When all appellants are represented by one attorney, they should file a joint appellants' brief. The same is true for appellees. Joint briefing is permitted in cases consolidated for the first time for appeal. The filing of a separate brief for each of several appellants is rarely the best advocacy if the parties' interests are harmonious. The court is not more likely to be persuaded by multiple briefs arguing for the same result.
Joint briefs are also less costly for the clients, of course.
If the co-parties' interests are adverse to one another, of course, the attorney may not ethically file a joint brief. When the appellee also files a notice of appeal, the appellee becomes the cross- appellant. Technical Requirements of Briefs A. Generally When the Eighth Circuit clerk's office receives the certified copies of the notice of appeal and docket entries from the district court, the clerk will send a form letter to the lead counsel for the appellant, with copies to all other counsel. This letter will indicate the Eighth Circuit case number, outline certain requirements, state the filing schedule, and specify immediate requirements. Carefully read this letter, the enclosed material, and the rules to which it refers.