Appellate Practice
As chair of the Appellate Practice Section for 2024-25, I am honored to present this annual report, highlighting our section’s achievements and ongoing commitment to excellence in appellate advocacy, legal education, and professional development. The hard work of our members has made it an unforgettable year for the section.
Section Retreat in Rome, Italy: Having journeyed across the pond for our retreat under Past Chair Judge Carrie Ann Wozniak in 2022, the section was determined to recreate the magic of an international retreat this year. Rome did not disappoint. Fifty-one section members, including 17 judges, plus their guests, enjoyed an unforgettable time in the Eternal City at the end of February. Highlights included a private tour of the Vatican that allowed attendees time to bask in the splendor of the Sistine Chapel, a visit to the Italian Supreme Court capped off with a discussion with three of the justices, a lecture by Stefano Passeri from the law firm Chiomenti about practicing law in Italy (note to self: avoid asking for hearing continuances there!), and tours of multiple landmarks around Rome with exceptionally knowledgeable and engaging tour guides. Bravissimo!
CLE: Our section continued providing high-quality CLE programs designed to enhance the skills of appellate practitioners across Florida. The section offered two opportunities to gain in-depth insight into Florida’s appellate courts, with Beyond the Bar at the Fifth DCA in October 2024 and Beyond the Bar at the Sixth DCA in April 2025. These full-day live CLEs offered attendees a chance for close interaction with and education from the judges, staff, and experienced practitioners at these courts.
The section offered a host of virtual CLE programming as well. A new two-part webinar, Navigating Your First Appeal, presented soup-to-nuts insight to those undertaking the appellate process for the first time. Those interested in taking their expertise to the next level had the opportunity to attend the Appellate Practice Board Certification Boot Camp webinar in January 2025. Additionally, our monthly webinar series featured timely discussions on emerging issues in appellate practice, procedural updates, and practice tips to navigate the ever-evolving legal landscape.
We look forward to offering many more excellent programs in the next year. Many thanks to CLE Chair Bailey Howard, Vice Chairs Kimberly Berman and Allen Bonner, webinar Co-Chairs Diane DeWolf and Garrett Tozier, and every program chair and participant who made this year such a success.
Pro Bono: Section members continued to answer the call to serve through the Defending Best Interests project with Florida’s Guardian Ad Litem program. In these cases, members volunteer to draft answer briefs in appeals of cases where a judge has determined TPR is in the child’s best interests.
The section also reconnected with directors, coordinators, and program administrators of legal aid organizations throughout Florida. If those organizations need appellate representation, our Pro Bono Committee will seek volunteers to answer the call. These invaluable matches allow our members to provide necessary pro bono service to those most in need and permit these organizations to find a treasure trove of appellate experience.
Thank you to Pro Bono Chairs Samuel Alexander and Jamie Moses for their mighty efforts in ensuring those in need of appellate counsel have the opportunity to find it.
Publications and Communications: Our section continued to be at the forefront of legal scholarship through our contributions to The Florida Bar Journal. These publications provided insightful articles on key appellate issues, practice strategies, and significant rulings affecting appellate practitioners statewide. Additionally, Section members provided regular updates about practice, along with profiles of new and retiring appellate judges in our signature publication, The Record, which is available online. We also continued to work on updating the section’s Pro Se Handbook.
The section is so grateful for the work of Publications Committee Chair Chance Lyman, as well as our editorial staffs headed up by Sarah Roberge (Journal), Jay Yagoda and Eleanor Sills (Record), and Keith Upson (Handbook), in addition to all our authors and contributors.
What’s more, our social media and digital outreach efforts continued to inform and engage our members with the latest developments in the appellate world and section activities. Thank you to social media Chair Dineen Wasylik and website Chair Dimitri Peteves for their hard work.
Outreach and Programs: Under the leadership of Chair Brandon Breslow, our Outreach Committee offered numerous opportunities to connect with other practitioners and strengthen judicial relations. Our Table of Authorities program is a virtual lunchtime event offering a unique platform for informal discussions with appellate judges, allowing new appellate practitioners to gain valuable perspectives directly from the bench. This program has featured a judge from each of the six DCAs as well as one Supreme Court justice, and we are looking forward to starting a new cycle. So many thanks to each of the judges and moderators who took the time to engage with new appellate practitioners, fostering meaningful dialogue between the appellate bench and bar.
The section also hosted its first annual Board Certification Town Hall, where anyone interested in becoming certified or recertifying in appellate practice could find a plethora of details and insight from board certified attorneys. The town hall was free, virtual, and offered CLE credit.
Virtual happy hours and gatherings gave members plenty of opportunity to connect. Thank you to Brandon and the Outreach Committee for keeping us connected! More opportunities are ahead with the section’s Dessert Reception, scheduled as always to occur on the Thursday night of annual convention, June 27. We are not quite ready to say goodbye to Italy, so programs Chair Lindsey Lawton is busy planning a Venetian Masquerade to cap off our year. You won’t want to miss it!
Fellows: We welcomed 2024-2026 Fellow Stephanie C. Rodriguez into the fold at the 2024 annual convention. Our Fellows Committee headed up by Chairs Nicholas Lynch and Daniel Nordby is, at the writing of this report, commencing the search for our 2025-2027 Fellow. Information about the program and the application can be found online.
Excellence in Appellate Practice: Each year, we recognize outstanding contributions to appellate law through our John R. Hamilton Pro Bono Award and the James C. Adkins Award. These awards celebrate those who exemplify professionalism, skill, and dedication to appellate practice. Our 2024 award winners were Khairiya C. Bryant (Hamilton) and Joel D. Eaton (Adkins). At the time of the writing of this report, we are soliciting nominations for the 2025 awards by emailing our section administrator at ajwalker@floridabar.org. Those awards will be presented at our Chair’s Reception, which will take place Wednesday, June 26, during annual convention.
As we conclude another successful year, our section remains committed to advancing appellate practice in Florida. Looking ahead, we will continue to innovate, expand educational opportunities, and enhance the value we provide for our members. We encourage all appellate practitioners to become involved in our initiatives and contribute to the continued growth of our section.
A round of great thanks is owed to our tremendous officers, Chair-elect Joe Eagleton, Treasurer Elaine Walter, Secretary Mary Walter, and Immediate Past Chair Hon. Kansas Gooden. Last but far from least, so many thanks to our new section administrator, Amy Walker, who hit the ground running when she joined the Bar in October and helped us bring all these amazing ideas to life. We couldn’t have done any of this without her. Thanks as well to program administrators Whitney Bledsoe and Gabrielle Hermesman for assisting in our transition. The section is in wonderful hands for years to come.
Finally, thank you to our dedicated members, sponsors, and judiciary for your support and engagement. Together, we strengthen the appellate community and uphold the highest standards of professionalism and collegiality. Cheers to a great year!
Courtney Brewer, Chair
