Trial Consultations: A Collaborative Appellate Perspective at Trial

At Blau | Hynson, we work with trial teams not over them. Our role is to add an appellate perspective that complements counsel’s strategy, helping ensure the record reflects the choices you’re making in real time. When an appeal becomes necessary, you’ve already laid the groundwork deliberately, confidently, and on your terms.

What We Add (Without Changing Your Voice)

Trial work moves quickly; appellate review moves on paper. We bridge that gap. Together we:

• Plan preservation intentionally: map objections, offers of proof, and charge-conference requests to the standards likely to control on appeal.
• Refine motion practice: tighten Rule-based and constitutional theories, propose targeted orders, and build a clean record for rulings.
• Coordinate expert and evidentiary issues: focus Daubert/702 challenges, craft stipulations that help (not hurt) sufficiency, and track limiting instructions.
• Spot interlocutory opportunities: when the law allows, assess whether early review serves the strategy—or whether it’s better to bank the issue for later.
• Document outcomes clearly: proposed findings, written requests, and clarifying questions that show the court exactly what was decided and why.

Our service can be tailored to the case you are trying. We support the strategy you’ve chosen and help ensure the record reflects it.

How the Collaboration Works

We start with a brief call to understand your strategy, timeline, and how you’d like us involved. From there, we can provide an issue map aligned with your theory of defense, assist with focused drafting, or be available during trial or a charge-conference if that’s helpful. We’re flexible, visible on discrete issues only, and defer to your lead and your client relationship. Our role is to make sure the record can reflect the strategies you’re already developing.

When Teams Bring Us In

Lawyers bring us in when the stakes are high and the issues are technical. Typical scenarios include:

• Complex evidentiary disputes or significant digital/scientific proof
• Sex-offense matters with potential lifetime consequences
• Federal cases with substantial guideline exposure or mandatory minimums
• Multi-count indictments where one ruling can shape the entire verdict
• Trials carrying decades or life of potential imprisonment
• Post-verdict and sentencing questions, including clean notices and conditions

If your case looks like any of the above or you just want an appellate lens on a fast-moving record, we’re ready to collaborate.

Professional Courtesy, Always

We respect trial counsel’s craft. Our involvement is confidential, collaborative, and calibrated to the role you choose. If an appeal is filed, we can transition smoothly or support your preferred appellate counsel with organized, preservation-ready files.

Call Us Before the Record Closes

Once trial ends, opportunities narrow. If you’d like an appellate partner to help capture the strategy you’re already executing, we’re here to assist.

📞 (919) 256-3606 · Blau | Hynson · Collaborative trial consultations statewide