty Co., 523 F.3d 618 (5th Cir. 2008)
In re Katrina Canal Breaches Litigation, 495 F.3d 191 (5th Cir. 2007)
Tuepker v. State Farm Fire and Casualty Co., 507 F.3d 346 (5th Cir. 2007)
Cold Creek Compost, Inc. v. State Farm Fire and Casualty Co., 156 Cal. App. 4th 1469 (2007)
Collier v. City and County of San Francisco, 151 Cal. App. 4th 1326 (2007)
Combs v. State Farm Fire and Casualty Co., 143 Cal. App. 4th 1338 (2006)
Priebe v. Nelson, 39 Cal. 4th 1112 (2006)
Frye v. Tenderloin Housing Clinic, 38 Cal. 4th 23 (2006)
Carver v. Bonds, 135 Cal. App. 4th 328 (2006)
Julian v. Hartford Underwriters Insurance Co., 35 Cal. 4th 747 (2005) [amicus]
Schnee v. Alameda Unified School District, 125 Cal. App. 4th 555 (2005)
Whelihan v. Espinoza, 110 Cal. App. 4th 1566 (2003)
Uhrich v. State Farm Fire & Casualty Co., 109 Cal. App. 4th 598 (2003)
Planned Parenthood of Columbia/Willamette v. American Coalition of Life Activists, 290 F.3d 1058 (9th Cir. 2002) [amicus]
Golden Gateway Center v. Golden Gateway Tenants Association, 26 Cal. 4th 1013 (2001)
Kraus v. Trinity Management Services, Inc., 23 Cal. 4th 113 (2000)
Anderson v. Reno, 190 F.3d 130 (9th Cir. 1999)
Mez Industries, Inc. v. Pacific National Insurance Co., 76 Cal. App. 4th 856 (1999) [court-invited amicus]

ATTORNEYS
John G. Heller, Philip A. Leider, David Nied, Susan M. Popik, Carol D. Quackenbos, Mark A. White