The rules of appellate procedure require a party to state the issues for review on appeal, but also require an appellant to provide arguments setting forth “the contentions of the appellant with respect to the issues presented, and the reasons therefor, including the reasons why the contentions require appellate relief.” TENN. R. APP. P. 27(a)(7).
What happens if an issue is raised but not properly briefed? Mikhail v. Mikhail, No. M2021-00500-COA-R3-CV, at *6 (Tenn. Ct. App. June 7, 2023) gives us the answer: it may be considered waived by the appeal court. Mikhail reminds us that “‘[a]n issue may be deemed waived, even when it has been specifically raised as an issue, when the brief fails to include an argument satisfying the requirements of Tenn. R. App. P. 27(a)(7).’ Hodge v. Craig, 382 S.W.3d 325, 335 (Tenn. 2012).”
Before filing a brief in the appellate court, check to ensure that you have adequately briefed all issues you raised (and responded to all issues raised by your opponent).