Maximizing Your Chances for Oral Argument

August 2016

Appellate attorneys must be prepared to answer the one question that clients will inevitably ask, “Will we get oral argument?” The short answer is, “Maybe, if you ask nicely.”

In most instances, both parties to an appeal have sig­nificant reasons to seek oral argument. For the appellant, even the most minimally involved client will have lived through a loss in the district court, as well as the ardu­ous process of drafting two complex appellate briefs. The appellant will be eager for the opportunity to have their story persuasively communicated to a distinguished panel of appellate judges. Former Minnesota Supreme Court Jus­tice John Simonett was once asked if the appellant should ever waive oral argument. After reflecting on the ques­tion for a moment, he responded, “It’s a lot like propos­ing marriage—I suppose you could do it just in writing.”

© 2016 DRI. All rights reserved.

The articles on our website include some of the publications and papers authored by our attorneys, both before and after they joined our firm. The content of these articles should not be taken as legal advice. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views or official position of Robins Kaplan LLP.

Disclaimer

Eric J. Magnuson

Partner

Chair, Appellate Practice
Pronouns: he/his

Related Publications

July 19, 2024
"Same as it Ever Was":
Eric Magnuson, Samuel Thumma - The Journal of Appellate Practice and Process
December 7, 2022
Briefly: Electing Justice: How to Judge Judges
Eric Magnuson - Minnesota Lawyer
November 30, 2022
SCOTUS Term in Review
Ryan Marth and Caitlinrose Fisher - Eight Circuit Fall 2022 Newsletter
November 15, 2022
Briefly: Behind the Veil of Judicial Recusal
Eric Magnuson - Minnesota Lawyer
November 1, 2022
Briefly: 'Extraordinary Circumstances' For Relief from Judgment
Eric Magnuson, Brandon Carmack - Minnesota Lawyer
Back to Top