Tell us about your top U.S. Supreme Court or federal appeals court victory over the past year and how you and your team achieved the win.

Our victories required creative, coordinated strategies to change the law. In ACA v. FCC, which I argued in the D.C. Circuit, we successfully challenged an FCC Order that expanded the types of calling equipment prohibited by the TCPA. This win shifted the landscape in class action defendants' favor nationwide. In Heller v. DWT, which I argued in the California Supreme Court, we established that a bankrupt law firm has no right to hourly fees earned by other firms on the defunct firm's prior matters, because client matters belong to clients, not lawyers. In SAS Institute v. Iancu, Greg Castanias persuaded the Supreme Court, contrary to prior policy and Federal Circuit precedent, that PTAB inter partes review requires review and decision of all disputed patent claims.

How did your firm approach appellate success over the past year?

We often lay the groundwork for appeal before we file a pleading in district court. We work with substantive experts firmwide to present specialized subjects to generalist courts. And we draw on our deep bench, including many recent Supreme Court clerks, for brainstorming and analysis.

What practice advice would you give your younger self?

Write in plain English. Be unfailingly accurate about the record and your use of authority. Deal diplomatically with co-counsel and opposing counsel. Understand your client's industry and goals, which will make you both a more trusted adviser and a better advocate for your client's cause.

Responses submitted by Shay Dvoretzky, a partner at Jones Day.