A Brief Review

A Connecticut Appellate Law Blog

Appeals in Connecticut can be complex—but understanding them does not have to be. A Brief Review is a Connecticut appellate law blog that offers clear, concise insights into Connecticut appeals. Authored by Connecticut appellate attorney Megan Wade, this blog provides updates on recent appellate decisions, practical tips on appellate procedure, and broader discussions about the legal system. Whether you are a trial attorney looking for quick takeaways or someone simply curious about appeals in CT, this blog helps you stay informed, feel more confident navigating the appellate process—and maybe even enjoy the process along the way. 


  • Connecticut Appellate Process: What to Expect After Trial 

    For many individuals, the appellate process begins at one of the most difficult points in litigation: after trial. Whether you are considering an appeal because you lost at trial or responding to one filed by the other side, it is completely normal to feel uncertain about what happens next. The Connecticut appellate process is very […]

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  • 4 Exceptions to Issue Preservation in Connecticut Appeals

    Appellate courts in Connecticut generally will not review a claim unless “it was distinctly raised at the trial or arose subsequent to the trial.” This longstanding rule—codified in Connecticut Practice Book § 60-5—encourages litigants to raise concerns during trial to give the trial judge an opportunity to address them in real time and minimize appeals […]

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  • Issue Preservation for Connecticut Trial Attorneys: Core 4 Checklist & Best Practices 

    Unpreserved issues often are unreviewable on appeal. If an issue is not distinctly raised at trial and ruled on by the trial court, an Appellate Court will not review it—absent limited exceptions. This is why issue preservation should be a component of your trial strategy. In a high-stakes trial, it is easy to focus entirely […]

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  • When to File a Motion to Reargue in Connecticut

    As a Connecticut appellate attorney, I often work with trial attorneys at the post-judgment stage—sometimes on a full appeal, but other times to explore whether an appeal can be avoided. One way to do that in Connecticut is by filing a motion to reargue / motion for reconsideration—formally known as a Practice Book § 11-11 […]

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  • When Can a Court Deviate from Child Support Guidelines? Avoiding Reversal on Appeal 

    When awarding child support, Connecticut courts must follow the child support guidelines, which establish a presumptive amount based on the parents’ incomes. A court may deviate from these guidelines, however, only if it makes three specific findings on the record to justify the deviation. Failure to do so can result in reversal on appeal.   A […]

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  • How Long Does the Appellate Process Take in Connecticut? A Comprehensive Guide for Civil and Family Appeals 

    Since launching Connecticut Appellate Law Firm, one of the most frequently asked questions I have received is: “How long does a Connecticut civil or family appeal take to resolve?”   In legal practice, the answer is often “it depends.”   Under typical circumstances and without any special motions or complexities, the process from filing an appeal to […]

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  • Connecticut Family Law Appeal: Trial Court’s Visitation Order Overturned 

    In Cardona v. Padilla, the Connecticut Appellate Court considered whether the trial court abused its discretion in making its custody and visitation orders, which substantially limited the non-custodial parent’s access to parenting time with the child. In this family appeal, the Appellate Court held that the trial court abused its discretion because the trial court […]

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  • Appealing Factual Findings? Not Without Transcripts

    When an appellant challenges a trial court’s factual findings, attention to procedural rules is crucial. In Park Seymour Associates, LLC v. City of Hartford / Park Squire Associates, LLC v. City of Hartford, the plaintiffs discovered this the hard way. Despite their reliance on testimony to argue that the trial court’s factual findings were clearly […]

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  • Lack of Standing as an Unpreserved Alternative Ground for Affirmance 

    In North Branford Citizens Against Bulk Propane Storage v. Town of North Branford et al., the Connecticut Appellate Court considered a plaintiff-association’s challenge to a zoning regulation amendment that allowed the construction of a bulk propane storage facility in North Branford.   In resolving the appeal, the Appellate Court relied on an unpreserved alternative ground for […]

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  • Understanding Ordinary Negligence and Wrongful Life Claims in Connecticut: A Look at Suprynowicz v. Tohan 

    The Connecticut Supreme Court recently tackled a nuanced legal issue in Suprynowicz v. Tohan: whether allegations involving a reproductive endocrinologist’s misconduct during IVF procedures should be classified as wrongful life claims or ordinary negligence. This decision provides key insights into Connecticut tort law and the fine line between these two claim types, offering guidance to […]

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