Introduction

If this is your first time in this court, welcome.  If it has been a while since you filed a brief with us, welcome back.  Practicing in a federal appeals court is different from practicing in a trial court, state or federal, and there are even notable differences from state appellate work.  With this in mind, there are a number of resources available to assist you.

As an initial matter, if you intend to practice in this court, you can count on referring frequently to the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure, and especially our local Tenth Circuit Rules.  Our Practitioner’s Guide is also a good source of information.

If you can’t find the answer to a question in the rules or if you have a special concern about an appeal, do not hesitate to call the clerk’s office at 303-844-3157.  We have real people answering the phone and a well-trained staff who can assist you.

The following sections provide general information you may find useful.  However, this information is no substitute for a careful review of the federal and our local rules.