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 wins this year showcase our team's breadth and depth of expertise. In one busy six-week stretch, [our] appellate lawyers argued 12 appeals, crisscrossing the country to the Second, Eighth, Ninth, Federal and D.C. Circuits. We won [10] and obtained partial relief in the other two. Of note this year, we scored nine Ninth Circuit wins for multiple clients, including going three-for-three for UPS in appeals about its branded Next Day Air package-delivery services, in two nationwide class actions and a False Claims Act suit.

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

Our team wins with strategic thinking, concise writing and powerful oral advocacy. We combine [the firm's] top-notch appellate specialists with first-rate subject matter specialists. Joe, Brian and I are fostering next-generation appellate superstars.

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

I like figuring out why our clients are right and then distilling it into a brief everyone can understand. I then enjoy the challenge at oral argument of concisely putting to rest any doubts the Court may have.

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

Practice your oral argument in sound bites that can be said different ways and in different orders. The best arguments are conversations, not speeches, so you need to be able to respond to the judges while still making your points.

Submitted by Deanne Maynard, partner at Morrison & Foerster.