Oral Arguments
Rules, norms, and tips for arguing a motion before a judge; and tips for preparing for an oral argument.
Tips for Persuasive Writing
How to write a brief persuasively, including achieving the right tone, style, and language. Also includes how to present your facts effectively and target your audience.
Motions to Dismiss: Strategies for 12(b)(6) Briefing
An advanced discussion of motions to dismiss for failure to state a claim (in state or federal court), including planning your motion, developing your arguments, and procedural tips—whether you're the moving or opposing party.
Summary Judgment Briefing Strategies
An advanced strategic discussion of summary judgment motions, whether you’re the moving or opposing party—including deciding whether to move, choosing your arguments, and presenting the facts.
Argument Section of a Brief
Structuring the argument, ways to present and argue legal authorities, tips for integrating facts and legal argument, and other drafting strategies.
Facts Section of a Brief
Presenting the facts of the case in a clear and persuasive way, including selecting which facts to include, organization, and addressing “bad facts.”
Preliminary Statement in a Brief
How to draft an engaging, effective preliminary statement, including what to include and how to make it persuasive.
Citations and Bluebooking
Checklist for substantive review of legal authorities in a brief, format of legal and record citations, common mistakes, and when in the drafting process to prevent errors.
Opposition Briefs
How to approach writing an opposition brief, including things to look for in the opening brief, planning your arguments, structuring the brief, and strategies for drafting effectively.
Reply Briefs
How to approach drafting a reply brief, including goals, choosing what to argue, and drafting the introduction and argument sections.
Appellate Briefs
How to approach drafting an appellate brief, including choosing and preparing your arguments, tips for drafting your facts and argument sections, procedure, and how appellate briefs differ from lower court briefs.
Supporting Motion Papers
Discussion of supporting documents that may be filed with a brief. Covers the notice of motion, proposed order, declarations and affidavits, exhibits, motions to seal, and proof of service. Provides drafting tips and rules, as well as guidance on how to avoid a last-minute scramble with numbering your exhibits.
Discovery Motions
Strategies and procedure for motions to compel, opposing motions to compel, and motions for a protective order. Discusses pre-filing requirements, drafting considerations, argument tips, and exhibits to include.
Preliminary Injunctions and TROs
Strategic considerations, when TROs and PIs are used, the legal standard, procedure and moving papers, and litigating a preliminary injunction.
Motions to Amend Pleadings
Developing arguments both supporting and opposing motions for leave to amend, including a discussion of the various grounds for denial. Rules, procedure, and the legal standard.
Virtual Court Appearances
Best practices for appearing before a judge virtually, and how best to prepare.