APPELLATE PRACTICE GROUP

Overview
Cummins & White, LLP has an outstanding track record in handling appellate matters at all judicial levels, from state appellate courts to the California Supreme Court, as well as the United States Court of Appeal in various circuits throughout the United States. From the firm’s inception, our Appellate Practice Group has played a dynamic and influential role in the establishment of new law, both federal and state, particularly in the areas of insurance, business, real estate and personal services.

The Practice
Cummins & White routinely handles appeals and writs in matters in which we were involved at the trial court level, and we also take on new matters which were handled by other law firms. We represent appellants, respondents, real parties in interest, and amici curiae. Our lawyers get results because they have the experience and ability to understand and balance the intricacies of legal issues with appellate court procedures in light of the "big picture" presented by the actual case.

We want clients to have a clear, realistic sense of the likely outcome of their appeal. Our approach is pragmatic, and begins with our legal team reviewing the evidentiary record and existing law, and then presenting the client with a cogent analysis of the probable results. Particular care is given in analyzing the benefits of proceeding against the risks of a negative result, both in terms of cost and the potential business impact of a published appellate decision. Because our lawyers are among the top in their respective fields and are always tuned in to new and imminent legal decisions in their practice areas, we are very rarely mistaken in our estimation of the outcome of any given appeal.

Established Law
Cummins & White has represented clients in connection with a number of important California Supreme Court decisions, including Bertero v. National General Corporation (1974) 13 Cal. 3d 43; Schwartz v. McGraw-Edison Company (1971) 14 Cal. App. 3d 767; Bank of the West v. Superior Court (1992) 2 Cal. 4th 1254; and Gruenberg v. Aetna Insurance Company (1973) 9 Cal. 3d 566. Marsh & McLennan, Inc. v. Superior Court (1989) 49 Cal. 3d 1.

Cummins & White has handled countless appeals in appellate courts, including such groundbreaking published decisions as those in Chateau Chamberay Homeowners Assoc. v. Associated International Ins. Co. (2001) 90 Cal. App. 4th 335; APSB Bancorp v. Thornton Grant (1994) 26 Cal. App. 4th 926; Henry v. Associated Indemnity Co. (1990) 217 Cal. App. 3d 1405; Ford v. Hites (1975) 47 Cal. App. 3d 828; Scott v. Continental Insurance Company (1996) 44 Cal. App. 4th 24; Stone v. The Regents of the University of California (1999) 77 Cal. App. 4th 736; Strickland v. Federal Insurance Company (1988) 200 Cal. App. 3d 792; Wollersheim v. Church of Scientology of California (1993) 6 Cal. Rptr. 2d 532.

A Final Word
Cummins & White provides professional, timely and exceptional legal service in every appellate matter we handle. We are mindful of the costs associated with the appellate process, and carefully review and analyze a matter before counseling a client as to the appropriate strategy, particularly in light of the potential business and legal ramifications of an appeal. Clients are apprised before significant expenditure of time or money of the likely outcome and the potential business and legal ramifications of the appeal. Once the decision is made to proceed, clients are in the best possible hands to achieve their legal objectives.