On Aug. 7, 2024, the Ohio Supreme Court dismissed the appeal in Kyser v. Summit County Children Services (discretionary case number 2022-1419 and certified conflict case number 2023-0126) for lack of a final appealable order under R.C. 2506.01 on a 5-2 vote. The decision came after full rounds of substantive briefing in the trial court, intermediate appellate court, and the Supreme Court of Ohio. On the eve of oral argument before the Supreme Court of Ohio, the court requested briefing on whether a final appealable order existed and, ultimately, dismissed the appeal on that basis.Continue Reading The first checklist question: Is there a final appealable order?
Oral Argument
Appellate mergers and acquisitions (and retirements): The Legally Speaking Ohio legacy
At Ohio Appellate Insights, we are happy to announce that Porter Wright has “acquired” the long-running and well-regarded blog, Legally Speaking Ohio. Legally Speaking Ohio was run by University of Cincinnati Professor Emerita (and former First District Court of Appeals Judge) Marianna Brown Bettman, who is retiring this summer. Professor Bettman announced the transition here.
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A pain worse than losing: Dismissal for lack of a final appealable order
On March 16, 2022, the Ohio Supreme Court dismissed the appeal in Rachel Davis v. Tammie Nathaniel, a case in which a biological aunt was seeking companionship status and visitation of her sister’s three children, who were adopted by another aunt when their mother passed away in 2013.
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What’s fair game in supplementation at the Ohio Supreme Court?
Last month, Terry Posey wrote on the blog about supplemental authority at oral argument — before the intermediate court of appeals. But what about the Ohio Supreme Court?
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FLASH UPDATE: Remote oral argument is back at Ohio Supreme Court
From April 7, 2020, through Sept. 7, 2021, the Ohio Supreme Court conducted oral argument remotely. This was done mostly through Zoom, but originally the court used a different service. I wrote a post on preparing for remote oral argument at the time.
Continue Reading FLASH UPDATE: Remote oral argument is back at Ohio Supreme Court
Understanding supplemental authority at oral argument
If you prepare for oral argument enough times, eventually it will happen. Whether preparing directly for an argument or working on another matter, you will find a case that should have been included in your briefing. What do you do when you find such authority?
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The most important thing in preparing for oral argument
One thing that can set appellate lawyers apart from most people (and there are many) is they tend to watch more oral arguments. Appellate lawyers thrive on keeping up with new case developments and hearing how justices and judges are engaging with all parties.
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Rescheduling oral argument at the Supreme Court (2021 edition)
Last year, I spent some time looking at the Ohio Supreme Court’s response to motions to reschedule oral argument. There have been another few requests lately, and it is worth seeing if we can divine any potential outcomes.
If you’re not up to speed on the process, the Ohio Supreme Court generally denies motions to reschedule oral argument. This stated preference begins in S.Ct.Prac.R. 17.01(D):
An oral argument assignment before the Supreme Court takes precedence over assignments in other courts of this state.
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Definitely don’t do this at oral argument
“You guys” is some easy vernacular for people of certain age groups (me included). But it should never be used to refer to the judges at oral argument.
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Verbal fillers at oral argument
Demystifying “umms” and “uhhs” in order to improve oral argument.
Continue Reading Verbal fillers at oral argument