"Retaining appellate counsel signals that the client is serious about taking the appeal, which may encourage settlement. Many appellate courts have settlement parts where cases can be resolved in conference before perfecting the appeal; a specialist's evaluation and handling in these parts may make all the difference" (Mauro & Nicholson, For Appeals: Trial Counsel or Specialist?, Medical Malpractice Law & Strategy, Vol. VIII, No. 7, June 1991). Appellate counsel’s evaluation of an appeal, whether positive or negative, often provides a basis for achieving settlement of the case in the appellate arena.