Brooklyn Appeals Attorney

If you have received an unfavorable decision from a trial court in Brooklyn, you may have the right to ask a higher court to review it. The Law Offices of Albert Goodwin, PLLC, handles appeals arising from Brooklyn (Kings County) trial courts, and we work with clients throughout the borough who believe a judge or jury got the result wrong. An appeal is not a second trial — it is a focused legal argument that the trial court made a mistake of law or that its decision cannot be supported by the record. Knowing where your appeal goes, and how little time you have to start it, is the first step.

Where Brooklyn Appeals Are Heard

Brooklyn is part of Kings County, which sits within the Second Judicial Department. That means most appeals from Brooklyn trial courts are decided by the Appellate Division, Second Department — not the First Department, which covers Manhattan and the Bronx. Getting the correct appellate forum right at the outset matters, because filing in the wrong court can cost you time you do not have.

Decisions Appealed to the Second Department

Decisions from the following Brooklyn trial courts are generally appealed to the Appellate Division, Second Department:

• The Supreme Court, Kings County — the trial court of general jurisdiction for civil matters in Brooklyn;
• The Kings County Surrogate's Court, which handles probate, estate administration, and trust disputes; and
• The Kings County Family Court, which decides custody, visitation, support, guardianship, and related proceedings.

The Second Department sits in Brooklyn Heights at 45 Monroe Place. Appeals there are decided by panels of justices who review the written briefs and the record from the trial court, hear any oral argument, and issue a written decision.

Lower-Court Matters and the Appellate Term

Not every Brooklyn case goes straight to the Appellate Division. Appeals from the New York City Civil Court and the New York City Criminal Court in Brooklyn are generally routed first to the Appellate Term of the Second Department, an intermediate court that reviews appeals from these lower courts. Identifying whether your appeal belongs in the Appellate Division or the Appellate Term is an important early decision, and it is one we can help you sort out quickly.

Federal Cases in Brooklyn

Brooklyn is also home to a federal trial court. Federal cases arising in Brooklyn are decided in the Eastern District of New York (EDNY), whose courthouse stands at 225 Cadman Plaza East. Appeals from the EDNY are heard by the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. Federal appeals follow their own rules and deadlines, which differ from the state-court system, so it is important to know at the outset whether your case is in state or federal court.

The Kinds of Appeals We Handle

We represent clients in the civil and family-related appeals that most often arise out of Brooklyn’s trial courts, including:

• Civil appeals from money judgments, dismissals, summary-judgment rulings, and other orders of the Supreme Court, Kings County;
• Surrogate’s Court appeals involving contested wills, accountings, fiduciary disputes, and estate and trust matters; and
• Family Court appeals concerning custody, visitation, child and spousal support, guardianship, and neglect proceedings.

We approach every appeal honestly. Most appeals end in affirmance, and reversal rates are generally low, so we give a candid assessment of your prospects before you commit to the process. Where there is a genuine error of law or a decision that the record cannot support, a well-prepared appeal can make a real difference. To understand how an appeal unfolds from start to finish, you may find it helpful to review our overview of the appeals process in New York.

The 30-Day Deadline Is Strict

The single most important thing to know about a Brooklyn appeal is that the clock starts running immediately. In a civil case, the notice of appeal generally must be filed within 30 days after you are served with a copy of the judgment or order together with written notice of its entry. This deadline is jurisdictional, which means the court has no power to extend it for good cause once it passes. Missing it can permanently end your right to appeal, no matter how strong your arguments might have been. Because the window is so short, you should speak with an appellate attorney as soon as you receive an adverse decision rather than waiting.

A Direct-Attorney Approach, Convenient to Brooklyn

When you work with our firm, you work directly with Albert Goodwin, Esq., not a rotating cast of associates or staff. Our office is in Midtown Manhattan, a short trip across the river from Brooklyn and easily reached by subway, which makes it convenient for Brooklyn clients while keeping us close to the courts and clerks’ offices throughout New York City. Appellate work rewards careful, focused attention to the record and the law, and a direct-attorney relationship means the lawyer who reads your record is the lawyer who writes your brief and argues your appeal.

Contact a Brooklyn Appeals Attorney

If you are considering an appeal from a Brooklyn trial court, or you have already received an adverse decision in Kings County, we would be glad to discuss it with you. Appellate deadlines are strict and unforgiving, so please reach out promptly. Call the Law Offices of Albert Goodwin, PLLC, at 212-233-1233 or email [email protected], or visit our contact page to get started.