Heavy Hitters

The "Heavy Hitters" get ready for round 2. The Syracuse law firm of Alexander and Catalano says the New York Attorney General's office has indicated it will appeal yesterday's Federal Court ruling that declared limits on attorney advertising unconstitutional.

If the state moves ahead with the appeal, it can argue its case before a higher judge. The state cannot enter any new evidence into consideration during the appeals process.

"It's what I think of as a second bite at the apple. They didn't get the decision they wanted the first time, so what do they have to lose by trying a second time," says James Alexander of Alexander and Catalano. He says he believes the Federal Court's decision was appropriate and the firm will defend the court's ruling during an appeal.

The firm was part of a group that filed the initial lawsuit after state rules were passed that would have prevented it from using its popular nickname, the "Heavy Hitters," and certain themes from its ads.

Alexander says the appeals process is notoriously slow and will likely take over a year to complete.