Panel talk, law and art, Stanford Law School, October 2024 (SLS 99).
2026 Update
Appellate legal writing for law firms
Stanford Law, federal appellate clerkship, Am Law 100-level appellate briefs and trial motions at negotiable freelance hourly or flat fee pricing.
Scroll down for testimonials, repeat business, and credentials.
Why do I freelance?
I left the full-time practice of law when I unexpectedly became a gallery-represented conceptual artist in 2017.
2026 Negotiable Rates / flat fees
Negotiable hourly rate: $245 / hour.
Negotiable flat fees — see directly below.
Let’s make it work to fit your budget and needs.
(207) 699-9957 | adam.daley.wilson@gmail.com
A. Strategy / Support for your own brief
1. Strategy / consulting / sounding board for your brief -- est. 750.
2. Polish your brief – 1250.
3. Revise / supplement your brief --- 1750.
4. Prep you for oral argument --- 750.
5. Review trial record for appeal options --- 750.
B. Opening / Response Briefs / key Motions
1. Appellate Opening / Response --- 12500
2. MSJ / Opposition to MSJ --- 12500
3. Motion to Dismiss / Demurrer --- 5500.
4. Daubert / expert / SLAPP --- 6750.
5. Opposition to Cert Petition --- 5500.
C. Reply briefs / post-trial / post-appeal
1. Reply briefs for appeals and MSJs -- 3250
2. Post-appeal motions / rehearing en banc --- 3750.
3. Post-trial motions --- 3250.
4. Major motion in limine / bet-the-farm trial motion --- 3750.
5. Something else? Let’s discuss and make it work.
recent Testimonials / repeat business
“You’re like the MVP who helps get us to the playoffs every time.” — Founder of Los Angeles boutique litigation firm; repeat work for this firm for five years.
“Stellar” — Partner at Los Angeles boutique litigation firm re a Ninth Circuit brief on corporate law issues. Repeat work.
“Excellent work and very cool to work with.” — Partner / founder at Los Angeles boutique litigation firm; four repeat summary judgment motions. For years of repeat work.
“I keep calling you and using your briefs with virtually no changes, what higher compliment is there?” Senior partner at San Francisco complex litigation and class action firm. Two years of repeat work.
“Adam is an all-star.” —- Partner at a Southern California litigation firm; three summary judgment projects in the past year.
“I love working with you and am sending another summary judgment project this week.” —- Partner and founder of a boutique litigation firm in Los Angeles, California. Three years of repeat work.
CREDENTIALS
Licensed in California (1999), the District of Columbia (2001), and Maine (2009).
J.D., Stanford Law, 1999. Law Review. Moot Court.
B.A., University of Pennsylvania, 1994.
Clerkship, The Hon. Franklin S. Van Antwerpen, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, 2004-2006.
Decade in private practice at top Am Law 100 firms including Gibson Dunn (SF office) and Crowell Moring (DC office).
Practice areas at those firms:
Appellate, Antitrust Litigation, Soft Intellectual Property, Constitutional Law, First Amendment, United States Supreme Court (Certiorari Petitions, Amicus Briefs, Merits Briefs), Lawyer professional responsibility, Lawyer and law firm legal ethics (under partner who was former assistant Washington, D.C. bar counsel), International antitrust price-fixing cartels, US DOJ antitrust criminal investigations, Corporate internal investigations, White collar crime, Multi-District Litigation (MDL Litigation).
recent Examples
Successful opposition to Petition for Writ of Certiorari, U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS), on intellectual property / copyright issues.
Successful opposition to motion for summary judgment re financial contract issues, California state law.
Ninth Circuit appeal on SLAPP / Anti-SLAPP issues under California state law.
Two successful summary judgment oppositions on tort and causation issues.
State supreme court briefing on issues of first impression under state law including attorney-client privilege, attorney-client conflicts of interest, breaches of fiduciary duties by lawyers; rules of professional responsibility; legal malpractice; legal ethics in the context of torts.
Federal district court complaint: RICO enterprise and conspiracy (18 U.S.C. 1962(c), (d)); civil rights violations (42 U.S.C. 1983, 1985(3), 1986); conspiracy against rights (18 U.S.C. 241); interference with Fourteenth Amendment rights and federal and state civil rights.
Federal motions practice: For a New York City litigation boutique: Motion for reconsideration involving personal jurisdiction, subject matter jurisdiction, and the Rooker Feldman doctrine.
Why do i freelance?
I left full-time private practice when I unexpectedly became a gallery-represented conceptual artist in 2017.
My first two solo shows were selected as ‘Must See’ in Chicago by Artforum Magazine.
Additional favorable international art press including in Mousse Magazine (Italy).
The gallery, Engage Projects, located in Chicago, represents about 20 conceptual artists from seven countries.
Update 2025 — public art as part of the 2025 EXPO Chicago International Art Fair.
Some more Testimonials
“I trust your writing and I trust the way you think.” — Silicon Valley solo practitioner formerly from Biglaw. Repeat work including recent Ninth Circuit brief re corporate and transactional issues.
“We are very happy with the brief and are filing it today.” — Two partners at Philadelphia / New York City intellectual property boutique re a Sixth Circuit brief on contract law and soft IP issues.
“Fantastic again! I trust you 100%. More work coming.” — Las Vegas small firm partner re federal constitutional law matters, Section 1983, and Bivens claims. Five repeat projects and referrals to co-counsel in California.
“Excellent, thanks Adam! And thanks for working with us on pricing. We want to work with you again.” — Partner at same Philadelphia / metro New York media law boutique re a reply brief in the Sixth Circuit.
“Your [federal court] MTD was outstanding, especially on the RICO issues. I’m going to recommend you to all of my friends.” — Philadelphia antitrust class action attorney. Repeat work pending.
“Hey, thanks again. Excellent draft, just what I needed. I’ll be in touch for the next round.” — New York City federal false claims act (qui tam) small firm partner re drafting false claims act complaint.
“Five stars — Adam is efficient and responsive. He is clearly skilled and learned. Very happy for his help on my project.” — Partner at Los Angeles midsize law firm. Repeat work.
“The [two summary judgment] opposition briefs written by Adam were excellent.” — Partner and leading California appellate lawyer.
“I call Adam again and again because he does great work.” — Partner at a New York City boutique IP litigation firm.
“I first called Adam for a brief because of his clerkship. I keep calling him because he knows how to litigate and he’s a great sounding board for strategy on my projects.” — Silicon Valley solo practitioner. Repeat work.
“Adam polishes my motions, writes briefs from scratch, and in some ways serves as an outside senior associate. He gets the big picture fast, and he meets my clients’ budgets.” — California partner at three-partner law firm.
“It was a pleasure working with you and I will be in touch soon [for more brief writing].” Southern California sole practitioner. Repeat work.
“I can’t believe what a great fit you are with my practice. Thank you.” — Silicon Valley IP and business litigator. Six repeat projects.
“Once again your help has been invaluable, and I will have more projects for you [next month].” Partner at small Silicon Valley / Bay Area business litigation boutique.
“Your [motion to dismiss pursuant to Fed. R. 12(b)(6)] in federal court was very, very good” — Pennsylvania / New Jersey complex litigation attorney.
some more Repeat Business Examples
For a Palo Alto / Silicon Valley small law firm, 2021-2022: Pending appeal in California state court (appellee — commercial / business litigation). Repeat work: Successful opposition briefs to demurrer and motion to strike (financial and intellectual property / IP litigation). Asked to advise on litigation strategies.
For a Los Angeles litigation boutique, 2021-2022: Three opposition motions in trusts and estates / probate contexts; two successful, one pending.
For a Los Angeles midsize law firm, 2018-2022: Successful summary judgment opposition brief and separate statement of material facts in California state court (tort claims), 2018. Repeat work: Second successful MSJ opposition memorandum of P&A and SSMF (strict liability), 2019. Asked to advise on case strategies, oral argument prep, and Writs (personal injury / causation), 2021. Addition work: Draft evidentiary objections, deposition analysis, declarations, 2018-2020. Recently called for next projects in federal court, 2022.
For a Las Vegas solo practitioner: Opposition to Rule 12(b)(6) motion to dismiss, 2020; Ninth Circuit Appellant’s brief, 2021; motion for reconsideration and evidentiary motions, 2022.
For a metro New York City law firm: Successful motion to compel in Federal District Court for a qui tam action (Chicago). Repeat work: Draft complaints in Federal District Court for two more whistleblower / False Claims Act actions (Philadelphia). More repeat work: Second motion to compel in Federal District Court (Seattle) for another fraud action. Five additional repeat projects; more repeat work pending.
For a San Francisco / Bay Area small law firm: Successful summary judgment opposition motion (soft IP / trade secrets / copyright) in Federal District Court.
For a Los Angeles midsize law firm: Successful opposition brief in response to motion for summary judgment (commercial real estate claims) in California state court. Repeat work: Second successful MSJ opposition brief (fraud, financial claims). Three additional repeat matters to date including handling overflow motions practice writing.
For a New York City / Manhattan midsize law firm: Draft sections of brief in response to motion for summary judgment in multiparty complex litigation matter (federal statutory claims) in Federal District Court (SDNY).
For a Los Angeles midsize law firm: Opposition memorandum of points and authorities in response to motion for summary judgment (Fourth Amendment) in Federal District Court (Oregon).
For a San Francisco / Bay Area midsize law firm: Complex discovery motion with civil procedure and spoliation issues in Federal District Court for mass tort class action (San Diego); repeat work pending.
For a Palo Alto / Silicon Valley solo practitioner: Draft successful opposition to demurrer and opposition to motion to strike briefs (corporation and LLC disputes); strategy and analysis while polishing other memoranda of points and authorities; multiple repeat projects; continuing.
For a New York City / Manhattan IP boutique, legal research and draft work product regarding alleged copyright infringement in novel / question of first impression social media / fashion context. Repeat work: Legal research and draft work product regarding trademark infringement (Lanham Act) of intellectual property in second fashion context.
For a Los Angeles / Orange County midsize law firm: Case sounding board / strategy / consulting, legal research regarding privilege and waiver, and expert witness analyses under the Arizona Rules of Evidence for matters in Arizona state court and Washington, D.C. (business reputation / defamation and related financial claims with multiple experts). Three projects to date.
For a San Jose / Silicon Valley midsize law firm: Intellectual property (IP) legal research and writing (memorandum) on short / rush turnaround for California mediation.
For a Manhattan / New York City environmental boutique law firm: Draft sections of omnibus / consolidated opposition to Rule 12(b)(6) motion to dismiss in Federal District Court (New Jersey) with underlying issues of standing, choice of law, statutory interpretation, statute of limitations, equitable tolling, and fraud.
For a Las Vegas litigation boutique: Rule 12(b)(6) opposition brief (Section 1983 / Section 1985 conspiracy / Bivens / related FTCA claims; potential circuit split on statute of limitation issue) in Federal District Court (Nevada) under Twombly / Iqbal / plausibility standard. Repeat work: Preliminary pretrial statement; pending Ninth Circuit appeal.
For a Philadelphia, Pennsylvania small law firm: Memorandum of points and authorities in opposition to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(6) motion to dismiss also involving Rule 8, Rule 9(b) particularity, and subject matter jurisdiction (SMJ) issues.
For a San Francisco litigation boutique: Draft sections of Ninth Circuit appeal involving statutory interpretation, Erie, and privacy law issues.
For a Southern California litigation boutique: Draft Ninth (9th / CTA9) Circuit brief; pending.
For a Las Vegas solo practitioner: Pending motion to suppress (Fourth Amendment / constitutional criminal procedure issues / admissibility issues under the Federal Rules of Evidence (FRE)).
For a Southern California Firm — draft complaints and causes of action including California’s unfair competition law (UCL) under Business and Professions Code Section 17200 and under California’s Consumer Legal Remedies Act (CLRA) regarding false and deceptive advertising; pending.
For a Las Vegas, Nevada firm: Draft criminal motion to suppress on Fourth (4th) Amendment grounds in criminal trial; separately, draft Ninth (9th / CTA9) brief regarding Section 1983, Bivens, and FTCA common law actions); pending.
For a Maine small law firm: Opposition brief and separate statement of material facts in response to motion for summary judgment under FRCP 56 in Federal District Court (Constitutional law / Fourth Amendment issues); subsequent repeat work.
For a Detroit, Michigan solo practitioner: Opposition brief in response to MSJ (commercial and financial litigation) in Federal District Court (Miami / Florida); subsequent repeat work (contract disputes).
For a San Diego litigator: Draft discovery (requests for admission (RFAs), special interrogatories (Rogs), and requests for production of documents (document requests); serve as strategic sounding board for discovery.
More EXAMPLES
Sixth Circuit Appellant’s brief re copyright / licensing / media issues (successful reversal);
Ninth Circuit Appellant’s brief re commercial / business issues (submitted, pending);
California state court Appellee’s brief re SLAPP / anti-SLAPP / defamation (submitted, pending);
Ninth Circuit Appellant’s brief re federal constitutional law, Section 1983, and FTCA issues (submitted, pending);
Several federal and state court motions for summary judgment ranging from business torts to personal injury claims to class actions practice.
Several Fed. R. 12(b)(6) motions to dismiss ranging from contracts to civil RICO;
Several demurrers in California state court ranging from contracts and business torts to trusts and estates / probate litigation.
Several federal and state court motions for summary judgment ranging from business torts to personal injury claims to class actions practice.
Multiple filings related to the above (motions re class certification and decertification, motions for nonsuit, complex discovery motions, fee petitions, drafts of writs, motions for reconsideration, evidentiary objections, motions in limine, trial briefs, etc.)
Subsequent sounding board re next litigation steps in several matters including soft IP matters (copyright, trade secret, and trademark issues).
Oil on canvas, 80 x 54 in. Group Show, Palm Beach Florida, 2022. Courtesy Engage Projects Gallery Chicago and Arts & Conversations Gallery Palm Beach.
Adam Wilson, Esq.
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