Over approximately the last 10 years, the Appellate Division, First Department, under the guidance and direction of Presiding Justice Rolando T. Acosta has developed a unique and forward-looking procedure—the pre-argument conference, that has had the effect of not only improving productivity at the court but at the same time has empowered and prepared judges to be even more laser-focused participants in the upcoming oral arguments at the Appellate Division, First Department. It is a procedure that any appellate court—especially an intermediate appellate court with a huge inventory of appeals might want to consider.

Most appellate lawyers especially those that are familiar with the procedures and practices at the Appellate Division, First Department know that when their appeal is argued before the court, and oral arguments are concluded for that day, the panels comprised of five justices, gather in conference to vote on the appeals that come before the court that afternoon.