Source: https://www.jdsalaw.com/h-lee-lewis
Timestamp: 2019-04-21 15:02:19+00:00

Document:
Trial attorneys and appellate attorneys are, at their core, highly-skilled persuaders. But a great trial lawyer and an effective appellate advocate rarely exist in the same body. The reason is simple: the rhetorical tools used at trial to persuade a fact-finder are far different from those necessary to persuade a panel of appellate judges.
While good trial lawyers are adept at ferreting out information through discovery, examining witnesses and making spontaneous tactical decisions in court, an appellate lawyer must be especially talented in persuasive writing. On appeal, the focus shifts from developing facts to mastering the record, researching legal principles, understanding subtle distinctions and emerging legal trends, exploring creative analogies, and guiding policy considerations that shape the law, and then assembling everything in a concise, persuasively written brief. Too many trial lawyers fail to make this adjustment. Indeed, too many trial lawyers do not even realize that an adjustment is required—to the detriment of their clients.
Trial lawyers have busy schedules: court appearances, depositions, discovery, client meetings, travel. The day-to-day life of a trial lawyer leaves little time for the thoughtful reflection, exhaustive research, and precise, persuasive writing that effective appellate representation requires. I focus my practice on what I do best: briefing and arguing to the Washington and Ninth Circuit appellate courts. If you are a Washington trial attorney facing an appeal, I can help.
For more information regarding the appellate process and the appellate services offered at JDSA, please click here.
Gen. Constr. Co. v. Pub. Util. Dist. No. 2 of Grant Cty., 195 Wn. App. 698, 380 P.3d 636 (2016) —Reversed trial court’s order denying summary judgment dismissal of a portion of plaintiff’s $20M construction claim. The Court also reaffirmed the Supreme Court’s ruling in Mike M. Johnson v. County of Spokane that a contractor’s failure to follow contractual notice and claim provisions bars the contractor’s right to purse a claim.
Mikolajczak v. Mann, 1 Wn. App. 2d 493, 406 P.3d 670 (2017) — Reversed trial court’s order denying summary judgment dismissal of plaintiff’s statutory disability discrimination claims. In an issue of first impression, persuaded the Court that employees of sole proprietorships could not be combined with employees of artificial entities to meet WLAD’s eight-or-more employee threshold.
Heideman v. Chelan Cty., No. 33093-1-III, 2016 Wash. App. LEXIS 1040 (Ct. App. May 10, 2016) (unpublished) — Successfully defended summary judgment dismissal of claims of negligent investigation brought against client Chelan County Sheriff’s Office.
Bess v. Ocwen Loan Servicing, LLC, 727 Fed. Appx. 918 (9th Cir. 2018) (unpublished) — Obtained reversal of the District Court’s Rule 12(b)(6) dismissal of class action brought against a residential lender whom the class alleges entered into their homes, changed, their locks, and removed personal property in contravention of Washington law.
Garcia v. City of Spokane, et al., 745 Fed. Appx. 730 (9th Cir. 2018) (unpublished) — Obtained affirmation of jury verdict dismissal of Plaintiff’s Constitutional wrongful search claims against Corrections Sergeant client.
Lodwig v. Lodwig, No. 358321 (Wn. Ct. App. Div. III) (Filed July 16, 2018)—Seeking affirmation of trial court’s disbursement of community property assets in a dissolution trial.
Little Butte Property Owners Water Association v. Ken Bradley, et al., No. 18-35728 (9th Cir.) (Filed August 29, 2018)—Seeking affirmation of District Court’s summary judgment in favor of a water association for a permanent injunction and monetary damages as well as dismissal of property owner’s claims for trespass and civil rights violations.
Koenig v. City of Quincy, No. 363953 (Wn. Ct. App. Div. III) (Filed October 19, 2018) – Seeking reversal of summary judgment dismissal of an employee’s claim of failure to accommodate her disability under Washington’s Law Against Discrimination (WLAD).

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