Former Judges Eagles and Exum offer expert insights
RALEIGH – Smith Moore LLP attorneys Sidney Eagles and Jim Exum recently participated in the North Carolina Bar Association's Continuing Legal Education seminar, "Mastering Appellate Practice in North Carolina." The program offered expert analysis and opinion on the successful litigation of cases in North Carolina's appellate courts.
The program examined a multitude of appellate court topics, including winning litigation strategies, court rulings and provisions of the North Carolina Rules of Appellate Procedure. In addition, judges currently serving on North Carolina's appellate courts offered appellate law "do's and don'ts."
According to Exum, a retired Chief Justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court who practices out of Smith Moore's Greensboro office, the seminar shed some light on recent decisions handed out by the appellate court, while also delving into the appellate process as a whole. "Appellate practice is a veritable minefield for the inexperienced appellate advocate," explained Exum. "Even the experienced appellate litigators are troubled by appellate decisions that dismiss appeals on the basis of what appear to be inconsequential, non-prejudicial appellate procedural rule violations by appellate counsel."
Eagles, a former Chief Judge of the North Carolina Court of Appeals, is a member of Smith Moore's litigation practice in Raleigh and he offered his keys to writing a persuasive appellate brief. "After 21 years as an appellate judge and more than ten years as an appellate advocate, I was glad to offer my perspective on effective brief writing," Eagles remarked. "At these CLE programs, I always learn a lot from the experience of others." Exum, meanwhile, delivered a presentation on the keys to succeeding at oral argument. "I enjoyed my small role in providing some tips on making better oral arguments," Exum offered. "My presentation was based on ideas I acquired while a member of the North Carolina Supreme Court and while handling appeals for clients since retiring from the Court in 1994."
Contact: Donnie Turlington
For Smith Moore LLP
336-275-7000
dturlington@bouvierkelly.com