In Ohio, you generally have 30 days from the entry of a civil judgment to file a notice of appeal, under App.R. 4(A). The notice is filed in the trial court, and a timely post-judgment motion can extend the deadline under App.R. 4(B)(2). Franklin County appeals go to the Tenth District Court of Appeals.
This page provides general information, not legal advice about your matter. Contacting the firm does not create an attorney-client relationship.
No second trial. One record. Brief to win.
An appeal is not a do-over. It is an argument about what the trial court got wrong, built from the transcript and the docket. We read every page before we tell you whether it is worth fighting.
No new witnesses. No new exhibits. The panel generally reviews what was objected to, proffered and ruled on below. That is why the first job is reading, not writing.
What we look for in the record
- Errors that were preserved by an objection, a motion or a proffer.
- Rulings on the law, such as summary judgment, that the panel reviews fresh.
- Discretionary calls that went far enough outside the lines to matter.
- Whether the entry is actually final, or whether the appeal would be premature.
Three strong issues beat twelve weak ones. We cut the arguments that dilute the brief.
Thirty days goes fast
Ordering the transcript, confirming the entry is final, and deciding whether a post-judgment motion helps or hurts all happen inside the window. Some post-judgment motions restart the clock once the trial court rules on them. Without one, a late notice can end the appeal before it starts.
Deadline running? Call 614-944-5151 today. The usual window is 30 days, and your exact deadline depends on the entry and the docket.
Winning below and defending the judgment
Appeals cut both ways. If you won and the other side appealed, the record still has to be defended, and a cross-appeal may be worth filing in its own short window. We handle both sides of the brief.
Coming from another practice
Many of our appeals start in our own trial work: a civil judgment, a divorce decree, or an employment ruling. We also review judgments from cases another firm tried, with fresh eyes on the record.
Why clients hire us
- We level the playing field with briefing built for the standard of review, and we fight to win the issues you preserved.
- We tell you early and plainly if the appeal is weak.
- The brief is built around the standard of review, because that standard decides how much deference the trial judge gets.
- We try cases, so we know what a preserved error looks like from counsel table.
- One team can carry a case from the trial court through the Tenth District when the facts call for it.
Bring the judgment entry and the docket. We will review them to confirm your deadline and what may be worth appealing. Then we fight to win the issues that record preserved.
FAQ
How long do I have to file an appeal in Ohio?
Generally 30 days from the entry of the judgment, under App.R. 4(A). A timely post-judgment motion can extend that time under App.R. 4(B)(2), so check the docket right away.
Can I appeal a summary judgment?
Yes, once it is a final, appealable order. The court of appeals reviews a summary judgment fresh, without deferring to the trial court’s view of the law.
Is an appeal a new trial?
No. The court of appeals reviews the existing record for legal error and does not hear new witnesses or new evidence.
What is the Tenth District?
It is the Ohio court of appeals that hears appeals from Franklin County. Panels of three judges decide the cases, in Columbus.
Can I appeal before the whole case is over?
Usually not. Most appeals must wait for a final order, though some rulings can be appealed sooner, so have the entry reviewed before you assume either way.
How long does an Ohio appeal take?
Often many months from the notice to the decision. Transcript preparation, the briefing schedule and the court’s calendar drive the timing.
Can I file a cross-appeal?
Yes, if you want the court to change part of the judgment the other side appealed. The window is short: generally the original appeal period or 10 days after their notice, whichever ends later (App.R. 4(B)(1)). Call as soon as you are served.
What should I bring?
The judgment entry, the docket, and any post-judgment motions. With those, we can confirm the deadline and spot the issues worth raising.
Appealing? Call before your deadline runs out
Don’t attach documents here. Call us and we’ll tell you how to send them securely. Read first steps after a civil judgment while you gather the docket.
Related
Jeckering & Associates, LLC · Columbus office: 10 N High St, Suite 301, Columbus, OH 43215 · 614-944-5151 · Mechanicsburg office: 16 S Main St, Mechanicsburg, OH 43044 · 937-896-2222 · staff@centralohiolegal.com · Hours Mon–Fri 9:00 AM–5:30 PM