Appellate Attorney St. Augustine

Experienced Florida Appellate Lawyers – Civil, Family, and Administrative Appeals

At St. Johns Law Group, St. Augustine’s Largest Law Firm, our appellate attorneys represent clients across Northeast Florida and Southern Georgia in civil, family law, and administrative appeals. Whether you are challenging a trial court decision or defending a favorable outcome, our team combines deep knowledge of Florida appellate law, exceptional legal writing, and persuasive oral advocacy.

• 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.

Appellate litigation is a specialized area of practice that requires attention to procedural deadlines, mastery of appellate rules, and the ability to present compelling legal arguments. Our attorneys bring over 265 years of combined legal experience to each appeal we handle.

Why Choose St. Johns Law Group for Your Appeal?

• Proven Appellate Experience – Our lawyers have argued before Florida’s District Courts of Appeal, federal courts, and local circuit courts.

• Dedicated Legal Writers – Appeals turn on the strength of written briefs. Our team prepares initial, answer, and reply briefs, writ petitions, motions, and records on appeal with precision.

• Track Record of Success – From business disputes to family law appeals, we have successfully overturned unfavorable rulings and defended judgments for individuals, businesses, and community associations.

📌 Related practice areas: Civil & Business Litigation, Family Law & Divorce, Probate Litigation.

Types of Appeals We Handle

Civil Appeals

• Contract disputes, real estate, and property litigation

• Discovery and summary judgment rulings

• Business and corporate disputes

• Landlord/tenant matters

Family Law Appeals

• Divorce and equitable distribution

• Alimony and child support disputes

• Custody and time-sharing plans

Learn more about our St. Augustine Family Law Attorneys.

Administrative & Land Use Appeals

• Zoning board and planning commission decisions

• Special use permits and rezoning denials

• Local government rulings

Explore more on our Land Development & Zoning page.

Extraordinary Writs & Post-Judgment Relief

• Writs of certiorari, mandamus, prohibition, habeas corpus

• Motions for appellate attorneys’ fees

📖 Reference: Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure (Florida Bar).

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.

Notable Appellate Successes

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.

Geographic Areas We Serve

Our appellate practice extends beyond St. Augustine into:

• St. Johns County (Ponte Vedra, Nocatee, St. Augustine Beach, Silverleaf)

• Flagler County (Palm Coast, Flagler Beach, Bunnell)

• Duval County (Jacksonville, Jacksonville Beach)

• Clay County (Green Cove Springs, Fleming Island)

• Putnam & Nassau Counties

• Select Southern Georgia Appeals

Strict Deadlines Apply – Don’t Wait

In most cases, a Notice of Appeal must be filed within 30 days of the final judgment. Missing this deadline can permanently bar your right to appeal.

📞 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.

Call (904) 495-0400 or request a consultation online.