To properly litigate an appeal, an attorney must devote appropriate time to compiling and reviewing the record, as well as performing extensive research, writing a persuasive brief and preparing for and presenting oral argument. Invariably, however, trial attorneys lack the required time to focus on these appellate tasks because their efforts are dedicated to trial litigation. Simply put, "'[i]t's impossible to do both'" (Mauro & Nicholson, For Appeals: Trial Counsel or Specialist?, Medical Malpractice Law & Strategy, Vol. VIII, No. 7, June 1991), and quite risky to try. Since their practice is dedicated exclusively to appeals, appellate attorneys necessarily focus all of their time on appellate matters, thereby ensuring quality attention to every appeal.

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