We limit our practice to appellate litigation, which consists of both handling appeals once they are filed and providing trial support on issues likely to be dispositive on appeal. We assist on cases in nearly every substantive area of the law that can end up in state or federal court in Florida.
Most of our appellate practice is in civil cases of all sorts, ranging from high-end commercial litigation to the most serious personal injury cases (we only represent plaintiffs in these cases to avoid issue conflicts) to high-profile civil rights and constitutional litigation. We also handle probate, family law, administrative, and—usually by court appointment—significant criminal cases.
Appeals require a different skill set than trial work—and that is where we excel. The Mills Firm focuses exclusively on appellate litigation, representing clients in high-stakes cases of all kinds before state and federal courts, including the Florida Supreme Court and the U.S. Supreme Court.
We are known for:
Strategic, surgical advocacy – We identify the issues that matter most and frame them for maximum impact.
Exceptional writing and oral argument – We are recognized by peers, judges, and legal publications as among the best in the field.
Professional credibility with the courts – Our integrity, issue selection, and preparation carry weight with judges at every level.
We persuasively employ supremacy-of-text principles in our legal writing combined with a respectful understanding of modern Florida jurisprudence when we advise a client of appellate risks, identify viable issues, or develop arguments in a brief.
Our specialties in brief writing are:
We are also skilled oral advocates with the rare ability to combine zealous advocacy with respectful conversation to assist the appellate court understand your case in its best light. We know how to spot and leverage a friendly question, handle the hypotheticals without getting derailed, and keep our composure (and credibility with the rest of the court) when respectfully addressing the hostile judge posing questions with no right answers.
Our experience, judgment, and reputation can often help an appeal settle. In addition to communicating strength to the opposing side, we provide our clients with a frank assessment of their chances. Our clients know we are all in, but they will also understand the weaknesses of their cases and the practical realities that drive appellate results.
Great appellate outcomes start long before a judgment is entered, often before the case is even filed. That is why we have extended our appellate practice to assist trial teams with issues likely to become dispositive on appeal. Applying many of the same approaches we are known for in the appellate courts, we assist trial teams by analyzing legal strategies, crafting motion papers, and appearing before trial judges across the state.
When we get involved early, everyone in the courtroom knows our client is geared up to prevail all the way to the highest courts. Our clients know what weaknesses must be overcome. Trial judges know we are ready to defend (or challenge) their rulings. And the other side often becomes more open to a favorable settlement when they see the path ahead that we present.
Whether behind the scenes or appearing in court, we approach trial support with the same precision and strategic focus that defines our appellate work.
Going far beyond helping cases settle, we partner with trial teams on:
