CLE
Johanna Schiavoni
Johanna Schiavoni Complex Appellate Litigation Group LLP
Appeal Killers Mistakes Litigators Make at Trial That Weaken Their Case on Appeal
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Premieres June 24, 3:00 PM ET/12:00 PM PT
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Appeal Killers: Mistakes Litigators Make at Trial That Weaken Their Case on Appeal

Are you a trial lawyer, seeking to increase your chances on appeal? It’s important to think ahead about key issues while you’re still in the trial court. Appellate attorney Johanna Schiavoni will discuss procedural traps she frequently sees litigators and trial lawyers fall into, how those mistakes can end up fatally undermining otherwise meritorious appeals, and practice tips to avoid making appeal-killing mistakes.

Topics covered include:
Agenda:
  • Introductory Overview
    • The importance of preparing and preserving a case for appeal while in the trial court

  • Pitfalls in Preserving the Record
    • Frequent record-preservation issues

  • Pre-Trial Errors
    • Certain issues/orders that must be challenged by interlocutory appeal or writ petition
    • Strategic considerations regarding interlocutory or writ review
    • Mistakes with pretrial motions, including motions for summary judgment/adjudication or in limine motions

  • Trial Errors
    • Objections at trial
    • Exhibits/offers of proof
    • Verdict forms
    • Jury instructions and objections

  • Bench Trials, Differences, and Peculiarities

  • Mistakes With Post-Trial Motions
    • Preserving the right to raise certain motions
    • Timing and scope of post-trial motions

  • Closing Thoughts
    • The importance of a timely notice of appeal – comparative deadlines
    • Ways that working with an appellate lawyer can enhance a trial lawyer’s case and preparation at any stage

  • Questions & Answers (As Time Permits)
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Duration of this webinar: 60 minutes
When: Premieres in 40 days | June 24, 2026 12:00 PM PT
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Speaker
Johanna Schiavoni
Johanna Schiavoni Appellate Counsel
Complex Appellate Litigation Group LLP

Johanna Schiavoni is a certified specialist in appellate law, admitted in California, New York, and federal appellate courts around the country. Read More ›

Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Credits

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Alaska CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.00 General

California CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.00 General

Hawaii CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.00 General

Illinois CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.00 General

Missouri CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.20 General

Nevada CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.00 General

New Jersey CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.20 General

North Carolina CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.00 General

Ohio CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.00 General

Pennsylvania CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.00 Substantive Law, Practice, and Procedure

Texas CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.00 General

Vermont CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.00 General

West Virginia CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.20 General


This presentation is approved for one hour of General CLE credit in Alaska, one hour of General CLE credit in California, one hour of General CLE credit in Hawaii, one hour of General CLE credit in Illinois, one hour of General CLE credit in Missouri, one hour of General CLE credit in Nevada, one hour of General CLE credit in North Carolina, one hour of General CLE credit in Ohio, one hour of Substantive Law, Practice, and Procedure CLE credit in Pennsylvania, one hour of General CLE credit in Vermont, and one hour of General CLE credit in West Virginia. This program has been approved by the Board on Continuing Legal Education of the Supreme Court of New Jersey for 1.20 hours of total CLE credit. This course has been approved for Minimum Continuing Legal Education credit by the State Bar of Texas Committee on MCLE in the amount of 1.00 credit hours.

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