Appellate Practice | MNB LLP
At MNB, we know that trial is only part of the battle. Protecting or overturning a judgment on appeal requires a distinct set of skills: clear legal analysis, precise writing, and persuasive oral advocacy. We are often brought in after trial to salvage or secure results on appeal.
Our appellate practice is led by Sam Haren, an experienced trial and appellate lawyer who has briefed and argued cases in state and federal courts across the country. Sam combines deep trial experience with a sharp appellate focus, allowing him to identify errors, preserve issues, and frame cases for maximum advantage on appeal.
What We Handle
We handle:
Civil and commercial appeals in state and federal courts.
Interlocutory appeals and writs of mandamus.
Appeals arising from intellectual property, business, and real estate disputes.
Amicus briefing and appellate strategy support for trial counsel.
An Experienced and Highly Qualified Team
Our appellate team also includes Andrew K. Meade and John Barr. Andrew is a former law clerk to the Honorable Judge Henry Politz of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Andrew has handled appeals in front of multiple state and federal courts, including the Supreme Court of Texas and the Supreme Court of the United States of America. Over the last three decades, John has briefed and argued many cases in both state and federal courts, including the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, The Supreme Court of the State of Pennsylvania and Texas State appellate courts.
At MNB, our results speak for themselves as we have achieved enforcement and/or reversal of over $100,000,000 in judgments/verdicts in the past ten years, including the following examples:
MNB obtained a default judgment for our client following service by mail on a Canadian resident through the Hague Convention. MNB handled the appeal to the Supreme Court of the United States of American, which unanimously affirmed. Water Splash, Inc. v. Menon, 581 U.S. 271 (2017).
Our client lost an arbitration and had an award of over $94 million entered against him in a breach of fiduciary duty case. MNB took over the appeal and obtained a reversal and rendition of take-nothing judgment in the Fifth Circuit. Sullivan v. Feldman, 132 F.4th 315 (5th Cir. 2025).
Our client won take-nothing summary judgment in the trial court in an $820 million commercial fraud case. MNB took over the appeal where, after the intermediate court of appeals reversed, the Texas Supreme Court affirmed the trial court’s take-nothing judgment. Transcor Astra Grp. v. Petrobras Am., 650 S.W.3d 462 (Tex. 2022).
Our client was involved in a management dispute between partners. When the other side moved to compel arbitration, MNB won both a denial of the motion in the trial court and an affirmance on appeal. GRGP, Inc. v. Black Forest Holdings, No. 01-23-00314-cv, 2023 WL 8459522 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] Dec. 7, 2023, no pet.).
Our oil company client was sued in Texas for an accident that allegedly occurred in New Mexico. After the trial court denied a motion to dismiss for lack of personal jurisdiction, MNB took over the appeal and won reversal and rendition of dismissal. Devon Energy Corp. v. Cormier, No. 01-22-00921-cv, 2024 WL 4775785 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] Nov. 14, 2024, no pet.).
Our Approach
Our team often partners with trial counsel—either from our firm or other firms—to ensure issues are preserved at trial and positioned effectively for appeal. Whether pursuing reversal or defending a hard-fought judgment, we bring the clarity and rigor appellate courts demand.
Contact our appellate team today to discuss how our appellate team can help you protect your favorable judgment or reverse an unfavorable one.