Craig M LaChance

My practice focuses on civil appeals, representing appellants taking an appeal or appellees defending against an appeal. I handle all types of civil appeals---torts, property, and contracts. I am particularly adroit with appeals involving complex business disputes. I have appealed cases  in some of the most difficult areas of law, including antitrust, securities fraud, and international bankruptcies. When I do an appeal, I review the record and take the case apart to analyze the fundamental legal issues. My goal is to help clients reconceptualize their case and provide a new perspective for the appellate court. I am an exceptional brief writer with excellent analytical skills well-suited to complicated appeals. I relish difficult and am particulary good at explaining complex legal concepts. 

Some of my notable cases include:

• Briefed and argued appeal in case involving U.S. recognition of international insolvency proceedings to U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.
• Argued complicated bankruptcy appeal involving mortgage-backed securities in U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
• Authored briefs and attended oral argument for Arizona Supreme Court case that changed Arizona tort law, applying comparative fault principles to products liability cases
• Won a reversal in an abuse of process case against an insurer in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
• Won a reversal from the Arizona Court of Appeals of an order domesticating a multi-million dollar foreign judgment
• Authored brief is appeal of massive antitrust suit involving monopolization of the aviation equipment industry

As part of my appellate practice, I  write amicus (or friend of the court) briefs for clients interested in appeals pending before state and federal appellate court, including the US Supreme Court. With a background and facility in arguing public policy issues, I can help any . non-profits, trade assocation, an effective amicus brief that concisely states and argues a position. Indeed, I drafted amicus brief and attended oral argument at U.S. Supreme Court in Arizona v. U.S. on behalf of thousands of employers opposed to SB 1070 – Arizona’s controversial immigration law.