Lauren assists attorneys with complex civil and business appeals, criminal appeals, and post-conviction petitions in both state and federal courts. Her services include record review, appellate brief drafting, legal research, issue-spotting, and strategic consultation. In addition to appellate work, Lauren also prepares dispositive motions and responses—including motions for summary judgment, motions to dismiss, and corresponding oppositions. She additionally has experience drafting arbitration briefs in complex commercial matters.

When hiring appellate counsel, attorneys should focus on finding someone with proven experience in appellate practice, strong legal writing and research skills, and sound judgment in identifying and framing issues on appeal. It’s important to work with someone who understands the appellate process, communicates clearly and promptly, and can collaborate effectively with trial counsel. A strong appellate lawyer should also understand trial dynamics and offer insight into issue preservation and record review. Cost transparency and ethical compliance are essential, especially when working with freelance or contract counsel. Lauren offers all of these strengths, delivering high-quality, court-ready work to support trial attorneys in civil and criminal matters.

Turnaround time varies depending on the scope and complexity of the case, but Lauren is known for her efficiency and reliability. She leverages her appellate experience and trusted legal tech tools to streamline the process, delivering work ahead of both court deadlines and the hiring attorney’s internal timelines. The timeline depends on factors such as the type of filing (e.g., opening brief, answering brief, reply, or petition), her familiarity with the case, the number and novelty of issues involved, the volume of the record, and any client-specific requests.

Yes. Lauren responsibly incorporates vetted, legal-specific AI tools to improve efficiency and maintain the highest quality in her work—without compromising ethics, accuracy, or confidentiality. All AI-assisted research and content is independently verified. Her use of AI is fully aligned with the ABA Model Rules and Formal Opinion 512:

Rule 1.1 (Competence): She understands the capabilities and limitations of each tool and carefully reviews all output for legal accuracy.

Rule 1.6 (Confidentiality): Lauren does not input sensitive information into AI platforms and uses only tools that do not store or train on user data.

Rule 1.4 (Communication): Lauren informs hiring attorneys of the tools she utilizes. If AI meaningfully impacts a project, she consults with the hiring attorney.

Rule 1.5 (Fees): She charges reasonably for time spent using and reviewing AI output, but not for learning the tools.

Lauren uses only legal-industry-grade AI tools, including: Westlaw Precision, CoCounsel, Midpage AI, vLex, ClearBrief, and Adobe Acrobat AI. 

Lauren offers flexible and transparent fee structures designed with attorneys in mind. By hiring her as a contract appellate attorney, firms benefit from high-level legal support without the overhead or commitment of a full-time hire. There are no strings attached—you can engage her for a discrete task or a full appeal, depending on your needs. Lauren consults with each hiring attorney to understand the nature of the case, including the scope of the record, number and complexity of issues, and any specific client goals. After this consultation, she provides a rough estimate of the expected time and cost. She accepts engagements on both an hourly and flat-fee basis.

In jurisdictions where she is not licensed, Lauren provides behind-the-scenes appellate support—research, brief drafting, and strategy consulting—under the supervision of the hiring attorney, who is licensed in the relevant jurisdiction. She does not sign pleadings, appear in court, advise clients, or contact opposing counsel. This model complies with the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct, including:

Rule 1.1 (Competence): Lawyers may delegate work if they are competent to supervise and ensure quality.

Rule 1.5 (Fees): Attorneys may charge clients for contract lawyer services at a reasonable market rate (see ABA Formal Opinion 00-420).

Rule 5.3 (Supervision): This applies to lawyers working in a supporting role across jurisdictions. Supervising attorneys must ensure that outsourced work—whether done by a nonlawyer or a lawyer not barred in the jurisdiction—is compatible with professional obligations.

Rule 5.5 (Unauthorized Practice): This rule does not prohibit a licensed attorney from another jurisdiction from providing support under supervision, so long as the delegating lawyer retains full responsibility. (See Comment to Model Rule 5.5.)

Lauren is a licensed attorney who operates strictly in a non-appearing capacity when supporting lawyers outside her licensed jurisdictions. Her role is structured to comply with the ethical requirements of each state while helping attorneys access specialized appellate support efficiently and responsibly.

Even experienced trial attorneys benefit from bringing in appellate counsel. Appeals require a different mindset, skill set, and approach—focused on the written record, legal error, and persuasive briefing. An appellate lawyer offers a fresh perspective and a deep understanding of how appellate judges analyze cases. They can more objectively evaluate the trial record, spot viable issues, and craft focused, strategic arguments tailored to appellate review standards. Hiring appellate counsel also allows trial lawyers to continue managing their caseload while ensuring their clients receive specialized attention at the appellate stage. Lauren regularly supports attorneys in this role—partnering with them to protect their record, strengthen their arguments, and increase the likelihood of success on appeal.