North Carolina’s preeminent firm for Criminal Appeals and Post-Conviction Support.
Blau | Hynson was formed when two successful appellate practices—those of Daniel M. Blau (Board Certified Specialist in Appellate Practice) and Warren D. Hynson—combined to focus exclusively on criminal appeals and post-conviction litigation. With associate Emily C. Maggio, our team brings an appellate lawyer’s discipline to every matter: precise issue selection, rigorous briefing, and advocacy designed to produce relief that actually changes lives.
We accept only a small percentage of inquiries each year so we can devote the time, resources, and judgment that high-stakes cases demand. If there is a viable path, we will map it; if not, we will say so clearly.
What We Do
Core Focus (Exclusively)
- State Criminal Appeals: North Carolina Court of Appeals and Supreme Court
- Federal Criminal Appeals: U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
- State Post-Conviction Relief: Motions for Appropriate Relief (MARs)
- Federal Post-Conviction Relief: § 2255 motions and related habeas proceedings
Related Relief (When Statutorily Available)
- Expungements & Collateral-Consequence Petitions:
Record expungement eligibility, petitions for removal from the sex-offender registry, and restoration of firearm rights
Strategic Support
- Trial Consultations for Appellate Preservation:
Pre-trial and in-trial guidance to protect issues, refine motion practice, and build a record built to withstand review
How We Work
- Selectivity with purpose: We pursue matters where the law, timing, and record make relief realistically attainable.
- Record-driven advocacy: Appeals and post-conviction claims succeed on the paper—transcripts, orders, and admissible proof.
- Candor first: We provide straightforward assessments, including when the best answer is “not now” or “not viable.”
- Statewide reach: We handle cases across North Carolina and in the Fourth Circuit.
Considering an inquiry? Start with our Post-Conviction Support Application and explore our Managing Expectations series to understand timelines, standards of review, and what courts will (and won’t) consider.
WHAT WE DO: ARGUMENTS ON APPEAL
In this video, Dan makes oral argument in an appeal to the North Carolina Supreme Court, at its historic, first-ever session in Asheville in May 2018. This video precisely illustrates how an appellate lawyer applies the law and then argues that applicability on behalf of a client before and with our State's most nimble and highly regarded legal minds.
Ready for a Candid Review?
If you are weighing an appeal or post-conviction petition, deadlines control. Contact us for a confidential evaluation at (919) 256-3606 or begin with the Post-Conviction Support Application. We don’t take many cases—but we take them seriously.
