Shannon McLin

Florida Appeals has the experience to handle any appellate matter. The firm has represented clients in all five district courts of appeal in the State of Florida, as well as the Supreme Court of Florida.

In addition, we have represented clients in the Federal Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals, as well as the Supreme Court of the United States. We have dealt with an extremely wide variety of cases, from complex commercial matters to constitutional issues involving family law and property rights, to a wide number of cases representing plaintiffs in numerous contexts. Our firm is made up of former appellate judges, a board-certified appellate lawyer, and former law clerks at both the state and federal appellate level.

Whatever your needs, be it taking an appeal, a petition for an extraordinary writ, or defending an appeal, Florida Appeals has the attorneys and experience to successfully guide you through the process.

Florida Appeals was founded by Shannon McLin in 2019 after practicing at the firm she founded in 1997, The Carlyle Appellate Law Firm. We provide comprehensive, high-quality appellate and litigation-support services to trial lawyers and their clients throughout Florida. We believe that success at any level of litigation starts with thorough research, clear and concise writing, and well-reasoned legal analysis. Advocates who rely primarily on the law have as big a role as advocates who present the case to the fact-finder. The most effective trial teams feature both kinds, each playing to their respective strengths for the client’s benefit.

In addition to trial support services, our appellate lawyers represent clients in appeals to all six of Florida’s district courts of appeal, the Supreme Court of Florida, the United States Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit Court, and the Supreme Court of the United States.

Florida Appeals is honored to have two former appellate judges on board in an of counsel capacity who bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to assist in representing clients who find themselves on either side of a controversy. Earle W. Peterson, Jr. was appointed to the Fifth District Court of Appeal in 1990 where he served with distinction until his retirement in December 2005. Additionally, during his tenure at the Fifth District, he served as Chief Judge from 1995-1997. William D. Palmer was appointed to the Fifth District Court of Appeal in 2000 where he served until 2018. In addition, Mr. Palmer served as Chief Judge of the Fifth District from 2007-2009. He also served as Chairman of the Conference of District Court of Appeal Judges, the Florida Supreme Court Alternative Dispute Resolution Rules and Policies Committee, the Florida Bar’s Appellate Certification Committee and Judicial Nomination Procedures Committee, the Ninth Circuit Grievance Committee, and the Ninth Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission. Together, they bring more than 70 years of experience as legal practitioners and more than 30 years as trial and appellate judges and have assisted Florida Appeals in appellate matters since its inception. Their participation in mock oral arguments to prepare attorneys for appearance before appellate panels of appellate judges have been especially helpful.

We also are proud to have three former appellate law clerks work with the Firm. Attorney Shannon McLin was a law clerk for the Honorable Gilbert S. Goshorn, Jr. from 1993-1997. Following his retirement, Mr. Goshorn worked with Shannon at The Appellate Law Firm until his passing in 2011. Other members of our team include Thomas Sculco, Robert Scavone Jr, Marelize Dingman and Keisha Allen. These attorneys bring a unique perspective to the Firm after having worked closely with various appellate judges during their careers.