The distinction between an order that is not appealable and a judgment that is appealable can be blurred, especially when an order granting summary judgment is involved. A recent appellate decision, Davis v. Superior Court, demonstrates the potential pitfalls, including failure to file a timely notice of appeal.

In his article, "Masquerade: Identifying the Genuine Judgment," Gary Watt uses the Davis decision to shed some light on this gray area, pointing out rules to help lawyers identify orders and judgments triggering the running of time to appeal.

Gary frequently blogs about appellate issues at www.caappellatelaw.com. 

This article was originally published in the Daily Journal and subscription-based Daily Journal website at www.dailyjournal.com.