In Washington, a party generally has 30 days from entry of the final judgment or order to file a notice of appeal under RAP 5.2. Some cases have different timelines — certain family law matters, administrative appeals, and criminal cases may follow different rules. The deadline runs from the date the judgment is entered in the court record, not the date you receive notice of it. If you're unsure whether your appeal window is still open, contact an appellate attorney immediately — this is the most time-sensitive issue in any appeal.

Most appeals at Northman Legal are handled on a flat fee, so you know the full cost before committing. Hourly representation is available at $200/hr for matters where a flat fee doesn't fit. Contingency arrangements are available for qualifying civil appeals. The right structure depends on the case, the court, and what you need — reach out and we'll talk through the options. There is a fee to file the notice of appeal, which is usually around $300. There is the cost to prepare the Clerk's Papers which varies on how many pages are designated. There is also the cost to have the hearings transcribed. Together, these fees may be less than $1000, or if you have a "big" case, they can cost several thousand dollars.

Most Washington Court of Appeals cases take 12 to 18 months from the filing of the notice of appeal to the court's opinion. That timeframe covers obtaining the record, full briefing, and oral argument (if scheduled). Washington Supreme Court cases and 9th Circuit appeals can take longer. I'll give you a realistic timeline after reviewing your specific case and court.

Not always. If your trial attorney is experienced with appeals and comfortable with the standard of review that governs your issues, they may be well-positioned to handle it. Where a separate appellate attorney adds the most value: when the issues require deep briefing on legal standards the trial attorney hasn't argued before, when the case is going to the Washington Supreme Court or 9th Circuit, or when a fresh review of the record might surface arguments that weren't visible during trial. Northman Legal can also work as co-counsel with your trial attorney rather than replacing them.

No. Northman Legal regularly serves as brief writer or co-counsel for trial attorneys whose clients are appealing. You can stay on as counsel of record. I handle the appellate brief and, if needed, oral argument. This protects the client relationship you've built and brings appellate experience to the brief without requiring you to step back. Fee structures for co-counsel arrangements are flexible — flat fee splits or a direct engagement with the client, depending on what works for both firms.