Trial lawyers often must make split-second decisions and judgment calls that do not follow all the procedural steps required to ensure presentation of an issue on appeal. Focusing on the preservation of appellate complaints in federal trial courts, this book helps civil trial and civil appellate lawyers take the right steps to ensure preservation of appellate complaints.

This guide sets out the rules for preserving complaints on appeal, beginning with a general approach to preservation rules. Chapters address pre-trial, trial, and post-trial preservation issues, as well as handling objections to a magistrate's ruling or recommendation. The book's focus on opinions from United States courts of appeals with citations from all circuits. Invaluable appendices make this an essential volume for lawyers who need to preserve complaints on appeal. The book includes a checklist of preservation items followed by two important research tools: