Your Dedicated Appeals Advocate

We have been representing our clients since 1989 with appeals and writ petitions throughout the State of California. Our office focuses exclusively on appeal after a state superior court case and employs our years of appellate experience to achieve the best result in the Court of Appeal.

  • SuperLawyers 02
  • SuperLawyers
  • AV Preeminent Martindale Hubble
  • California Certified Specialist

Southern California Appellate Attorneys

With Offices Located in Tustin

Since 1989, John L. Dodd & Associates, Prof. Corp. has been handling appeals throughout the State of California. Our firm has worked on behalf of both appellants and respondents, as well as writ petitions. Mr. Dodd has been certified by the State Bar of California as a Certified Appellate Specialist since 1996. He has handled over one thousand appellate matters in his 30+ years of practice.

Mr. Dodd has argued hundreds of appellate cases before the California Court of Appeal and the California Supreme Court. We also have expertise in preparing Petitions for Review for the California Supreme Court on behalf of individuals and businesses.

Based in Orange County, our appellate attorneys in Tustin can assisting clients with cases from jurisdictions throughout Southern California. We also have experience handling appeals for clients in the counties of Ventura, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside, and San Diego.

John L. Dodd & Associates, Prof. Corp. has filed appellate briefs in every district of the California Court of Appeal. He has worked on cases throughout the state and the California Supreme Court. Our lawyers have also filed appellate briefs in the Ninth Circuit and the United States Supreme Court.

Learn more about what we can do for you during a free case consultation. Call our law office at (714) 880-8744 or fill out our online contact form to request yours today!

Over 30 Years of Knowledge by Your Side

Meet Our Attorneys
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Why Do You Need a Certified Appellate Specialist?

There are few certified specialists in California, and even fewer still that only handle appeals. Our unique specialization in this niche area of the law is the key to a successful case in appellate court.

Successful Client Cases

  • 2001 Adoption of Alexander M. (2001) 94 Cal.App.4th 403

    I represented the adopting parents’ opposing an appeal by a birth father and in pursuing their own petition for writ of mandate. The Court of Appeal granted our writ petition, commanding the superior court to hold a hearing on the adopting parent’s petition to terminate the birth father’s parental rights under Family Code section 7664, subdivision (b).

  • 2001 Adoption of Baby Boy D. (2001) 93 Cal.App.4th 1

    Representing adopting parents, we secured a reversal of a trial court’s ruling that a child had to be returned to the birth mother and a ruling that the relinquishment signed by the birth mother had been valid and binding.

  • 1999 Adoption of Baby Girl B. (2001) 74 Cal.App.4th 43

    The Court of Appeal reversed an order denying a proposed adopting parent an evidentiary hearing on her adoption petition.

  • 1999 Adoption of Baby Girl B. (2001) 74 Cal.App.4th 43

    The Court of Appeal reversed an order denying a proposed adopting parent an evidentiary hearing on her adoption petition.

  • 2011 Adoption of Baby Girl C., Guardianship of Baby Girl C., G043887, G043548, G044022

    In this widely publicized “Baby Vanessa” case, we successfully obtained a stay in the Court of Appeal, preventing the transfer of the child from California to the social services agency in Ohio. After extensive briefing in the Court of Appeal, the parties settled the matter in Ohio with an order awarding custody of the child to our client, the prospective adoptive mother.

  • 2003 Adoption of Christopher C., G031723 (unpublished)

    The Court of Appeal agreed with our arguments, representing an adoption agency, and reversed the trial court’s ruling that the birth parent had not been adequately advised prior to executing a relinquishment.

  • 2001 Adoption of Daniele G.(2001) 87 Cal.App.4th 1392

    An order denying guardianship was reversed because the trial court did not apply the correct "detriment" and "best interest" standard, set forth in Family Code section 3041.

  • 2012 Adoption of F.K., E054024 (unpublished)

    The Court of Appeal agreed with our arguments made on behalf of appealing prospective adoptive parents and reversed a trial court order denying a petition to terminate the parental rights of a biological father, thereby permitting the adoption to proceed.

  • 2008 Adoption of Hayden P., G040413 (unpublished) and Adoption of Tyler O., G040056 (unpublished)

    In these unrelated matters, I represented respondents in securing an affirmance of orders terminating parental rights in order to facilitate a step-parent adoption.

  • 2008 Adoption of Joshua S. (2008) 42 Cal.4th 945

    I successfully represented the appellant, first in the Court of Appeal and then California Supreme Court in reversing a substantial award of attorney fees granted by the trial court under the “private attorney general doctrine” of California Code of Civil Procedure section 1021.5.

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How We Can Assist Our Clients

John L. Dodd & Associates, Prof. Corp.’s appellate attorneys in Tustin are capable of handling a wide variety of appeals for our clients. We have the knowledge and experience necessary to assist with any civil appeal, whether personal or business related.

We also focus on handling appeals in family legal issues, including parental rights and adoptions. Our team of appeals lawyers additionally have experience in juvenile matters.

Our appellate lawyers handle appeals in criminal cases. Whether you were the plaintiff or defendant at trial, we can provide the legal support you need. We can help you if you believe there were legal errors that affected the outcome of your case.

More than 1,200 Appellate Matters in Over 30 Years

While every attorney needs to get started somewhere, you probably do not want your case to be someone else’s proving grounds. At John L. Dodd & Associates, our appellate lawyers in Tustin have over 30 years of experience, assisting over 1,200 clients like you.

With so many years in appellate work comes the skills and knowledge that we apply to every aspect of your legal goals. If you require legal support from tested attorneys, turn to our appellate attorneys in Tustin for help.

  • Best appellate attorney in California.

    “Quick to respond, his research is the best and his writing is concise and very persuasive. You will not go wrong with John on your side.”

    - Janie B.
  • Maximum chance of success on appeal.

    “John excels at presenting complex legal arguments to the Court of Appeal in a manner that gives my clients the maximum chance of success on appeal.”

    - Michael. F.
  • The result was a home run: a published reversal!

    “I recently turned to John when I believed the trial court had made an erroneous ruling on a complicated procedural and jurisdictional question.”

    - Kayleene W.
  • Very helpful, available & thoroughly professional.

    “When everything was seemingly hopeless, we were fortunate enough to come across John L. Dodd.”

    - Former Client
  • Truly appreciate his legal services!

    “I was lucky to find John Dodd to be my appellate lawyer.”

    - Gloria H.
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Our Advantage

  • Certified Appellate Specialist

    We are Certified Appellate Specialists certified in the state of California.

  • Over 30 Years of Experience!

    We have been practicing since 1989 and have handled over 1200 appellate matters.

  • Niche Specialization in Appeals

    We are one of the few certified firms solely focused on handling appeals.

  • Comprehensive Representation

    Representing both clients who have lost and want to appeal or a client who has won and is now being challenged.

Schedule a Complimentary Case Consultation

Appealing a case is more than just disagreeing with its outcome. In most situations, you must prove there was some legal error that affected its outcome. With that in mind, you may not be sure if you have a strong reason to file an appeal. That’s why our appeals law firm offers a complimentary initial consultation followed by a case evaluation at a reduced hourly rate.

When you reach out, we’ll set aside time to consider the potential of your case to successfully pursue an appeal. We will do the legal research needed to craft a plan of success for you. Success can mean altering damages you’ve been ordered to pay, obligations to perform a contract, child custody, and more. Success can even include getting a new trial.

It can all begin when you reach out to our Tustin appeals attorneys. Fill outan online contact form to tell us you’re interested in learning more about your legal options.

17621 Irvine Blvd.,
Suite 200
Tustin, CA 92780
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Contact Us 714-880-8744

Begin the Appellate Process Today With Our Guidance

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