Record Designation

Record Designation on Appeal

Drafts a designation identifying all trial court materials to be transmitted to the appellate court, organized for completeness against each appellate issue.

Prerequisites

1. Notice of Appeal — filed and served; appellate case number if assigned
2. Trial court docket — chronological docket with filing dates and entry numbers
3. Case documents — pleadings, motions, orders, jury instructions, verdict forms
4. Trial exhibits — exhibit numbers, descriptions, and admission status
5. Hearing/trial dates — dates, judges, subject matter, witness lists
6. Appellate issues — identified errors or rulings being challenged
7. Applicable rules — jurisdiction-specific deadlines and format requirements
8. Party role — appellant (initial designation) or appellee (counter-designation)

Output Structure

1. Caption

2. Organization

Choose based on case complexity:

• Chronological — simple cases; all items by filing/occurrence date
• Categorical — complex cases; group by type with chronological sub-ordering

3. Foundational Documents

• Notice of Appeal
• Final judgment or appealable order
• Post-judgment motions (JNOV, new trial, reconsideration)

For each item: exact docket title, filing date, docket entry number.

4. Pleadings

• Complaint/petition (and amendments)
• Answers, responsive pleadings
• Counterclaims, cross-claims (if relevant to appellate issues)

5. Motions & Briefing

For each challenged ruling, designate the complete motion package:

6. Transcripts

Format each designation:

Transcript of [Proceeding Type] held on [Date],
before Judge [Name], regarding [Subject Matter].
[If partial]: Limited to: (1) testimony of [Witness];
(2) sidebar conference at p. [X] regarding Exhibit [Y];
(3) [other specific portions].

Identify by: date, proceeding type, judge, subject matter, witnesses, exhibit discussions. Err toward completeness — omitted portions cannot be reviewed on appeal.

7. Exhibits

Format each entry:

[Party]'s Exhibit [No.]: [Description], dated [Date] — [Admitted/Excluded/Limited Purpose]

• Use trial numbering/lettering system
• Designate specific pages/sections for voluminous exhibits if only portions are relevant, but include full exhibit when context matters

8. Orders & Rulings

• Interlocutory orders on dispositive motions
• Discovery rulings affecting available evidence
• Evidentiary rulings (in limine, trial objections)
• Directed verdict / JMOL rulings
• Jury instructions — given AND refused
• Special verdict forms
• Post-trial motion orders

9. Counter-Designation Additions (Appellee Only)

When drafting a counter-designation, also include:

• Direct examination context for appellant's cross-exam excerpts
• Colloquy showing court's reasoning or party concessions
• Evidence supporting affirmance / substantial evidence for findings
• Record showing opponent's failure to preserve issues
• Statement re cost responsibility for additional materials

10. Closing Components

Guidelines

• Deadlines are often jurisdictional — verify filing window (typically 10–30 days post-notice for appellant; shorter for counter-designation) [VERIFY for jurisdiction]
• Cross-reference against appellate issues — every challenged ruling must have its complete supporting record designated
• Incomplete designation risk — materials not designated may be permanently excluded from appellate review
• Partial transcript caution — if appellant designates less than full transcript, appellee may designate additional portions at appellant's cost
• Format compliance — check local rules for required organization, numbering, and filing method
• When in doubt, include it — over-designation costs money; under-designation loses issues