A trial court judgment isn’t always the final word. Whether you are seeking to overturn a ruling or need to defend a hard-won victory, the appellate process in Nevada is a specialized field requiring a smart strategy and a deep understanding of the Nevada Rules of Appellate Procedure (NRAP).
At the Law Offices of Maximilian A. Stovall, we provide comprehensive appellate representation and support for cases in ALL Nevada counties. From the high-volume courts in Clark and Washoe to the rural districts in Elko, Nye, and beyond, we represent clients at both the District Court and Supreme Court levels.
The Clock is Ticking: Nevada Appeal Deadlines
In Nevada, appeals from district court are strictly governed by the Nevada Rules of Appellate Procedure (NRAP). Appeals from justice court follow many of the same principles contained in the NRAP, but are governed instead by the Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) and local court rules. The most important thing to know is that most deadlines are jurisdictional, meaning if you miss them, the court cannot hear your case.
- Notice of Appeal:
In most criminal, civil, and family law cases at the district court level, you must file your Notice of Appeal within 30 days of the written notice of entry of the judgment.
For most criminal judgments at the justice court level, you must file your Notice of Appeal within 10 days of your judgment of conviction.
- Struggling to meet your deadline? Immediate action is required. While some post-trial motions can "toll" (pause) the clock, you should never assume you have extra time without a legal review of your case.
How the Appellate Process Works in Nevada
Nevada uses a "deflective" or "push-down" model for its two highest courts. Every appeal from a District Court starts at the Nevada Supreme Court, but it doesn't always stay there.
- The Notice of Appeal: Filed in the District Court where your case was heard.
- The Docketing Statement: A required filing that helps the Supreme Court decide where your case belongs.
- The "Push-Down" Model: The Supreme Court may keep the case or assign it to the Nevada Court of Appeals for a final decision.
- Briefing: This is where the real work happens. Both sides submit written briefs arguing why the trial judge was right or wrong.
- Oral Argument: In some cases, the Court will ask the parties to present an oral argument to accompany the written briefing.
How to Preserve an Appeal (Before the Trial Ends)
In most instances, you cannot appeal simply because you didn't like the outcome. An appeal is about legal errors. To preserve an issue for appeal, attorneys must protect the record through:
- Timely objecting on the record during the trial stage.
- Filing the necessary pretrial and trial motions.
- Requesting a clear ruling from the judge.
If an issue wasn't raised in the trial court, the appellate court may refuse to consider it. Some issues not preserved at the trial level may be considered on appeal, but only under a lower standard that gives more deference to the trial court’s rulings. If you are currently in litigation and anticipate an appeal, now is the time to ensure your record is protected.
Procedural Hurdles: Transcripts and Briefs
A successful appeal relies entirely on the Record on Appeal. If it isn’t in the transcript, it didn’t happen.
- Requesting Transcripts:
Under NRAP 9, you must file a Transcript Request Form within 14 days of the appeal being docketed.
- Brief Writing: An appellate brief is not a "re-do" of the trial. It is a highly technical document that must cite specific laws and pages of the trial transcript. If something wasn’t included in the record at the trial level, the appellate court will not consider it. This is not the time to bring in new evidence or arguments not before the trial court; you must present the appeal through the lens of what the trial court already considered.
Support for Other Lawyers: We Write the Briefs
Are you a trial attorney with a heavy caseload and a looming appellate deadline?
Writing an effective brief requires hundreds of hours of research and a specific "appellate voice." We offer brief-writing services for other law firms. If you have the file ready to go but lack the bandwidth to draft a 30-page brief that complies with every NRAP requirement, we can step in as of-counsel or on a contract basis to handle the heavy lifting for you.
Meet Our Appellate Attorney: Lucas Glanzmann
Our appellate department is anchored by Lucas Glanzmann, who brings a unique insider perspective to every case.
- Judicial Clerkship Experience: After law school, Lucas served a two-year clerkship with the Nevada Supreme Court. In that role, he worked closely with justices to research complex legal questions and draft appellate decisions. His work contributed to both unpublished orders and published opinions, including decisions that meaningfully shaped Nevada law. Today, he focuses his practice primarily on appellate advocacy, bringing that depth of experience directly to our clients’ cases.
- Strategic Insight: Having reviewed briefs from the Court’s perspective, Lucas understands how appellate judges evaluate arguments—what captures attention, what builds credibility, and what weakens a case. He crafts appellate briefs that are precise, focused on the dispositive issues, and written in a style courts appreciate: clear, disciplined, and grounded in the record and governing law.
- Appeals Veteran: From complex civil litigation to criminal guilty verdicts, Lucas has the experience to navigate the District Court, Nevada Supreme Court, and Court of Appeals with precision.
Ready to Move Forward?
If you are facing an appeal, do not wait. Whether you are an individual looking for representation or an attorney seeking brief-writing support, the Law Offices of Maximilian A. Stovall is here to help.
The Stovall Team’s First Step: Send us all documentation. We will conduct a thorough review of your trial record to determine your best path forward.
If you are an attorney, we will likely require you to file the notice of appeal and request transcripts before we take over the appeal.
Contact Us Today
Call our Reno or Minden offices to discuss your appeal and ensure your rights are protected before the deadline passes.
