Criminal Appeals
- Direct appeals from criminal convictions
- Post-conviction relief and habeas corpus
- Sentencing appeals
- Fourth Circuit criminal appeals
- Virginia Court of Appeals and Virginia Supreme Court
- Federal district court appeals

Alexandria · Appeals
Appellate Advocacy in Virginia and the Fourth Circuit
When the trial court gets it wrong, we take it further.
Our Approach
The Eastern District of Virginia, Alexandria Division, feeds directly into the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond — one of the most active federal appellate courts in the country. An adverse ruling in Alexandria federal court is not the end of the road, but the appellate process in the Fourth Circuit is demanding: strict briefing deadlines, rigorous standards of review, and a court that moves quickly.
Greenberg Costle & Bradley handles criminal and civil appeals from Alexandria Circuit Court, the Eastern District of Virginia, and the Fourth Circuit. We take on appeals in cases tried by other counsel as well as our own matters, and we bring the same strategic discipline and strong appellate writing to every case. Our attorneys have argued before the Virginia Court of Appeals, the Virginia Supreme Court, and the Fourth Circuit.

What We Handle
Our Philosophy
Effective appellate advocacy in the Fourth Circuit requires identifying the strongest legal issues in the record, crafting briefs that are both persuasive and grounded in the specific facts of the case, and presenting focused oral arguments that give the panel a clear path to reversal. We do not take every possible issue on appeal — we identify the arguments most likely to succeed and pursue them with precision.
Every client who retains Greenberg Costle & Bradley works directly with a named partner. We do not hand cases off to junior associates. We do not process volume. We focus on the cases that matter — and we give them the attention they deserve.
Why Choose Us
✓ Experience arguing before the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond
✓ Established presence in the Eastern District of Virginia, Alexandria Division
✓ Strong appellate writing — persuasive briefs grounded in the record
✓ Strategic issue selection to maximize the chances of reversal
✓ Honest assessment of appellate prospects before you commit to an appeal
Common Questions
Appeals from Alexandria Circuit Court in criminal cases go to the Virginia Court of Appeals, and from there to the Virginia Supreme Court. Appeals from the Eastern District of Virginia, Alexandria Division go to the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond. Our attorneys are experienced in both the state and federal appellate systems.
In Virginia criminal cases, a notice of appeal must generally be filed within 30 days of the final order. In federal cases from the Eastern District of Virginia, the deadline is also typically 30 days for civil matters and 14 days for criminal matters. Missing the deadline can forfeit your right to appeal entirely.
The Fourth Circuit is known for rigorous briefing requirements, strict page limits, and a bench that is well-prepared and asks probing questions at oral argument. The court also has a significant volume of national security and government contractor cases given its jurisdiction over Virginia, Maryland, and the Washington, D.C. area. Effective Fourth Circuit advocacy requires careful preparation and precise legal writing.
Yes. We regularly handle appeals in cases tried by other counsel. Fresh appellate counsel often has an advantage — we review the record without the assumptions that trial counsel may carry, and we are better positioned to identify the strongest issues objectively. This is particularly valuable in complex Eastern District of Virginia matters.
Related Practice Areas
Contact Greenberg Costle & Bradley today. Your consultation will be conducted by a named partner — not a paralegal or intake specialist.