A Brief Review

A Connecticut Appellate Law Blog

Appeals in Connecticut can be complex—but understanding them does not have to be. A Brief Review is a Connecticut appellate law blog that offers clear, concise insights into Connecticut appeals. Authored by Connecticut appellate attorney Megan Wade, this blog provides updates on recent appellate decisions, practical tips on appellate procedure, and broader discussions about the legal system. Whether you are a trial attorney looking for quick takeaways or someone simply curious about appeals in CT, this blog helps you stay informed, feel more confident navigating the appellate process—and maybe even enjoy the process along the way. 


  • When to File a Motion to Reargue in Connecticut

    As a Connecticut appellate attorney, I often work with trial attorneys at the post-judgment stage—sometimes on a full appeal, but other times to explore whether an appeal can be avoided. One way to do that in Connecticut is by filing a motion to reargue / motion for reconsideration—formally known as a Practice Book § 11-11 […]

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  • When Can a Court Deviate from Child Support Guidelines? Avoiding Reversal on Appeal 

    When awarding child support, Connecticut courts must follow the child support guidelines, which establish a presumptive amount based on the parents’ incomes. A court may deviate from these guidelines, however, only if it makes three specific findings on the record to justify the deviation. Failure to do so can result in reversal on appeal.   A […]

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  • How Long Does the Appellate Process Take in Connecticut? A Comprehensive Guide for Civil and Family Appeals 

    Since launching Connecticut Appellate Law Firm, one of the most frequently asked questions I have received is: “How long does a Connecticut civil or family appeal take to resolve?”   In legal practice, the answer is often “it depends.”   Under typical circumstances and without any special motions or complexities, the process from filing an appeal to […]

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  • Connecticut Family Law Appeal: Trial Court’s Visitation Order Overturned 

    In Cardona v. Padilla, the Connecticut Appellate Court considered whether the trial court abused its discretion in making its custody and visitation orders, which substantially limited the non-custodial parent’s access to parenting time with the child. In this family appeal, the Appellate Court held that the trial court abused its discretion because the trial court […]

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  • Appealing Factual Findings? Not Without Transcripts

    When an appellant challenges a trial court’s factual findings, attention to procedural rules is crucial. In Park Seymour Associates, LLC v. City of Hartford / Park Squire Associates, LLC v. City of Hartford, the plaintiffs discovered this the hard way. Despite their reliance on testimony to argue that the trial court’s factual findings were clearly […]

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  • Lack of Standing as an Unpreserved Alternative Ground for Affirmance 

    In North Branford Citizens Against Bulk Propane Storage v. Town of North Branford et al., the Connecticut Appellate Court considered a plaintiff-association’s challenge to a zoning regulation amendment that allowed the construction of a bulk propane storage facility in North Branford.   In resolving the appeal, the Appellate Court relied on an unpreserved alternative ground for […]

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  • Understanding Ordinary Negligence and Wrongful Life Claims in Connecticut: A Look at Suprynowicz v. Tohan 

    The Connecticut Supreme Court recently tackled a nuanced legal issue in Suprynowicz v. Tohan: whether allegations involving a reproductive endocrinologist’s misconduct during IVF procedures should be classified as wrongful life claims or ordinary negligence. This decision provides key insights into Connecticut tort law and the fine line between these two claim types, offering guidance to […]

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  • Connecticut Supreme Court Clarifies Workers’ Compensation Insurance Policy Cancellation Rules 

    An Insurer’s Conduct Can Render a Cancellation Notice Ambiguous  An insurer’s conduct can render a cancellation notice that otherwise complies with General Statutes § 31-348 indefinite, uncertain, and ambiguous. This decision from the Connecticut Supreme Court highlights the importance of clarity in cancellations and provides guidance for attorneys handling such cases.  Case Background Thomas Napolitano, doing […]

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  • Why Alternative Grounds for Affirmance Matter for Appellees

    What happens when the trial court’s reasoning falters on appeal? For appellees, alternative grounds for affirmance can save the day.  Appellees must consider all possible bases for affirmance, including those not relied on by the trial court. By raising and briefing alternative grounds, appellees provide appellate courts with additional paths to uphold a decision.  The […]

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  • Navigating the 2025 Updates to Connecticut’s Appellate Rules

    As we step into 2025, appellate practitioners and litigants in Connecticut must familiarize themselves with the amendments to the Rules of Appellate Procedure. These changes, effective January 1, 2025 (with some provisions effective October 1, 2024), reflect the judiciary’s effort to modernize appellate practice and streamline processes for both counsel and self-represented litigants.  Noteworthy Updates […]

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