Our Firm

Overview

The Carlyle Appellate Law Firm was founded in 1997, and we are proud to be a statewide leader in the practice of appellate law for over twenty years.

The Firm has four appellate lawyers who practice statewide. We have three physical offices to serve you; one in downtown Orlando, one near the Fifth District Court of Appeal in Daytona Beach, and one in Lake County. Our appellate lawyers vigorously represent clients in appeals to all five 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. We pride ourselves in keeping our clients closely informed of developments throughout the process.

Attorneys Chris Carlyle (2006) and John Bogdanoff (2016) are Board Certified by the Florida Bar in appellate practice. Certification requires years of experience handling appellate cases, a background investigation of competence and professionalism, extensive legal education in the area of appellate practice, and a rigorous examination. Of the roughly 100,000 lawyers in Florida, 184 are currently Board Certified in Appellate Practice.

Chris Carlyle has extensive involvement in appellate practice on a statewide level. He is a former chair of the Appellate Practice Section of the Florida Bar, served on the Florida Bar’s Appellate Court Rules Committee for six years, and presently serves as vice-chair of the Florida Bar’s Appellate Practice Certification Committee. Mr. Carlyle has written and lectured extensively on all areas of appellate practice.

The Carlyle Appellate Law Firm is honored to have former appellate judge, David A. Monaco, working in an of counsel capacity with the Firm. David A. Monaco was appointed to the Fifth District Court of Appeal in 2003 where he served until 2012. In addition, Mr. Monaco served as Chief Judge of the Fifth District from 2009-2011. He also served as Chairman of the District Court of Appeal Budget Commission, as well as the Chairman of the Conference of District Court of Appeal Judges. Judge Monaco brings a wealth of experience to assure our clients have the best chance of success on appeal. The Firm is also proud of the fact that former Fifth District Court of Appeal Judge Gilbert S. Goshorn, Jr., who served on the Court for ten years, was a member of our Firm from the time of his retirement in 2002 until his death in 2011.

John Bogdanoff worked at the Fifth District as a senior attorney for more than twenty-five years, and was proud to serve as a clerk to six different judges during that time. Mr. Bogdanoff’s extensive experience at the court brings a unique perspective to the Firm after having worked closely with various appellate judges through his career.

The Firm is proud to also have two dedicated staff members who are an integral part of what we do, and who contribute greatly to our success. Paula M. Sullivan is a Florida Registered Paralegal who has been with the Firm for over 18 years, and who has extensive experience in appellate matters. Paula A. Hines has worked with the Firm for over 14 years in a variety of positions.

Mission Statement

The Carlyle Appellate Law Firm is an entrepreneurial and dynamic firm composed of lawyer and non-lawyer professionals who strive to give clients the best appellate representation in the State of Florida. We function as a team. We support, trust, and respect each other – both personally and professionally. We adhere to the highest ethical standards in our dealings with each other, with our clients, with the judiciary, with the legal profession, and with our community.