The Court of Appeals (COA) is unfamiliar territory for most lawyers and success in this court requires not only thorough preparation, but mastery of oral and written advocacy as well. This boot camp allows lawyers to observe oral arguments in real cases being presented to the court, followed by analysis from judges, and the lawyers who participated in the arguments, discussing preparation, tips and considerations for deciding to seek review in the COA.

AGENDA

FACULTY BIOS

DOCKET OCT. 8, 2025

ATTENDANCE FORM

PROGRAM EVALUATION

 

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COURSE MATERIAL

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JOSEPH PETER MEERSMAN, JR. v. REGIONS MORGAN KEEGAN TRUST ET AL.

Brief of Appellant Peter Meersman | Brief of Appellee Regions Bank | Brief of Appellee Michael Castellarin | Reply to Appellee Regions | Reply to Appellee Castellarin

Appellant/Plaintiff
John Martin Drake

Appellee/Defendant
Alice Edythe Brading Haston
Ann Hogan Murphy
Lauren Paxton Roberts
Lisa K. Helton

 

AMELIA A. LAWRENCE v. JEFFREY R. SMITH

Brief of Appellee

Appellant/Respondent
Allison Leigh Renfro

Appellee/Petitioner
R. Michelle Blaylock-Howser

 

STATE V. STEVE LESLIE SMITH

Appellant/Respondent
Wende J. Rutherford

Appellee/Petitioner
Brad William Hornsby

 

SESSION ONE: JUDICIAL CONSIDERATIONS PANEL

This session will feature judges on the Court of Criminal Appeals, who will give insight into appellate practice before their court.

Leslie Price. Attorney General’s Office (Moderator)
Judge Andy Bennett, Tennessee Court of Appeals
Judge Frank Clement Jr., Tennessee Court of Appeals
Judge Jeffrey Usman, Tennessee Court of Appeals
Judge William McBrayer, Tennessee Court of Appeals

 

SESSION TWO: LAWYER'S PANEL

In this panel, attorneys who routinely practice before the Court of Criminal Appeals will share tips on appellate advocacy.

Donald Capparella, Dodson Parker Behm & Capparella
Ann Murphy, Stites & Harbison
Lisa Helton, Sherrard Roe Voigt & Harbison
R. Michelle Howser, Howser & Associates
Wende Rutherford, Rutherford Law

 

SESSION THREE: SEPARATE APPEALS, CROSS APPEALS & BANANAPPEALS – AVOIDING COSTLY SLIP UPS IN APPELLATE PRACTICE

This presentation discusses best practices for perfecting appeals and preserving issues in the context of appeals involving more than two parties. It will address procedures both in Tennessee state courts and federal courts within the Sixth Circuit. TSC Rule 8 and RPC 1.1 are discussed in context of the Tenn. Rules of Appellate Procedure.

PowerPoint Presentation | Reforming Tennessee's Rules of Appellate Procedure | Quiz

Bob Parsley, Bradley Arant Boult Cummings
Erik Halvorson, Bradley Arant Boult Cummings