11th Circuit Court of Appeals Boot Camp: The Nuts and Bolts [Two-Part Webinar] (Watch Live or via OnDemand Streaming)

Agenda

Agenda

Part 1: Tuesday, April 7, 2026
1:00 p.m. – 4:45 pm Eastern Time

1:00 p.m. – 1:25 p.m.
An Overview and Inside Look at 11^th Circuit Practice
Kathryn (Katie) Ender

• Overview of the structure of the 11^th Circuit
• 11^th Circuit docket orders/time schedules demystified 

1:25 p.m. – 2:20 p.m.
Initiating the Appeal in Civil Cases
Elliot Kula and Elaine Walter or William Mueller

• Should you appeal?
• Do you have an appeal as a matter of right?
• If not, what are your options for interlocutory review?
• Petitions for permission to appeal (28 U.S.C. § 1292(b), Fed. R. Civ. P. 23(f))
• Entry of separate judgment as to fewer than all parties/claims (Fed. R. Civ. P. 54(b))
• Appeals from orders granting or denying preliminary injunctions
• Writs
• Initiating the appeal

2:20 – 2:30
BREAK

2:30 p.m. – 2:50 p.m.
The Court’s Decision—What Relief and in What Form?
Julissa Rodriguez

• The five main dispositions – affirm, reverse, vacate, remand and dismiss
• Published opinions versus unpublished memoranda
• Certifying state-law questions to state supreme courts
• Practice tips: framing the relief your client needs

 2:50 p.m. – 3:20 p.m.
Appellate Stays and Bonds
Julissa Rodriguez and Arturo Ayala for bond questions

• When can enforcement of a judgment begin?
• Staying a money judgment by providing security
• Staying a money judgment without security
• Staying (or creating) an injunction pending appeal
• From which court do I request a stay?

3:20 p.m. – 3:25 p.m.
BREAK

3:25 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.
11^th Circuit Motion Practice
Alyssa Reiter and Kathryn (Katie) Ender

• Procedural
• Extensions of time
• Oversized briefs
• Consolidation
• Withdrawal / substitution of counsel
• Stay of appellate proceedings
• Strike
• Limited remand
• Expedite
• In forma pauperis

Substantive

• Dismiss
• Summary affirmance / summary disposition
• Stay / injunctive relief
• Appointment of counsel

Original proceedings

• Petitions for permission to appeal
  • 28 U.S.C. s. 1292(b), Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 23(f)
• Mandamus petitions 

Miscellaneous issues

• If relief is needed on an “emergency” basis (fewer than 21 days)

Part 2: Thursday, April 9, 2026
1:00 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. Eastern Time

1:00 p.m.  – 1:20 p.m.
The 11^th Circuit Mediation Program
Elliot Kula  

1:20 p.m.  – 2:50 p.m.
Brief Writing
Rebecca M. Plasencia and Ilene Pabian

• 11th Cir rules/customs v. State rules/customs generally
• How to decide what you’ll put in your briefs
• Standard of review in briefs [max 5 min]
• Excerpt of Records requirement
• A walk through of your briefs
• What persuades your judges?
• What does not persuade your judges?
• Writing tips

2:50 p.m.  – 3:00 p.m.
BREAK  

3:00 p.m.  – 4:00 p.m.
Oral Argument
Christopher Bellows and Matthew Friedlander

• Process and components
  • Scheduling
  • Whether or not and why they get scheduled
  • How judges are picked
  • What happens after your argument?
• How to prepare
• What is the usual timing?
• What are the most important rules?
• What are judges are expecting from you?
• In-person presentation tips
• Additional tips for online arguments
  • Tech and what to expect from the court
  • Expectations of judges
  • Court reporters
  • Dress and presence
  • Your location & background choices

4:00 – 4:05
BREAK

4:05 p.m.  – 4:45 p.m.
Post-Decision Practice
Kristen Fiore

• Petitions for panel rehearing
• Petitions for rehearing en banc
• Petitions for attorney fees
• Cost bills
• Petitions for certiorari
  • Making your appeal cert proof

Date/Time/Location

📅 Two-Part Live Webinar

Dates:

• Part 1: Tuesday, April 7, 2026
• Part 2: Thursday, April 9, 2026

Time (Both Days):
🕐 1:00 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. Eastern Time

You’ll receive your login instructions and program materials approximately one week before the seminar. Be sure to check your inbox (and spam folder), and add info@pincusproed.com to your contacts to ensure delivery.

Testimonials

“I entered ‘5’ for ‘very satisfied.’  Despite being an experienced lawyer, I knew I needed more information about the basics of representing a potential 11th Circuit litigant.  The presenters included actual 11th Circuit judges, as well as attorneys with decades of trial and appellate experience.  I found the motion practice and subject/personal jurisdiction tips particularly helpful and of course appreciated the “view from the bench” from presiding judges.  I’m looking forward to day 2!” – Thea Janeway, Esq.

“The presentation was easy to follow and well road-mapped.” – Zane Leiden, Esq.

“This was a good introduction to practicing in the 11th circuit, and there were some tips I can apply in state court and district court as well.” – Anelise Codrington, Esq.

“The speakers provided a wide variety of information regarding 11th Circuit practice and answered my specific questions. I have an upcoming oral argument in the 11th Circuit and found the panel discussion on the subject particularly helpful.” – Ken Davis, Esq.

“Great presentation!” – Audrey DeBouver, Esq.

“Very informative, providing broad information helpful for practitioners new to the 11th circuit as well as more specific practical advice for those already engaged in practice in the 11th circuit.” – James Cory Wilkinson, Esq.

“Very well presented.” – Scott Kalisch, Esq.

“My objective was to learn more about the 11th Circuit ADR process. I found the Bootcamp’s section about the Kinnard Mediation Center to be informative and specific, such that I now have a path forward with respect to my own client matters.” – Thea Janeway, Esq.

“Excellent organized presentation.” – Heather Kendall Karrh, Esq.

“Very thorough and informative.” – Michael D’Lugo, Esq.

“Very informative. Helpful information in navigating 11th Cir. rules and procedure.” – Kevin Abernethy, Esq.

“I thought it was very helpful.” – Ken Davis, Esq.

“It definitely made me cautious about building a record, meeting the criteria for an appeal, and being hyper-conscious about deadlines.” – Zane Leiden, Esq.

“I gave each of the speakers a ‘best’ rating because they were personable, excellent communicators, and clearly were experts in their domain of the presentation. I felt that the material was well-suited for participants of my background (i.e., attorneys with little or no federal appellate experience). In addition, the overall online program was moderated very well, having reliable timelines and audiovisual effects. I wish all online event moderators would disable attendees’ video screens – I believe doing so preserves the quantity of bandwidth and data Zoom’s bandwidth and data consumption, which, in turn, produces a better experience for both viewers and presenters.” – Thea Janeway Esq.

“Great program and information.” – Ken Davis, Esq.

“Insightful practical tips.”

“The second part covered all of these issues (briefing, oral argument) that I needed to learn about.”

“Very helpful. Useful information.”

“Very thorough and informative!”

“Covered a lot of ground.”

“Excellent! Glad I attended!”

Faculty

Christopher N. Bellows, Esq.
Partner
Holland & Knight LLP

Christopher N. Bellows is an appellate attorney who has handled complex civil appeals in the Supreme Court of Florida, all Florida District Courts of Appeal and the federal appellate courts.

Mr. Bellows also has significant experience in complex commercial litigation, including areas of contract law, Uniform Commercial Code, business torts, foreclosures, receiverships, replevins, construction disputes, landlord-tenant litigation, product liability, personal injury, first amendment, employment discrimination, housing discrimination, environmental law, professional malpractice, antitrust, securities fraud and shareholder disputes.

Kathryn (Katie) L. Ender, Esq.
Partner • Florida Bar Board Certified Appellate Specialist
Dinsmore & Shohl LLP

Kathryn (“Katie”) Ender is a Florida Bar Board Certified Specialist in Appellate Litigation. Katie co-chairs Dinsmore’s national Appellate and Legal Issues practice, and chairs Florida’s appellate group. With 17 years of litigation and appellate experience, Katie provides skilled representation and legal counsel to clients from pre-suit demand through trial, and to conclusion of any appeal. Katie’s primary areas of practice include insurance coverage, contract law, construction disputes, premises liability negligence, professional negligence, and attorneys’ fee disputes.

Katie has significant experience handling complex civil appeals, and has handled over 350 appeals, argued over 50 oral arguments, and obtained over 75 written decisions in Florida’s state and federal courts. At the trial level, Katie routinely acts as embedded litigation support counsel, offering strategic support to trial counsel, and handling all legal issues, dispositive motions, jury instructions, and pre- and post-trial motion practice.

As a former member and Vice-Chair of the Florida Bar Standing Committee on Civil Rules, Katie has a multilayered knowledge of Florida’s rules of procedure, and uses this to her advantage throughout her practice. Katie has also authored chapters for Florida’s Civil Practice Before Trial secondary source (14th edition), and is a frequent presenter on preservation of error, appellate procedure, and issues involving attorneys’ fees.

Katie received her law degree from the American University Washington College of Law and, post-graduation, served as a law clerk for the Honorable Vance E. Salter at the Third District Court of Appeal.

Kristen Fiore, Esq.
Partner
Akerman LLP

Board certified in Appellate Practice by The Florida Bar, Kristen Fiore’s practice focuses on complex appellate matters. Prior to joining Akerman, Kristen served as a senior staff attorney for Florida Supreme Court Justice Barbara Pariente and a staff attorney for Fourth District Court of Appeal Judge Fred Hazouri. During her clerkships at both the highest and intermediate levels of appellate courts in Florida, she reviewed hundreds of briefs and participated in countless appeals, exposing her to a broad range of appellate issues and providing clients invaluable insight in framing compelling arguments and preservation of error issues during the trial stage of litigation.

Kristen’s extensive experience encompasses civil and administrative cases touching on a wide range of law, including constitutional issues, discovery, class actions, damages, bankruptcy, malpractice, probate, Indian law, taxation, and family, among others. Significant areas of focus in her appellate work include financial, insurance, and labor and employment disputes.

Prior to entering the practice of law, Kristen held several roles in human resources and general management in the financial services and consulting industries. Kristen’s diverse background provides her unique perspective into the intricate issues facing her clients.

Matthew Friedlander, Esq.
Founding Partner
Webb Daniel Friedlander LLP

Matthew Friedlander is an appellate litigator and founding partner of Webb Daniel Friedlander, LLP. He spent years honing his research, writing, negotiation, and trial skills at two international law firms, litigating a variety of complex, high stakes matters. Mr. Friedlander joined Laurie Webb Daniel to start Webb Daniel Friedlander, LLP as an appellate boutique to focus on the work he loves: motions, appeals, and strategic trial support.

While the focus of Mr. Friedlander’s practice is appellate advocacy in state and federal courts, he has experience representing a diverse array of clients in complex, high-value commercial and casualty disputes at all stages of the litigation process. This well-rounded litigation experience makes him a better appellate advocate.

Mr. Friedlander is a “lawyer’s lawyer.” Clients hire him before trial to provide a thorough analysis of all legal issues in the case and to draft complex discovery and dispositive motions. At trial, he works with trial counsel to preserve all potential appellate issues. This typically involves drafting and arguing motions in limine, making contemporaneous objections to improper testimony, documentary evidence, and arguments of counsel, drafting and arguing directed verdict motions, and guiding the court through the charge conference. After trial, he often drafts and argues post-trial motions and, of course, provides appellate representation by drafting appellate briefs and conducting oral argument before a panel of appellate judges.

Elliot Kula, Esq.
Principal Partner
Kula & Associates, P.A.

Elliot Kula practices exclusively as an appellate attorney. Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Appellate Practice, Elliot represents clients in state and federal appellate courts, in almost every substantive area, having participated in well over 1,000 appeals. He is proud to have served as president of the Miami Dade Trial Lawyers Association and the Third DCH Historical Society, and currently serves as a Trustee for the Florida Supreme Court Historical Society. Elliot left “big law” in 2011 to open the appellate boutique, Kula & Associates, P.A., where he works with his partners, Aaron Daniel and William Mueller, both Board Certified in Appellate Practice — brilliant in their craft and great people.

William D. Mueller, Esq.
Partner
Kula & Associates, P.A.

Originally from Miami, William obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Professional Writing and Decision Science from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA. William then graduated from the University of Miami School of Law, magna cum laude. As a law student, William served in the University of Miami Race and Social Justice Law Review, and interned with Judge Peter R. Lopez in the 11th Judicial Circuit of Florida. William also interned and worked as a fellow for the University of Miami Health Rights Clinic, and as a research assistant for Professor Ricardo Bascuas.

Since then, William has been a dedicated appellate attorney who focuses his practice exclusively on appeals and trial support. He has represented clients in state and federal courts across a broad range of legal issues. William has argued before every Florida District Court of Appeal, as well as the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit and multiple federal district courts. He works closely with trial counsel at every stage of litigation to develop effective strategies, preserve appellate issues, and position cases for success on appeal.

William has been board-certified in appellate practice since 2021.

Ilene L. Pabian, Esq.
Partner
Holland & Knight LLP

Ilene L. Pabian is an attorney in Holland & Knight’s Appellate and Litigation practice groups and is based in the Miami and Fort Lauderdale offices. Her practice focuses primarily on state and federal appeals and trial support. Ms. Pabian has significant experience in multiple substantive areas, including contractual disputes, commercial litigation, professional negligence, product liability, personal injury, wrongful death, consumer protection, trusts and estates, taxation, intellectual property, employment law, family law, administrative law, and sovereign immunity. She also provides strategic advice on matters involving legal ethics.

Ms. Pabian has litigated appeals in all of Florida’s District Courts of Appeal, the Florida Supreme Court, U.S. Supreme Court and U.S. Court of Appeals for the First, Second, Ninth, Eleventh and Federal Circuits. She also assists trial lawyers with appeals and matters before Florida Circuit Courts, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida and multiple other state and federal appellate courts, including intellectual property litigation in the Federal Circuit.

Ms. Pabian regularly works closely with trial lawyers from the outset of a case, utilizing her appellate knowledge to identify and analyze important legal issues arising during the litigation and ensure that the trial record is developed in a manner that maximizes our clients’ chances of prevailing in the event of an appeal. She is also often brought into complex cases at the trial level to draft dispositive motions and memoranda of law and assist in the development of litigation strategy.

Additionally, Ms. Pabian maintains an active pro bono practice. She has represented clients in a range of matters, including immigration and asylum cases, cases pursuant to the Hague Convention, and appellate matters in federal and state courts.

Ms. Pabian also serves as the Public and Charitable Service partner for Holland & Knight’s Miami office, where she oversees and coordinates the office’s intake of pro bono legal matters and community service projects.

Ms. Pabian is also an adjunct professor at the St. Thomas University School of Law in Miami, where she teaches appellate advocacy.

Rebecca M. Plasencia, Esq.
Partner
Holland & Knight LLP

Rebecca M. Plasencia is an attorney in Holland & Knight’s Appellate and Litigation Practice Groups. Her practice areas include appeals, complex commercial litigation, product liability and creditors’ rights. Since joining Holland & Knight’s Appellate Team, Ms. Plasencia has argued appeals in the Florida District Courts of Appeal and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. Ms. Plasencia has also worked on numerous appeals before the Florida Supreme Court, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and U.S. Supreme Court. She has also litigated cases in state and federal courts and worked on several arbitration disputes.

In her commercial litigation practice, Ms. Plasencia has defended hotels in consumer class actions arising from the imposition of automatic gratuities and service charges at restaurants. Ms. Plasencia also represents financial institutions and law firms in cases alleging a variety of tort claims, including aiding and abetting fraud, aiding and abetting breach of fiduciary duty, and conspiracy. She has also represented a wide range of clients in claims arising from employment agreements, including obtaining emergency injunctions to prevent dissemination of trade secrets.

Ms. Plasencia routinely assists trial lawyers from the inception of a case, using her appellate knowledge to ensure that legal issues arising during the course of litigation are well-positioned for a favorable outcome, both at the trial and appellate levels. Ms. Plasencia has extensive experience in litigating nuanced jurisdictional and venue issues, including forum non conveniens motions and motions to compel arbitration. She also assists in litigation matters that arise after appeal, including postjudgment execution and enforcement of creditors’ rights.

Before entering private practice, Ms. Plasencia served as a law clerk to the Honorable Paul C. Huck of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, from August 2004 to September 2005. While at the University of Miami School of Law, Ms. Plasencia was a member of the University of Miami Law Review and the Moot Court Board. As a Moot Court Board member, Ms. Plasencia participated in numerous competitions and received the Best Oral Advocate Award for her participation in the Advanced Moot Court Competition in 2002. Ms. Plasencia interned for the Honorable Rodolfo Sorondo Jr., at the Florida Third District Court of Appeal and served as a Constitutional Law Dean’s fellow to Professor Keith Rosenn at the University of Miami School of Law. She also interned at the Florida Office of the Attorney General, Criminal Appeals Division, during which time she argued several cases before the Florida Third District Court of Appeal.

Alyssa M. Reiter, Esq.
Partner
Wicker Smith

Alyssa Reiter is a partner at the Wicker Smith Fort Lauderdale office where she focuses her practice primarily on handling appeals, litigation support, and insurance coverage matters.

In a career spanning over 30 years, Alyssa has handled over 100 appeals and is counsel of record in dozens of reported opinions. She has represented clients in a wide range of cases, including products liability, professional malpractice, commercial litigation, insurance coverage and bad faith, vehicular accident, premises liability, and aviation. She has argued cases in the Florida Supreme Court, the Illinois Supreme Court, the 11th Circuit and the 7th Circuit, and numerous appellate courts throughout not only Florida and Illinois but the entire United States.

After the first 10 years of her practice in Florida, Alyssa moved to Chicago, Illinois. There, she headed the appellate department of a prominent litigation firm for many years. She achieved leadership roles in the Appellate Lawyers Association, being one of the only members to be asked to serve on the Board of Directors for three different terms. Alyssa was selected by her peers as a Leading Lawyer and a Super Lawyer in the field of civil appeals. In 2015, Alyssa was ranked #6 in the state of Illinois for women civil appellate lawyers. Alyssa also has earned an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the highest rating awarded by that organization.

Alyssa has been a speaker at numerous Continuing Legal Education seminars, primarily on legal writing. She co-authored a chapter of an Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education book on product liability. For several years she also was one of three civil appeals lawyers the Illinois State Bar Association selected to write summaries of Illinois Supreme Court opinions for an ISBA publication.

Alyssa earned her Bachelor of Arts degree, with honors, from the University of South Florida in 1984 and then earned her Juris Doctor degree from the University of Florida in 1987, graduating cum laude and Order of the Coif.

Julissa Rodriguez, Esq.
Partner
Shutts & Bowen LLP

 Julissa Rodriguez is a partner in the Miami office of Shutts & Bowen, where she is a member of the Appellate Practice Group. She is Board Certified in Appellate Practice by The Florida Bar.

Julie focuses her practice on appellate litigation and trial support during all stages of litigation, which includes pre-trial motion practice, jury instructions, post-trial motion practice and proceedings supplementary. She also advises clients on securing stays of orders or judgments while a case is pending on appeal. Julie has over 17 years of experience representing clients in both state and federal courts in a variety of areas of law, including products liability, class action defense, business and tort litigation, real estate litigation, insurance disputes and employment litigation.

Before joining Shutts, Julie practiced appeals at an international law firm, where she chaired the firm’s Miami Appellate Department. Her appellate experience also includes serving as a judicial law clerk for Judge Rodolfo Sorondo, Jr., at the Third District Court of Appeal of Florida.

Elaine D. Walter, Esq.
Partner
Kula & Associates, P.A.

Elaine D. Walter is Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Appellate Practice. She has over 20 years of experience in appeals and trial support. Elaine’s practice includes appearing in the Florida Supreme Court, all six of Florida’s District Courts of Appeal. Circuit appellate appearances, and the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court.

Elaine is the current president of the Florida Defense Lawyers Association, the immediate past chair of the Appellate Court Rules Committee, and the current treasurer for the Appellate Practice Section of The Florida Bar. She is also involved in the Miami-Dade Bar and was a long-term chair of its appellate courts committee.

Arturo Ayala
Vice President/Appeal Bond Specialist
Court Surety Bond Agency

Mr. Ayala is an appeal bond specialist with Court Surety Agency (CSBA), a national leader of cilvil appellate bonds. He has been involved with the underwriting and issuing of appeal bonds for civil cases throughout the country for clients ranging from individuals needing a small appeal bond to publicly traded international companies in need of multi-million dollar bonds. He works intimately with each client and their attorneys to help evaluate potential collateral options and negotiates competitive terms for clients with surety companies.

Mr. Ayala is a graduate of California State University, Fullerton where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance. He started with CSBA in 2000 in a clerical position while completing his studies. Since then, he’s taken on various roles within the company, and has co-lead Court Surety Bond Agency since 2011 overseeing the underwriting, processing and issuance of all our appeal bonds throughout the country.

Fees

Fees & Format Options – Live Webinar

🎯 Early Bird Rate Deadline: Save $50 through January 30, 2026
Discount applied automatically at checkout.

🎓 Registration Fees (Per Person)

💼 Standard Individual Registration

• Standard Rate: $429
• Early Bird Rate: $379*

👥 Group Rate (2+ from same firm/agency)

• Standard Group Rate: $404 per person
• Early Bird Group Rate: $354 per person*
  All attendees must pre-register together.

🏛️ Government / Legal Aid Attorneys**

• Standard Rate: $380
• Early Bird Rate: $330*

📚 Law Students / Paralegals*

• Standard Rate: $240
• Early Bird Rate: $190*

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📩 Program Materials & Access

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