The court has rendered judgment. Whether the result followed a jury verdict or a bench decision, the period that follows is important. Before deciding whether to appeal, it helps to understand the Connecticut appeal deadline and consider a few deliberate steps to
A Brief Review
A Brief Review, published by Connecticut Appellate Law Firm, focuses on appellate practice and procedure within Connecticut. The blog covers topics such as the automatic appellate stay in family law cases, strategies for preserving issues for appeal through trial briefing, deadlines and timing for filing appeals, and procedural aspects of probate appeals. It also provides guidance on what to expect during the appellate process after trial. The content is aimed at attorneys practicing in Connecticut, offering practical insights into navigating the state's appellate courts and rules.
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Hope v. Willimantic Partners: A Connecticut Premises Liability Appeal
By Megan Wade
The Connecticut Appellate Court’s recent decision in Hope v. Willimantic Partners, LLC addresses several recurring issues in premises liability litigation. The case arose from a serious fall in a commercial parking lot and resulted in a substantial jury verdict for the plaintiffs—one that the Appellate Court…
Navigating the 2026 Updates to Connecticut’s Appellate Rules
By Megan Wade
As we approach 2026, appellate attorneys and litigants in Connecticut should take time to familiarize themselves with the most recent amendments to the Rules of Appellate Procedure, which take effect on January 1, 2026. As with prior years, the amendments reflect a continued effort by the appellate…
Automatic Appellate Stay Applies to Attorney’s-Fee Awards in Connecticut Family Cases
By Megan Wade
The Connecticut Appellate Court’s decision in Villao v. Paz (officially released Sept. 30, 2025) offers rare published guidance on the Connecticut appellate stay in family cases. For family law and divorce attorneys, this opinion clarifies how the automatic appellate stay…
Preserving Issues for Appeal in Connecticut: Trial Briefing Tips for Lawyers
By Megan Wade
Preserving issues for appeal in Connecticut starts long before you file an appeal; it begins with how you litigate in the trial court. Whether you are anticipating a future appeal or defending against one, the way you frame legal arguments…
How Long Do You Have to Appeal in Connecticut?
By Megan Wade
In appellate practice, timing is everything. Miss a deadline, and you may lose the right to appeal altogether. Connecticut’s appellate rules set tight time frames, and even seasoned trial counsel can find them confusing—especially in the hectic period following judgment. …
Appellate Court Affirms Denial of Late Motion to Open After Probate Appeal Dismissed for Lack of Standing
By Megan Wade
Most attorneys advising a client after a probate decree focus on the facts, the equities, or the perceived wrongdoing that occurred in the estate. But Moore v. Ferguson is a reminder that even serious allegations may never be reviewed if…
Connecticut Appellate Process: What to Expect After Trial
By Megan Wade
For many individuals, the appellate process begins at one of the most difficult points in litigation: after trial. Whether you are considering an appeal because you lost at trial or responding to one filed by the other side, it is…
4 Exceptions to Issue Preservation in Connecticut Appeals
By Megan Wade
Appellate courts in Connecticut generally will not review a claim unless “it was distinctly raised at the trial or arose subsequent to the trial.” This longstanding rule—codified in Connecticut Practice Book § 60-5—encourages litigants to raise concerns during trial to…
Issue Preservation for Connecticut Trial Attorneys: Core 4 Checklist & Best Practices
By Megan Wade
Unpreserved issues often are unreviewable on appeal. If an issue is not distinctly raised at trial and ruled on by the trial court, an Appellate Court will not review it—absent limited exceptions. This is why issue preservation should be a…