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.

In Rimini Street v. Oracle, the Supreme Court confronted the narrow but significant question whether the authorization to award "full costs" in the Copyright Act includes expert fees and e-discovery expenses. The court had previously held that the term "costs" in other statutes was limited to a defined set of statutory costs; the question here was whether the modifier "full" expanded that authorization. We demonstrated that the phrase "full costs" historically meant all statutory costs—just as "full moon" means all of the moon but not Mars. Reversing the Ninth Circuit, the Supreme Court unanimously agreed with our submission.

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

We emphasize teamwork in our appellate practice. While one lawyer appears at the lectern, many more are involved in strategy, research, writing and editing, and other aspects of a successful appeal.

What is the most satisfying element of appellate practice in your opinion?

We help clients with their most pressing legal and business issues, which often have ramifications for the company, an industry or the entire economy. It is extremely rewarding to play a role in the development of the law.

What's the most valuable lesson you learned as a young lawyer?

"Tell the story." One of my mentors taught me that as a junior associate, and I pass along the same advice to younger lawyers. Legal issues have to be contextualized to resonate with the audience.

Submitted by Mark Perry, partner and co-chair of the appellate and constitutional law practice at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher.