Trish Weaver
Maryland
Lerch, Early & Brewer, Chtd.
7600 Wisconsin Avenue
Suite 700
Bethesda, MD 20814
Tel: 301-841-2433
Email:
tweaver@lerchearly.com
Web:
www.lerchearly.com
Trish Weaver is a highly experienced appellate and commercial litigation attorney representing businesses and individuals throughout Maryland and the District of Columbia. With more than 25 years of experience, she maintains a broad litigation practice encompassing appellate matters, complex commercial disputes, and estates and trusts litigation. She is known for combining strategic advocacy with a practical approach focused on understanding her clients’ broader business and personal objectives.
Appellate advocacy is a significant component of Trish’s practice. She has handled numerous appeals, authored appellate briefs, and presented oral arguments before the Maryland Supreme Court, the Appellate Court of Maryland, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. Her appellate experience also extends to other federal circuits, and she is admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court. She has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America for both Appellate Practice and Commercial Litigation since 2016.
Trish’s trial-level practice spans a wide range of civil disputes, with particular experience in complex commercial and estate litigation. She represents clients in contract and business disputes, sophisticated estates and trusts matters, and other significant civil litigation in state and federal courts. She has also represented physicians, psychologists, and attorneys in proceedings before professional disciplinary boards.
In addition to representing clients when disputes arise, Trish places considerable emphasis on preventing litigation where possible. She maintains an active alternative dispute resolution practice, serving as a mediator through both court appointments and private engagements. She has written on the advantages of mediation in resolving business and other disputes and regularly draws on her litigation experience to help parties pursue effective negotiated resolutions.
A respected leader in her field, Trish previously chaired the Litigation, Appellate, Alternative Dispute Resolution, and Professional Ethics & Discipline practices at Paley Rothman.
Appellate advocacy differs from trial work. At trial, an advocate tries to persuade a judge or jury to believe one witness instead of another one and argues that his or her client’s evidence is stronger than the evidence relied upon by the opposing party. The appellate lawyer, on the other hand, focuses on the record created in the trial court and whether the trial court committed legal error.
Success on appeal depends on different skills than those used at trial. Impassioned arguments that may move jurors generally fall on deaf ears when presented to an appellate court.
At Lerch Early, we have a number of lawyers who possess the skills necessary for effective appellate advocacy along with the skills needed for successful trial advocacy. Lerch, Early’s appellate lawyers thrive on the critical thinking and analysis that are integral aspects of appellate work. Our lawyers are committed to:
- A thorough review of the trial record
- Comprehensive research of the legal issues involved and a critical analysis of those issues
- Crisp, clear, and persuasive writing
- The preparation and delivery of persuasive oral argument.
Our appellate lawyers regularly pursue and defend appeals at all levels of state and federal courts, including the Maryland Supreme Court, the Appellate Court of Maryland, the District of Columbia Court of Appeals, and the United States Courts of Appeal for the Fourth and District of Columbia Circuits.
The appellate group works with other lawyers in the litigation group as well as with lawyers in the firm’s other practices, including the corporate, family and land use practices. We work with those lawyers not just when the case is already on appeal, but we assist them in assuring that issues have been properly raised and preserved at the trial level for eventual appellate review. We also handle appeals for lawyers from other firms who litigated at trial, but who are looking for other counsel to handle the appeal.
We are known for creative and practical advice that guides our clients to sound, informed decisions. With 75 lawyers and 75 years of experience, we can help you rise to every challenge.
“Known for her strength in appellate advocacy, Trish has argued before Maryland’s highest courts and the U.S. Court of Appeals. Her ability to distill complex records into clear, persuasive arguments has earned her a strong reputation in appeals involving significant commercial and civil issues.”