Happy Summer! We asked BigLaw summer associates now bound for clerkships which Legal Writing Pro and BriefCatch resources they wish they had when they were summers. Their top suggestions became this flipbook. It starts with teasers for popular articles that might interest you (click anywhere for the link). You'll then find longer pieces from my Attorney Toolkit, my contract drafting guide, and various other published articles. Enjoy!
Eight Ways to Write a Superb Brief
Based on Kannon Shanmugam's merits brief in Walker v. United States
Ross Guberman Founder & CEO | BriefCatch | Legal Writing Pro
Craft your Table of Contents as a logical syllogism
Each level of heading or subheading should function as a syllogism that proves a broader point. If subheadings 1, 2, and 3 are all true, then heading A must be true.
BriefCatch | briefcatch.com
Handpick nouns and verbs to frame your client's story
In introducing your client, choose words that put your position in the best light. Subtle narrative choices make the petitioner relatable while subordinating bad facts to weaker parts of the sentences.
BriefCatch | briefcatch.com
Favor short words and smooth transitions
That blockbuster 98/100 BriefCatch "Crisp and Punchy" score is no accident. Favor short words like "can" and "but" and transitions like "In so doing" to take the reader on a smoother, faster ride.
BriefCatch | briefcatch.com
Make examples build up to the actual fact pattern
Examples are priceless — but only if the court can see the link without having to work. Build from the hypothetical to the case at hand so the reader naturally arrives at your conclusion.
BriefCatch | briefcatch.com
Quote language as only a means to an end
Sprinkle in short quoted snippets that let your own points and facts dominate. Don't let block quotes do the heavy lifting — weave authority into your narrative.
BriefCatch | briefcatch.com
Build logical bridges between paragraphs
Frontload a new paragraph with a point the reader will remember from the end of the previous paragraph. This creates seamless flow and keeps the reader oriented.
BriefCatch | briefcatch.com
Foreground what happens if you lose
Use the "Why Should I Care?" technique from Point Made: show the court the real-world consequences of ruling against you. But merely predict the result — don't warn of slippery slopes.
BriefCatch | briefcatch.com
Keep it classy — fight for principles, not against courts
Feel the subtle difference between "That was mistaken" and "The Court was mistaken." Depersonalize your disagreements and focus on the reasoning, not the institution.
BriefCatch | briefcatch.com
Vary your sentence structure
BONUS
Shake loose from this pattern: "Someone noted/observed/stated that . . . ." BriefCatch could have helped even this rockstar brief in that regard.
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