Appellate Practice

Once a court or administrative agency renders a decision on a case, the parties often have the right to appeal the decision to a higher court. The appeals process presents unique challenges and hurdles which require specialized skills and knowledge to properly address. Udall, Shumway and Lyons has an experienced Appellate Practice Group that has drafted appellate briefs for and argued appeals before the Arizona Court of Appeals and Supreme Court as well as federal Circuit Courts of Appeals. If you are considering an appeal, please contact a member of our Appellate Practice Group, listed below, for a consultation.

Roger C. Decker

Steven H. Everts

Bradley D. Gardner

Jill K. Osborne

David R. Schwartz

Some of the reported opinions resulting from appeals handled by the Appellate Practice Group at Udall, Shumway & Lyons include:

Miller-Wohl Company, Inc. v. Commissioner of Labor and Industry

214 Mont. 238, 692 P.2d 1243 (App. 1984)

Employer terminated employee’s employment because her pregnancy diminished her effectiveness as a sales clerk. The employee filed a complaint with the State Commissioner of Labor and Industry claiming that the employer had violated the Montana Maternity Leave Act. The Commissioner found that the employer had violated the Act, and the employer petitioned for judicial review. The District Court, Eight Judicial District, Cascade County, Joel G. Roth, J., held that the Act was discriminatory in that it favored nondisabled nonpregnant employees and disabled male employees, and that it was preempted by federal legislation. The Commissioner and the employee appealed. The Supreme Court, Sheehy, J., held that: (1) the employer clearly violated the Montana Maternity Leave Act; (2) the employer had standing to raise the validity of the Act; and (3) Montana Maternity Leave Act is not preempted by either Title VII or the Pregnancy Discrimination Act; the Act is consistent with the federal acts, and federal acts permit state action in the same field. District Court reversed; Commission’s order reinstated; remanded to District Court.

Darner Motor Sales, Inc. v. Universal Underwriters Ins. Co.

140 Ariz. 383, 682 P.2d 388 (1984)

In this landmark opinion, the Arizona Supreme Court introduced the doctrine of reasonable expectations which now governs the interpretation of insurance contracts in Arizona. The court held that standardized insurance policy provisions will not be enforced if they are contrary to the insurer’s reasonable expectations.

Faber v. Althoff

168 Ariz. 213, 812 P.2d 1031 (App. 1990)

The Arizona Court of Appeals granted a creditor a reversal of the lower court’s ruling in favor of the debtor and held that the creditor was not precluded from proceeding in a separate action to recover a deficiency from individual partners who were not named or served in a prior foreclosure action.

C&J Travel, Inc. v. Shumway

161 Ariz. 33, 775 P.2d 1097 (App. 1989)

A lower court ruling regarding a creditor’s right to execute a judgment against the community property of a married couple was upheld by the Arizona Court of Appeals. The court held that the creditor could not reach the couple’s community property to satisfy an out of state judgment because the wife was not a party to the out of state lawsuit and a new lawsuit could not be instigated in Arizona adding the wife as a defendant because the matter had already been adjudicated in the other state.

Correa v. Curbey

124 Ariz. 480, 605 P.2d 458 (App. 1979)

Court of Appeals decision regarding property damage of adjacent landowners to blasting operation.

Angle v. Marco Builders, Inc.

128 Ariz. 396, 626 P.2d 126 (1981)

Arizona Supreme Court decision interpreting a real estate purchase contract.

James v. Cox

130 Ariz. 152, 634 P.2d 964 (App. 1981)

Court of Appeals opinion regarding personal injury trial.

Kay S. v. Mark S.

213 Ariz 373; 142 P.3d 249 (Ariz. App. 2006)

Preferred Risk v. Tank

146 Ariz. 33; 703 P.2d 580 (Ariz. App. 1985)

Pruitt v. Pavelin

141 Ariz. 195, 685 P.2d 1347 (Ariz. App. 1984)

Rocky Mtn. Fire and Cas. Co. v. Biddulph Oldsmobile

131 Ariz. 289, 640 P.2d 851 (Ariz. 1982)

Sneed v. Belt

130 Ariz. 229, 635 P.2d 517 (Ariz. App. 1981)

Lowman V. City of Mesa

125 Ariz. 590, 611 P.2d 943 (Ariz. App. 1980)

In re Marriage of Foster

125 Ariz. 590, 611 P.2d 943 (Ariz. App. 1980)

Custom Roofing Co. Inc. v. Transamerica Inc. Co.

120 Ariz. 196, 584 P.2d 1187 (Ariz. App. 1978)

Guthrie v. City of Scottsdale

153 Fed. Appx. 987 (9th Cir., 2005)

Arthur Children’s Trust v. Keim

994 F.2d 1390 (9th Cir., 1993)