Legal Question in Civil Litigation in Texas
Can I represent myself in appellate court?
I won a judgement against my son last August regarding some college loans. My attorney kept insisting I should accept settlement offers that were significantly lower than the judgement and a fraction of the total debt. Ultimately, my attorney withdrew from my case at the same time my son's attorney was appealing the judgment. I have until the middle of March to file a response to the other attorney's brief. I do not have another $5000 to retain another attorney. Can I successfully represent myself in this matter (or at least write my own brief)? And do I have a legitimate complaint against my attorney for abandonment?
2 Answers from Attorneys
Re: Can I represent myself in appellate court?
You can represent yourself pro se in the appellate court. However, brief-writing is a skilled area and one not many attorneys are skilled at, so the success may be questionable.
If the judgment is collectible, you really should try and contact an appellate attorney who may assist and advise without being responsible for the brief itself.
As to abandonment, probably not. You got judgment, so your attorney could reasonably consider the engagement done.
Re: Can I represent myself in appellate court?
Appeals are very intricate. Writing your own brief is not something I would advise anyone to undertake. Did you contract with the attorney and pay the attorney to pursue an appeal? Plenty of good attorneys practice in the Pasadena area. John Crow used to have an office there.
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