Shannon McLin Carlyle

Your Lawyer’s Lawyer

Appellate law is complex. It is an elite area of practice that requires experienced appellate counsel. Countless and common pitfalls can hopelessly entangle or bar a party from ever being able to pursue a necessary appeal. Shannon McLin Carlyle is an expert in appellate law—one of only 195 lawyers who have earned Florida Bar board certification in appellate practice. She is the founding partner of Florida Appeals, a boutique appellate law firm based in Orlando.

During her first legal research and writing class, Carlyle immediately knew she wanted to practice appellate law. After graduation, she served as an appellate law clerk at Florida’s Fifth District Court of Appeal. During her four years there, she was afforded an insider’s education on the expectations of Florida’s appellate courts. In 1997, she left the court to be a stay-at-home mom, but her love of appellate law kept calling her. What began in a 4 by 8-foot space behind a curtain in her family room grew into The Carlyle Appellate Law Firm, a seven-lawyer firm with multiple offices. During her 21-year tenure at the firm, she built a resume that is expressive of her passion for appellate law and the clients she represents. Carlyle has worked hard to earn numerous legal accolades. She was named to the lists of Florida Trend magazine’s Florida Legal Elite in appellate practice in 2005 – 2013 and 2014 – 2019. She has been named to the Florida Super Lawyer lists in appellate practice from 2006 to 2019, and was honored to be among the Florida Super Lawyers’ list of Florida’s Top 50 Women Lawyers in 2011.

After more than 20 years of growing and grooming The Carlyle Appellate Law Firm, Carlyle was ready for a new endeavor, and Florida Appeals was born. Based in Orlando with lawyers and support staff across the country, Florida Appeals is an experienced team of appellate professionals including two retired appellate judges, William D. Palmer and Earle W. Petersen, Jr. Rounding out the firm are attorneys Kelly L. Rooth in Tampa, Coyla J. O’Connor in New Smyrna Beach, and Melissa Alagna in Miami, all who are former appellate law clerks.

The lawyers of Florida Appeals strive to provide excellent representation by combining their knowledge and experience, carefully crafting strong appellate arguments and sitting second chair at trial to help ensure that issues are preserved for appeal. Trial lawyers bring Carlyle and her team on board during litigation when they believe appeals are imminent.

“One of my favorite aspects of practicing appellate law is having the opportunity to work with some of the best lawyers in Florida on complex legal questions,” said Carlyle. “The comradery of becoming part of their team and working together to assist our mutual clients is truly satisfying.”

Through her many years of experience, Carlyle has solidified her reputation as “the lawyer’s lawyer.” Learn more about her experienced team of appellate attorneys at FloridaAppeals.com.