The Appellate Practice Committee strives to demystify the appellate process through its programs and the work of its subcommittees. Committee members monitor current developments in case law, proposed amendments to procedural rules, and proposals for legislation. Subcommittees also work on appellate institutes, the National Law Student Appellate Advocacy contest, program planning, and numerous special assignments.

Under Rule 4(a)(5) of the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure the district court may extend the time to file a notice of appeal so long as the party seeks the extension either before the normal time to appeal has expired or no later than 30 days after the normal time to appeal has expired, and, in either case, “shows excusable neglect or good cause.”

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed the district court’s order certifying a class of plaintiffs suing under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (“TCPA”), 47 U.S.C. § 227. Plaintiff alleged that defendants violated the TCPA by sending unsolicited advertisements via fax machine.

With a focus on young lawyers, we introduce two new articles. Making the Most of Your Appellate Clerkship guides you in reducing the learning curve and making the most out of your clerkship, while Writing a Winning Legal Argument offers sound advice and what you should and should not do when crafting arguments.