Federal Court of Appeals Civil Appeal Procedures Survey

The Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure establish baseline civil appeal procedures, but local rules and circuit-specific practices vary materially. This survey covers the circuits the firm most regularly practices in. Notice of appeal must be filed within 30 days of the judgment under FRAP 4(a)(1)(A), or 60 days when the United States is a party. Local rules govern brief length, oral argument time allocation, and en banc procedures. Federal Circuit practice for patent and government contract appeals follows distinct local rules diverging from the regional circuits on briefing format and oral argument allocation. The DC Circuit's administrative law docket includes unique conventions for petitions for review of agency action under 5 U.S.C. § 706. The Ninth Circuit's memorandum disposition practice and the Fifth Circuit's published-opinion practices differ in their precedential weight implications. Verify each circuit's current local rules and any standing orders before drafting appellate filings, since local rule amendments are not always picked up by general practice references.