The Law Firm of Blanchard, Merriam & Adel, PA, Attorneys at Law serving Ocala, Florida Since 1974

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Appellate Practice




Appellate Practice

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Dock A. Blanchard

Although a number of BMAKG’s lawyers have extensive experience with appeals, our appellate practice is headed by Mr. Blanchard, who has earned board certification from the Florida Bar as an appellate practitioner. Mr. Blanchard is extremely proud of his recognition by the Florida Bar by being honored with two board certifications – in civil trial law and appeals. Mr. Blanchard has handled appeals throughout Florida, and has argued before the Idaho Supreme Court. This experience assures you that whether successful or unsuccessful at trial you will have a recognized expert on any appeal; only a board certified attorney may be designated an “expert.” If you have been involved in litigation whether in Ocala, another city in Florida, in State or Federal Court and seek the services of an expert appellate practitioner we welcome your consideration. If you already have an attorney you may discuss with them whether they should consider an appellate expert for any appellate review. If you are already our client then you have the assurance that on appeal we can aggressively defend any successful decision or seek to overturn any adverse one.

In the cities of Florida such as Ocala there are different levels of appeals. In State Court there is County Court which is broken into two levels. These two levels are Marion County Small Claims Court (adjudicating claims up to $5,000), and Marion County Court of General Jurisdiction (handling claims involving disputes up to $15,000 dollars). Appeals from County Court go to the Circuit Court. This is also a trial court (for claims exceeding $15,000) but acts in an appellate capacity for the decisions of the County Court. In Ocala, decisions of the Circuit Court are appealed to the Fifth District Court of Appeals which is located in Daytona Beach, Florida. Appeals from the District Court go to the Florida Supreme Court in Tallahassee.

In the Federal system the trial Court is called the District Court, and Ocala has its own Court as a division of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida. Appeals from this District Court go to the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals which is located in Atlanta, Georgia. Appeals from the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals go to the United States Supreme Court.


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