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.

Resolving an issue of first impression in the Eleventh Circuit, the Court dismissed an appeal of a decision by the Board of Immigration Appeals ("BIA") denying a motion for a sua sponte reopening of an immigration proceeding. The Court held that it did not have jurisdiction to hear the appeal.

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.

The Supreme Court vacated a $79.5 million punitive damages award against Phillip Morris USA in a tobacco case in which the plaintiff had received actual damages of $821,000. The case was remanded to the Oregon Supreme Court, which that had upheld the punitive damages award, with directions to apply the new Due Process standards announced by the Supreme Court of the United States.