St. Augustine's Largest Law Firm
Civil Appeals, Administrative Appeals, and Post-Judgment Advocacy Across Florida
At St. Johns Law Group, our appellate attorneys in St. Augustine represent individuals, businesses, and professionals in a broad range of civil, administrative, and post-judgment appeals. When a case outcome is unfavorable or procedurally flawed, we provide the focused legal analysis and persuasive advocacy required to challenge the result through Florida’s appellate courts.
Our team is experienced in identifying trial court errors, preserving appellate issues, preparing legal briefs, and delivering oral argument before district courts of appeal. Whether you are pursuing an appeal or defending a judgment, we are equipped to handle the technical, time-sensitive demands of appellate practice.
Appellate Experience
As St. Augustine’s largest law firm, our team of over 10 attorneys and mediators includes seasoned appellate lawyers who have successfully argued cases before Florida’s District Courts of Appeal, Circuit Courts, and federal courts.
In 2024 alone, our attorneys handled multiple active appeals for both appellants and appellees.
One of our attorneys has handled more than 50 appellate matters throughout their career.
Attorney Alex Nunchuck has personally filed and argued over 20 appellate cases.
Skilled Legal Brief Writers
Appeals are often won on the strength of legal writing. Our appellate team includes lawyers with academic honors in legal writing and extensive experience drafting:
Initial & Answer Briefs
Reply Briefs
Petitions for Writ of Certiorari & Mandamus
Motions for Attorneys’ Fees
Records on Appeal & Appendices
We take pride in submitting thorough, persuasive, and well-researched briefs that meet the high standards of Florida’s appellate courts.
Appeals We Handle
Civil & Trial Court Appeals
Final Judgment & Interlocutory Appeals
County and Circuit Court Appeals
Discovery Order Appeals
Summary Judgment Appeals
Breach of Contract & Business Disputes
Landlord/Tenant Disputes
Family Law Appeals
Divorce, Custody & Support Judgments
Alimony & Property Division
Timesharing & Parenting Plan Disputes
Administrative & Land Use Appeals
Zoning and Planning Board Decisions (PZA/PZB)
City & County Commission Appeals
Special Use Permits, Variances, and Rezonings
Extraordinary Writs
Petitions for Writ of Certiorari (quasi-judicial & interlocutory review)
Petitions for Writ of Mandamus
Writs of Prohibition & Habeas Corpus (as applicable)
Attorneys’ Fees on Appeal
Our appellate attorneys understand the importance of preserving and pursuing attorneys’ fees. We have successfully recovered fees at both the trial and appellate levels, ensuring clients are fully compensated when permitted by contract or statute.
Representative Appellate Cases
Civil Litigation
Mishpaja Shajine, Inc. v. Granada Ins. Co., 319 So. 3d 762 (Fla. 3d DCA 2021)
→ Reversed trial court’s summary judgment; allowed amendment of answer.Patel v. Sparrow, 325 So. 3d 865 (Fla. 5th DCA 2021)
→ Defended breach of contract judgment; recovered attorneys’ fees at trial and on appeal.
Landlord/Tenant Law
Poky Mgmt., LLC v. Solution Investment Group, LLC, Case No. 5D2023-0169 (Fla. 5th DCA 2024)
→ Secured legal fees for landlord after trial court denial.
Discovery Appeals
Dimattia v. Fairways Condo. at Palm Coast, Flagler County Circuit Court (2021)
→ Successfully compelled discovery on behalf of a condominium association.
Employment & Theft
Holder v. Ausit St. Augustine, LLC, 300 So. 3d 664 (Fla. 5th DCA 2020)
→ Defended treble damage award in employee theft case.
HOA & Condo Association
Walters v. Ocean Gate Phase I Condo, 925 So. 2d 440 (Fla. 5th DCA 2006)
→ Defended judgment against challenge by former unit owner.
Probate
Heyman v. Heyman, Case No. 5D2022-1133 (Fla. 5th DCA 2024)
→ Preserved estate assets in a contested probate dispute.
Family Law
Powers v. Powers, 323 So. 3d 738 (Fla. 5th DCA 2021)
→ Upheld final judgment awarding alimony, child support, and fees.Cooper v. Cooper, 318 So. 3d 1291 (Fla. 5th DCA 2021)
→ Affirmed deviation from standard timesharing guidelines based on best interests of the child.
Federal Court Matters
St. Augustine v. Boomerang, LLC, 2020 WL 3790588 (M.D. Fla. 2020)
→ Prevented removal to federal court, preserving local jurisdiction.Clarke v. Henslin, 2020 WL 1049171 (M.D. Fla. 2020)
→ Successfully resolved FLSA claim through negotiation.Ward Edwards, Inc. v. Devlin Grp., Inc., 2019 WL 5962674 (M.D. Fla. 2019)
→ Defeated motion to implead non-party in supplementary proceedings.
Bid Awards & Procurement
Sebastian Inland Harbor Dev., LLC v. City of St. Augustine, 905 So. 2d 899 (Fla. 5th DCA 2005)
→ Defended city’s competitive RFP process in harbor development project.
Zoning & Land Use Appeals
We have represented dozens of clients in land use and zoning appeals, including:
Rezonings
Special Use Permits
Variances
Comprehensive Plan Challenges
Development Orders
Need to appeal a decision from the Planning and Zoning Board or City Commission? We handle administrative appeals to circuit court and judicial reviews of quasi-judicial actions.
Fun Fact: Attorneys Douglas Burnett and James Whitehouse were once on opposite sides of a notable zoning appeal—Harry Waldron v. St. Johns County—before joining forces at our firm.
Why Choose St. Johns Law Group for Appeals?
Appellate law is distinct from trial practice. It requires detailed knowledge of appellate rules, standards of review, and persuasive legal writing. At St. Johns Law Group, our attorneys bring:
Appellate Briefing Experience: We prepare complex appellate briefs that focus on identifying legal error, procedural mistakes, and misapplications of law.
Strategic Review of Trial Records: We carefully analyze the record for preserved error and viable appellate issues.
Trial-Level Insight: Our appellate attorneys frequently collaborate with litigation counsel to anticipate or preserve issues for appeal before final judgment is entered.
Local and Statewide Reach: We handle appeals in the Fifth District Court of Appeal, other Florida district courts, and before administrative agencies across the state.
Our team is well-equipped to evaluate whether an appeal is appropriate and advise clients on timing, costs, and potential outcomes.
When to Consult an Appellate Lawyer
Timing is critical in appeals. In Florida, most notices of appeal must be filed within 30 days of the final judgment. If you believe an error occurred during trial, or if a ruling is being challenged on appeal, early consultation with an appellate attorney is essential to preserve your rights.
We often assist trial counsel with appellate strategy and help clients assess whether a ruling is likely to be reversed, modified, or upheld.
Serving All of Northeast Florida
St. Johns Law Group serves clients across Northeast Florida and Southern Georgia, including:
St. Johns County: St. Augustine, St. Augustine Beach, Anastasia Island, Crescent Beach, Ponte Vedra, Nocatee, Vilano Beach, Julington Creek, Fruit Cove, World Golf Village, Palm Valley, Hastings, Elkton, Silverleaf, Beachwalk.
Flagler County: Palm Coast, Flagler Beach, Bunnell, Marineland.
Duval County: Jacksonville, Jacksonville Beach, Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, San Marco, Mandarin, Southside.
Clay County: Green Cove Springs, Fleming Island, Middleburg, Keystone Heights, Oakleaf Plantation.
Putnam County: Palatka, East Palatka, Interlachen, Crescent City, Welaka.
Southern Georgia (select matters): St. Marys, Kingsland, Woodbine.
Our attorneys are well-versed in the local rules, state rules and court requirements throughout the region and provide effective, location-specific legal counsel in appeals and appellate matters.
📞 Speak With a St. Augustine Appellate Attorney Today
Whether you are appealing an adverse decision or defending a favorable judgment, the attorneys at St. Johns Law Group are ready to guide you through the appellate process. Contact us today for a consultation and trusted legal analysis of your case.
St. Johns Law Group – Trusted Legal Advocates in Trial and Appeal.
Contact Us:
- 104 Sea Grove Main Street | St. Augustine, Florida 32080
