Texas and New Mexico Appellate Litigation Attorneys

Serpe Andrews not only provides excellent representation at the trial level, but it also provides outstanding representation on appeal. Our appellate section has a high success rate in prosecuting and defending appeals in the state and federal system. Our attorneys have contributed to several appellate decisions setting forth new law in the State of Texas. We understand that, in order to succeed on appeal, many times the arguments cannot be limited to the current state of the law. Therefore, through the creativity of our appellate lawyers, we often prevail by successfully advocating for modifications, extensions, or changes to existing law. Additionally, our appellate expertise allows us to assist our clients, as well as the clients of other attorneys, in preserving appellate issues throughout pre-trial and trial proceedings.

Serpe Andrews attorneys are well versed in the appellate process in a multitude of jurisdictions and venues. Our attorneys have handled voluminous appeals involving complex procedural and substantive issues of law in various Texas state appellate courts, the Supreme Court of Texas, and multiple U.S. Courts of Appeals. Our appellate expertise is additionally instrumental in working up a case in the trial phase of litigation with an eye towards properly preserving issues for appeal at the trial level and effectively presenting issues of fact and law to trial courts.

Appellate Strategy for Texas and New Mexico Appeals

Appeals in Texas and New Mexico move quickly, and the procedural rules can be exacting. A missed filing deadline, an unpreserved issue, or an incomplete record can sharply limit what an appellate court is permitted to review. Whether you are seeking to overturn an adverse judgment or defend a favorable one, effective appellate advocacy often turns on disciplined attention to detail: preserving error in the trial court, identifying reviewable issues, organizing the record, and complying with every procedural requirement in both state and federal systems.

In Texas, litigants navigate the intermediate courts of appeals and, in appropriate cases, seek review in the Supreme Court of Texas. In New Mexico, appeals proceed through the New Mexico Court of Appeals and potentially the New Mexico Supreme Court. Federal cases may move to the Fifth Circuit or Tenth Circuit, depending on jurisdiction. Each forum applies its own standards of review, briefing rules, and formatting requirements. Public resources—such as the Texas Judicial Branch and New Mexico Courts websites, along with their respective Rules of Appellate Procedure—outline the framework, but transforming those rules into a focused, persuasive appellate presentation requires careful strategy.

Common challenges include preservation concerns about whether an argument was adequately raised below; compressed timelines triggered by entry of judgment; disputes over transcripts, exhibits, or the contents of the clerk’s record; and high-stakes requests for stays or supersedeas while post-judgment proceedings continue. Strategic differences between Texas, New Mexico, and federal courts can also affect how issues must be framed.

Because appellate rulings can define the trajectory of a case long after trial, we emphasize procedural precision, strong issue selection, and clear, disciplined writing designed to help appellate judges reach the merits of your arguments.