Appellate and Supreme Court Litigation

Our nationally recognized appellate team delivers strategic, persuasive advocacy – both written and oral – at every stage of litigation. Clients benefit from seamless collaboration with trial teams and a deep bench of experienced lawyers who craft winning arguments and drive impactful results.

Widely recognized as one of the most accomplished appellate practices in the U.S., our team has argued more than 50 cases before the Supreme Court and hundreds more across all 13 federal courts of appeals, numerous state appellate courts, and trial courts nationwide.

Led by Cate Stetson and Jessica Ellsworth – two of the most respected advocates in the country – and joined by J.A. Sagar, Sean Marotta, and Katie Wellington, our team is defined by strategic precision and collaborative strength. We partner seamlessly with trial counsel to shape winning narratives, craft persuasive briefs, and deliver impactful oral arguments that drive results.

Our deep bench of associates and paralegals is integral to our success. Every lawyer has clerked for an appellate judge – many for Supreme Court justices – and our associates are trusted front-line advocates, with ten having argued more than a dozen cases across over ten appellate courts.

Named to the National Law Journal’s 2024 Appellate Hot List and Law360’s Appellate Practice Group of the Year, our team is committed to excellence in advocacy. Cate Stetson, one of only two women nationally ranked Band 1 for Appellate Law by Chambers USA, and Jessica Ellsworth, Law360’s 2024 Appellate MVP, anchor a practice that continues to shape precedent and policy nationwide.

Our capabilities at a glance

Argued more than 50 cases before the U.S. Supreme Court

100

Argued hundreds of cases before all 13 federal appeals courts

Hear from our clients and industry leaders

If I'm going to anyone in the country on an appeal of some importance, it's Cate Stetson

Chambers USA 2021

She's able to see critical issues and is super sharp. She's very well credentialed before many of the Courts of Appeal and SCOTUS and good at judging which issues are worth pressing. – praise for Jessica Ellsworth

Chambers USA 2025

Key contacts

Cate Stetson

Partner

Cate Stetson

Partner

Washington, D.C.

Jessica L. Ellsworth

Partner

Jessica L. Ellsworth

Partner

Washington, D.C.

Meet the Appellate and Supreme Court Litigation team

Representative experience

Our lawyers have argued multiple Supreme Court cases in almost every major area of law, including patents, preemption, class actions, trademarks, Native American law, employment, privacy, and ERISA.

Our team has handled dozens of complex regulatory appeals in the D.C. Circuit and other federal appellate courts for the communications, energy, food, health, and pharmaceutical industries.

We have argued significant appeals in federal courts involving issue ranging from False Claims Act liability to class actions, contract interpretation, and patent law.

Our litigators have briefed and argued appeals in the intermediate and high courts of many states, including California, Colorado, Florida, Maine, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, and in the District of Columbia.

Awards and recognitions

Band 1: Chambers USA Nationwide

Appellate Law

2025

Appellate Practice Group of the Year

Law360

2024

Sole Winner of Appellate Hot List

National Law Journal

2024

Appellate and Supreme Court Litigation

Our nationally recognized appellate team delivers strategic, persuasive advocacy – both written and oral – at every stage of litigation. Clients benefit from seamless collaboration with trial teams and a deep bench of experienced lawyers who craft winning arguments and drive impactful results.

Widely recognized as one of the most accomplished appellate practices in the U.S., our team has argued more than 50 cases before the Supreme Court and hundreds more across all 13 federal courts of appeals, numerous state appellate courts, and trial courts nationwide.

Our capabilities at a glance

Argued more than 50 cases before the U.S. Supreme Court

Argued hundreds of cases before all 13 federal appeals courts

Hear from our clients and industry leaders

If I'm going to anyone in the country on an appeal of some importance, it's Cate Stetson

She's able to see critical issues and is super sharp. She's very well credentialed before many of the Courts of Appeal and SCOTUS and good at judging which issues are worth pressing. – praise for Jessica Ellsworth

Key contacts

Representative experience

Awards and recognitions

Band 1: Chambers USA Nationwide

Appellate Practice Group of the Year

Sole Winner of Appellate Hot List

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