Trial and Appellate Litigation Lawyer in Newark, NJ: Trusted in Federal & State Courts
When a court or agency rules against you in your employment case, it’s hard not to feel like the fight is over. But sometimes, that decision isn’t the final word. Our Newark appellate attorney helps employees fight for justice when the trial court gets it wrong.
If you believe the judge got the law wrong, important evidence was ignored, or the process itself was unfair, you may have the right to appeal. The appeals process is complex, but the team at Zazzali, P.C. doesn’t shy away from challenging legal issues. In appeals, we know how to review trial records, identify legal errors, and craft strong arguments for a higher court.
Whether you’re seeking to overturn an unfair decision, secure compensation, or protect your career, we guide you through every step with determination.
Contact us to discuss your case.
Types of Employment Cases in Newark That May Be Eligible for Appeal
Most employment disputes never make it to the appellate level.
In fact, only a small fraction of cases qualify. Appeals aren’t do-overs. They’re about fixing legal mistakes made by the trial court. As such, these cases require extensive knowledge of employment law and court procedures, as well as an in-depth analysis of all issues that could potentially provide grounds for an appeal.
At Zazzali, P.C., we have represented Newark workers in appeals involving:
- Harassment and hostile work environments: Cases in which the court failed to properly apply harassment standards or overlooked crucial evidence
- Wrongful termination: Decisions that ignored applicable law or misinterpreted contractual protections
- Wage and hour disputes: Incorrect application of overtime pay requirements, minimum wage requirements, or unpaid wage statutes
- Workplace discrimination: Denials or dismissals in cases involving race, gender, age, disability, religion, or other protected categories
- Retaliation: Missteps in cases where an employee was punished for whistleblowing or for asserting their legal rights by filing claims for benefits or protections
- Family and Medical Leave: Improper rulings on FMLA or state leave protections
If you’re considering filing for an appeal, discuss your case with us. The only way to know whether you have the grounds to ask a higher court to revisit your case and correct court errors is to have a Newark appellate attorney review the record and explain your chances.
When Can You Appeal an Employment Case in Newark?
Appeals are hard to win. The law sets a narrow path for what can be challenged. You can’t appeal based solely on a trial leading to an unwanted outcome. You need solid legal grounds to file an appeal.
To be considered, your case must involve a clear legal error or a major oversight that affected the outcome. That means:
- A question of law: The trial court applied the wrong legal standard or misinterpreted the law.
- Mishandling of critical evidence: Important evidence was wrongly excluded, admitted when it shouldn’t have been, or ignored.
Examples of real-life scenarios that may lead to appeals include:
- Improper jury instructions: If the judge gave the jury the wrong legal framework, their decision could be invalid.
- Incorrect evidentiary rulings: If the court unfairly or inappropriately kept out testimony or documents that were central to your case, that error could be grounds for appeal.
If you’re unsure, don’t guess. Talk to a knowledgeable attorney about any avenues that may be available to you.
Fill out our contact form, and our trial and appellate litigation lawyer in Newark, NJ, can review your case file to see if there’s a viable path forward.
How Our Newark Appellate Lawyer Fights for You After a Loss in Lower Court
Appeals move differently compared to trials. You don’t call witnesses or repeat every detail of your story. Instead, an appeal is a highly focused legal battle built on the trial record.
Here’s how we handle the appeals process step by step.
Assessing Your Case and Grounds for Appeal
We start by digging deep into the trial court or agency record. That means reading and thoroughly analyzing every transcript, motion, ruling, and piece of evidence to find potential legal errors.
We look for:
- Misapplied laws
- Improper jury instructions
- Procedural violations that hurt your case
Our Newark appellate attorney will give you an honest opinion about whether the appeal has merit, your chances of success, and the costs involved. If we think it’s a long shot, we’ll tell you so that you can make fully informed decisions.
Filing the Notice of Appeal
Deadlines are strict. Miss one, and your appeal is over before it starts.
We handle the responsibility of managing deadlines, so that’s one less thing you have to worry about. Depending on the circumstances, we will file the required Notice of Appeal within specified timeframes, which include:
- 45 days of a final judgment issued in New Jersey state court
- 30 days for most federal cases in the Third Circuit
We also handle other procedural requirements, including ensuring all filing fees have been properly submitted and responding to transcript requests, to ensure that nothing jeopardizes your case.
Preparing the Appellate Brief
The appellate brief is the heart of your appeal. This written argument to the appellate court explains exactly why the lower court got it wrong and what the law actually says.
We prepare a precise, persuasive brief backed by case law, statutes, and the trial record. Every point is strategically chosen to give you the strongest possible chance of winning.
Making an Oral Argument (If Granted)
If the court allows oral argument, we appear before the panel of appellate judges to explain why the ruling must be reversed or modified.
We’ll push for remedies such as:
- Reversing a dismissal
- Ordering a new trial
- Adjusting damages
If you’re considering an appeal, talk to our trial and appellate litigation lawyer in Newark, NJ, now. The clock is already ticking.
Why Choose Our Newark Appellate Attorney to Defend Your Rights in Appellate Court
We take your fight personally.
We listen not just to the facts but also to what this case has cost you emotionally. We understand the sleepless nights after losing your job, the humiliation of being treated unfairly at work, and the fear of speaking up again.
This is why clients open up to us about details they might never share with another lawyer. And those details can make all the difference.
Every strategy we build starts with your goals. Sometimes that’s a quick resolution for stability. Other times, it’s pushing the case as far as it can go to make things right.
Attorney James R. Zazzali, a founding partner of Zazzali, P.C., created this firm to make sure every person has a fair shot at equal employment opportunities. He’s not just a lawyer. In 2006, he was appointed Chief Justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court by Governor Corzine. He’s written over 100 opinions, chaired the Judicial Labor Relations Task Force, and knows the tactics employers, their attorneys, and insurance companies use.
Our track record includes winning a precedential New Jersey Earned Sick Leave Law decision for more than 100 union workers, with damages exceeding $700,000 plus attorney fees, as well as multiple successes representing individual workers and public-sector and private-sector unions. U.S. News & World Report has named Zazzali, P.C. a “Regional Tier One Best Law Firm” in the labor law (union) category, as well as a "Regional Tier Two Best Law Firm" in the employment law (individuals) category.
If you want an appellate team that combines courtroom skill with a genuine drive to protect workers, we’re ready.
Talk to us about your case. We’ll tell you the truth, lay out your options, and fight for the best possible outcome.
Contact Our Newark Appellate Attorney at Zazzali, P.C. for an Initial Case Review
We know what it’s like to feel like the system failed you. But one unfavorable court decision doesn’t have to be the end of your pursuit of justice when you could potentially have grounds for an appeal.
At Zazzali, P.C., we’re dedicated to identifying all possible paths forward, whether that’s overturning a bad ruling, securing a new trial, or protecting your rights in a higher court. The sooner we review your case, the sooner we can tell you if an appeal is viable.
For help from an appellate attorney in Newark, contact Zazzali, P.C. online or call 973-354-5289 today.