Appellate Practice

Contact: Proloy K. Das, Chair

Contact: David P. Friedman

Effective appellate advocacy demands a union of strategy, efficient research, persuasive writing, and decisive oratory. The appellate advocacy team at Murtha Cullina has an in-depth understanding of procedural, philosophical and policy concerns that shape appellate court decisions.

Our appellate lawyers have litigated numerous appeals in the state and federal appeals courts at all levels in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New York. Many of our lawyers have served as judicial clerks to state and federal appeals judges, bringing to each case appellate perspective and insight.

Whether the client has prevailed below and seeks to protect that victory, has not prevailed and seeks a second look at a difficult issue, or desires to appear in a “friend of the court” capacity to help shape the law governing its industry, Murtha Cullina’s appellate lawyers work with the client and trial counsel to develop the best appellate litigation strategy for presenting the client’s position to an appellate tribunal.

 

Representative Matters

 

Supreme Court of the United States

In re Marrama (Marrama v. Citizens Bank of Mass.), 549 US 365 (2007)

Fort Halifax Packing v. Coyne, 482 U.S. 1 (1987)*

 

United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit

In re Traverse (DeGiacomo v. Traverse), 753 F.3d 19 (1st Cir. 2014)

In re Gentile (Gentile v. DeGiacomo), No. 13-9007 (1st Cir. 2013)

Thornton v. United Parcel Service, 597 F.3d 27 (1st Cir. 2009)

Warren v. United Parcel Service, 518 F.3d 93 (1st Cir. 2008)

Charter Comms Ent. I, DST v. Burdulis, 460 F.3d 168 (1st Cir. 2007)

In re Marrama (Marrama v. Citizens Bank of Mass.), 430 F.3d 474 (1st Cir. 2006)

Martins v. E.I. DuPont de Nemours & Co., No. 04-2018 (1st Cir. 2005)

Malinowski v. DVD Systems, No. 02-1849 (1st Cir. 2003)

Arruda v. Sears Roebuck & Co., 310 F.3d 13 (1st Cir. 2002)

Petricca Dev. Ltd. P’ship v. Pioneer Dev. Co., 214 F.3d 216 (1st Cir. 2000)

Koster v. TransWorld Airlines, Inc., 181 F.3d 24 (1st Cir.), cert. denied, 528 U.S. 1021 (1999)

New England Surfaces v. E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Co., 546 F.3d 1 (1st Cir. 2008)

 

United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit

ING Global, Inc. v. United Parcel Service Oasis Supply Corporation, 757 F.3d 92 (2nd Cir. 2014)

Smartix Int’l Corp. v. MasterCard, 355 Fed. Appx. 464 (2nd Cir. 2009)

Wall v. Union of NA, Laborers Int’l, No. 06-2810 (2d. Cir.) (2008)

Streit v. Amdocs, Inc., No. 07-3760 (2d Cir.) (2008)

Goodspeed Airport, LLC v. East Haddam Land Trust, Inc., 166 Fed. Appx. 506 (2d Cir. 2006)

New England Health Care Employees Union v. NLRB, 448 F.3d 189 (2d Cir. 2006)

New England Health Care Employees Union v. NLRB, 448 F.3d 189 (2d Cir. 2006)

Martin v. DuPont Flooring Systems, Inc., 125 Fed. Appx. 369 (2d Cir. 2005)

Soderberg v. Gunther International, 124 Fed. Appx. 30 (2d Cir. 2005)

 

United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit

In re W.R. Grace & Co., 591 F.3d 164 (3d Cir. 2009), cert. denied, 562 U.S. 839 (2010)

 

United States Bankruptcy Appellate Panel

In re A & E 128 North Corp. (A & E 128 Corp. v DeGiacomo), 528 B.R. 190 (B.A.P. 1st Cir. 2015)

In re Traverse (DeGiacomo v. Traverse), 485 B.R. 815 (B.A.P. 1st Cir. 2013)

In re Marmarinos (Marmarinos v. DeGiacomo), 464 B.R. 498 (B.A.P. 1st Cir. 2012)

In re Inofin (Raymond C. Green, Inc. v. DeGiacomo), 466 B.R. 170 (B.A.P. 1st Cir. 2012)

 

Connecticut Supreme Court

Nutmeg Housing Development Corporation v. Town of Colchester, 324 Conn. 1 (2016) (amicus)

Standard Oil of Connecticut, Inc. v. Administrator, Unemployment Comp. Act, 320 Conn. 611 (2016)

Harrington v. Freedom of Information Commission, 323 Conn. 1 (2016)

Bifolck v. Phillip Morris, Inc., 324 Conn. 402 (2016) (amicus)

Tomick v. United Parcel Service, 324 Conn. 470 (2016)

Dinan v. Patten, 317 Conn. 185 (2015) (amicus)

Tine v. Town of Lebanon, 308 Conn. 300 (2013)

Anatra v. Madison Zoning Board, 307 Conn. 728 (2013)

Ugrin v. Cheshire, 307 Conn. 364 (2012)

State v. Lombardo Brothers, 307 Conn. 412 (2012) (amicus)

Levine v. Town of Sterling, 300 Conn. 521 (2011)

19 Perry Street v. Unionville Water Company, 294 C 611 (2010)

Ziotas v. Reardon Law Firm, 296 Conn. 579 (2010)

Wellsood Columbia v. Town of Hebron, 295 Conn. 802 (2010)

Conn. Podiatric Medicine Ass’n v. Health Net of Connecticut, Inc., 302 Conn. 464 (2011)

Wilton Meadows v. Coratolo, 299 Conn. 819 (2011) (amicus brief)

Wellswood Columbia, LLC v. Town of Hebron, 295 Conn. 802 (2010)

Moon v. Zoning Bd. of Appeals, 291 Conn. 16 (2009)

Newman v. Planning & Zoning Comm’n, 293 Conn. 209 (2009)

Intercity Development, LLC v. Andrade, 286 Conn. 177 (2008)

Lord Family of Windsor, LLC v. Inland Wetlands & Watercourses Comm’n, 288 Conn. 669 (2008)

Cambodian Buddhist Society of Connecticut, Inc. v. Town of Newtown Planning & Zoning Commission, 285 Conn. 381 (2008)

A-Right Plumbing, Sewer & Water Main Co., LLC v. Aquarion Operating Services Co., 282 Conn. 612 (2007)

Minnesota Methane v. DPUC, 283 Conn. 700 (2007)

ATC Partnership v. Coats North America Consolidated, Inc., 284 Conn. 537 (2007)

Sheridan v. Town of Killingly, 278 Conn. 252 (2006)

R.T. Vanderbilt v. Continental Cas. Co., 273 Conn. 448 (2005)

Ventres v. Mellon, 275 Conn. 105 (2005)

Rocque v. Mellon, 275 Conn. 161 (2005)

Albahary v. City of Bristol, 276 Conn. 426 (2005)

Carr v. Bridgewater Planning & Zoning Comm’n, 273 Conn. 573 (2005)

Cantonbury Heights Condominium Ass’s v. Local Land Development, LLC, 273 Conn. 724 (2005)

Albahary v. City of Bristol, 276 Conn. 426 (2005)

Carr v. Bridgewater Planning & Zoning Comm’n, 273 Conn. 573 (2005)

 

Connecticut Appellate Court

Kobyluck Brothers v. Town of Waterford Planning and Zoning Commission, 167 Conn. App. 383 (2016)

R.T. Vanderbilt Co. v. Hartford Accident & Idemnity Co., 171 Conn. App. 61 (2017)

Parillo Food Group v. New Haven Zoning Board of Appeals, 169 Conn. App. 598 (2016)

Webster Bank, N.A. v. GFI Groton, LLC, 157 Conn. App. 409 (2015)

Tomick v. United Parcel Service, 157 Conn. App. 312 (2015)

Customers Bank v. CB Associates, 156 Conn. App. 678 (2015)

Verrilo v. Town of Branford, 155 Conn. App. 657 (2015)

JMS Newberry v. Kaman Aerospace Corp., 149 Conn. App. 630 (2014)

Customers Bank v. Boxer, 148 Conn. App. 479 (2014)

The National Groups, LLC v. Nardi, 145 Conn. App. 189 (2013)

USA Bank v. Schulz, 143 Conn. App. 412 (2013)

Jacobson v. Town of Washington, 137 Conn. App. 142 (2012)

Parnoff v. Mooney, 132 Conn. App. 512 (2011)

Town of Pomfret v. FOIC, 130 Conn. App. 448 (2011)

Abbott Terrace Health Ctr., Inc. v. Parawich, 120 Conn. App. 78 (2010)

Greenfield v. Westport, 122 Conn. App. 465 (2010)

107 Longshore Lane v. Madison, 124 Conn. App. 50 (2010)

Jackson, Inc. v. Planning & Zoning Comm’n, 118 Conn. App. 202 (2010)

Amica Mutual Insurance Company v. Welch Enterprises, Inc., 114 Conn. App. 290 (2009)

Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians v. Lorinsky, 116 Conn. App. 144 (2009)

Blinkoff v. O&G Industries, 113 Conn. App. 1 (2009)

O&G Industries, Inc. v. All Phase, 112 Conn. App. 511 (2009)

Weiner. v. Clinton, 106 Conn. App. 379 (2008)

Lord Family of Windsor v. Town of Windsor, 103 Conn. App. 354 (2007)

Garlasco v. Bridgewater, 101 Conn. App. 451 (2007)

Abington v. Town of Avon, 101 Conn. App. 709 (2007)

Kelib v. CHFA, 100 Conn. App. 351 (2007)

Nipmuc Properties v. PDC-El Paso Meriden, 103 Conn. App. 90 (2007)

Remax Right Choice v. Aryeh, 100 Conn. App. 373 (2007)

Kosnik v. Barton, 93 Conn. App. 244 (2006)

Ramondetta v. Amenta, 97 Conn. App. 151 (2006)

Jewish Home for the Elderly v. Cantore, 96 Conn. App. 326 (2006)

Jones v. HNS Management, 92 Conn. App. 223 (2005)

Byrd v. Bechtal Fusco, 90 Conn. App. 641 (2005)

Billy & Leo, LLC v. Michaelidis, 87 Conn. App. 710 (2005)

Blinkoff v. O&G Industries, 89 Conn. App. 251 (2005)

Olympus Healthcare Group, Inc. v. Muller, 88 Conn. App. 296 (2005)

 

Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court

DeGiacomo v. City of Quincy, 476 Mass. 38 (2016)

MSADA et al. v. Tesla Motors, Inc. et al., 469 Mass. 675 (2014)

Commonwealth v. Mosher, 455 Mass. 811 (2010)

DSCI Corp. v. Department of Telecommunications & Energy, 449 Mass. 597 (2007)

Muse v. UPS, 2008 Mass. App. Lexis 24 (Jan. 8, 2008)

 

Massachusetts Appellate Court

Kilnapp Enterprises v. Massachusetts State Automobile Dealers Association, 89 Mass. App. Ct. 212 (2016)

Christopher Malone v. Webster Bank, 87 Mass. App. Ct. 1136 (2015)

Acme Abatement Contr. v. S&R Corporation, 88 Mass. App. Ct. 1102 (2015)

Bolduc v. United Parcel Service, 82 Mass. App. Ct. 1108 (2012)

Commonwealth v. Pizarro, 68 Mass. App. Ct. 1108 (2007)

Gibbs Oil Company Limited Partnership v. City Council of Woburn, 70 Mass. App. Ct. 1115 (2007)

Cavicchi v. United Parcel Service, 71 Mass. App. Ct. 1107, 2008 Mass. App. Unpub. LEXIS 1005 (2008)

Martin-Kirkland v. United Parcel Service, 71 Mass. App. Ct. 1123 (2008)

Frostar Corp. v. Malloy, 63 Mass. App. Ct. 96 (2005), cert. denied, 494 Mass. 1102 (2005)

 

New York Court of Appeals and Supreme Court, Appellate Division

Freidman v. New York City Taxi & Limousine Commission, 31 N.Y.S.3d 44 (N.Y. App. Div. 2016)

The People of the State of NewYork v. Anton Green, 68 N.Y.2d 151 (1986)
The People of the State of New York v. Jorge Pons, 68 N.Y.2d 264 (1986)
The People of the State of New York v. Anton Green, 118 A.D.2d 1050 (1986)
The People of the State of New York v. James Sanders, 108 A.D.2d 316 (1985)
The People of the State of New York v. James Sanders, 66 N.Y.2d 906 (1985)
The People of the State of New York v. Howard Worley, 66 N.Y.2d 523 (1985)

 

Disclaimer: Each case has its own specific facts and legal issues. We cannot guarantee success in every individual matter.

• Susan J. Baronoff
• Daniel C. Cohn
• Michael P. Connolly
• George A. Dagon, Jr.
• Proloy K. Das
• Michael J. Donnelly
• Marilyn B. Fagelson
• Melissa A. Federico
• David P. Friedman
• Taruna Garg
• Sarah Gruber
• Rachel Snow Kindseth
• Lorey Rives Leddy
• Kari L. Olson
• James F. Radke
• Thomas S. Vangel
• Kristen L. Zaehringer

• June 12, 2018 - Murtha Cullina LLP Wins Second Consecutive Litigation Department of the Year Award From Connecticut Law Tribune
• March 13, 2018 - Municipal Client Prevails Before Connecticut Supreme Court Against Metropolitan District Commission
• March 6, 2018 - Appellate Group News: 2017 Year In Review
• October 3, 2017 - Appellate Practice Group Recognized as Litigation Department of the Year by Connecticut Law Tribune
• August 22, 2017 - AppellateInsights.com: Connecticut Supreme Court Upholds Duty of Schools to Warn or Protect Against Insect-borne Diseases in Travel Abroad Programs
• April 21, 2017 - Appellate Practice News: Connecticut Supreme Court Considers Schools' Duty Of Care To Students Participating In Travel Abroad Programs
• April 10, 2017 - Appellate Practice News: The $100 Million Question is Answered With Extrinsic Evidence, Not Contra Proferentem
• April 3, 2017 - AppellateInsights.com: The $100 Million Question is Answered With Extrinsic Evidence, Not Contra Proferentem
• April 6, 2017 - Andrew Wailgum quoted in Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly on a "No-Damages-For-Delay" Clause Construction Contract Case
• April 4, 2017 - Appellate Group News: 2016 Year In Review
• March 30, 2017 - Murtha Cullina Files Amicus Brief on Behalf of Connecticut Conference of Municipalities
• January 31, 2017 - Murtha Cullina LLP Wins Zoning Appeal for City of New Haven
• October 19, 2016 - Proloy K. Das Quoted in CT News Junkie Article on Anthony Maio v. City of New Haven
• October 19, 2016 - Proloy K. Das Quoted in New Haven Register Article on New Haven Police Officer Appeals Case
• October 13, 2016 - Murtha Cullina LLP Launches Appellate Blog
• August 30, 2016 - Appellate Practice Group Prevails Before Connecticut Supreme Court In Dispute Over Test for Attorney-Client Privilege
• August 30, 2016 - Michael C. Harrington quoted in Hartford Courant article “High Court: Trash Agency Improperly Withheld Ritter Emails.”
• August 2, 2016 - Appellate Practice Group Prevails Before Connecticut Appellate Court on Behalf of Construction Company Denied The Right To Conduct a Permitted Use
• April 2016 - Automotive Law Group News: Appellate Court Win for Massachusetts State Auto Dealers Association
• April 11, 2016 - Murtha Cullina LLP Partner Elizabeth J. Stewart Receives “Professional Excellence” Award From Connecticut Law Tribune
• March 26, 2016 - Michael C. Harrington Interviewed for Hartford Courant Article on Supreme Court Freedom of Information Case
• March 17, 2016 - Thomas S. Vangel and James F. Radke Successfully Represent Automobile Dealers Association in Massachusetts Appeals Court
• March 11, 2016 - Michael C. Harrington and Jennifer A. Corvo Successfully Advocate on Behalf of CBIA in CT Supreme Court Unemployment Case
• December 2015 - Proloy K. Das mentioned by the National Conference of State Legislatures on Successful Supreme Court Appeal
• November 18, 2015 - Proloy K. Das Mentioned in Associated Press Article on Connecticut Displaced Workers Case
• November 18, 2015 - Proloy K. Das Quoted in Connecticut Law Tribune Article on Supreme Court Displaced Workers Case
• October 8, 2015 - Proloy K. Das Quoted by Associated Press About the CT Supreme Court Death Penalty Decision
• September 23, 2015 - Proloy K. Das Featured in CT Law Tribune Article About Joining Our Appellate Practice Group
• April 17, 2015 - Proloy K. Das in CT Law Tribune Article on Casino Worker's Discrimination Claim
• December 26, 2014 - Proloy K. Das in Hartford Courant Article on Rocky Hill Nursing Home
• December 26, 2014 - Proloy K. Das in Rocky Hill Patch Article on Supreme Court Nursing Home Ruling
• October 23, 2014 - Proloy K. Das Quoted in Hartford Courant Article on Legality of Using Funds for Campaigns
• October 17, 2014 - Proloy K. Das in Courthouse News Article on Election Mailer Issue
• September 24, 2014 - Proloy K. Das Quoted in Rocky Hill Patch Article on Nursing Home Case
• September 23, 2014 - Proloy K. Das Quoted in Hartford Courant Article on Rocky Hill Nursing Home Case

• October 19, 2016 - Televised Arguments in Anthony Maio v. City of New Haven Featuring Proloy Das as Attorney for City of New Haven
• January 10, 2016 - Proloy Das Discusses CT Supreme Court and Death Penalty on Face the State
• October 24, 2014 - Proloy K. Das Featured in CT-N's Capitol Report on the GOP Campaign Finance Lawsuit
• October 23, 2014 - Televised Arguments in GOP Campaign Finance Lawsuit Featuring Proloy K. Das as Attorney for Republican Party
• September 23, 2014 - Televised Arguments in Rocky Hill v. SecureCare Featuring Proloy K. Das as Attorney for the Town of Rocky Hill
• October 22, 2013 - Televised Arguments in Meyers V. Livingston, Adler, Pulda, Meiklejohn & Kelly P.C. Featuring Proloy K. Das
• Spetember 12, 2012 - Televised Arguments in Republican Party v. Merrill Featuring Proloy K. Das as Attorney for the Republican Party
• September 10, 2012 - Proloy K. Das Featured in CT-N's Capitol Report on the Republican Party v. Merrill
• April 16, 2012 - Proloy K. Das Interviewed For Fox 61's "Real Story" On U.S. Supreme Court Arguments in Affordable Care Act Appeals