Legal brief writing skill for appellate and motion practice. Use when the user needs assistance with brief structure, legal writing, appellate practice, persuasive writing, or citations. Triggers on keywords like "brief", "appellate", "appeal", "argument", "persuasive writing", "legal writing", "motion brief", "reply brief", "amicus", "oral argument".
This skill provides expert guidance for drafting effective legal briefs for trial and appellate courts.
Core Capabilities
1. Appellate Briefs
Opening briefs
Answering briefs
Reply briefs
Amicus briefs
2. Trial Court Briefs
Motion briefs
Opposition briefs
Trial briefs
Memoranda of law
3. Legal Writing
Persuasive techniques
Organization strategies
Citation practice
Editing and revision
4. Oral Argument
Argument preparation
Moot court practice
Bench presence
Q&A handling
Brief Structure
相关技能
Appellate Brief Components
STANDARD APPELLATE BRIEF STRUCTURE
1. COVER PAGE
- Case caption
- Brief title
- Counsel identification
2. TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Section headings with page numbers
- Descriptive headings
3. TABLE OF AUTHORITIES
- Cases (alphabetical)
- Statutes
- Regulations
- Other authorities
4. JURISDICTIONAL STATEMENT
- Basis for jurisdiction
- Timeliness of appeal
5. STATEMENT OF ISSUES
- Questions presented
- Framed favorably
6. STATEMENT OF THE CASE
- Procedural history
- Statement of facts
7. SUMMARY OF ARGUMENT
- Roadmap for the court
- Key points highlighted
8. ARGUMENT
- Point headings
- Legal analysis
- Application to facts
9. CONCLUSION
- Specific relief requested
10. CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE
- Word/page count
- Format compliance
11. CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
- Service method and parties
12. ADDENDUM (if required)
- Key statutory provisions
- Lower court opinion
Motion Brief Structure
MOTION BRIEF STRUCTURE
1. CAPTION AND TITLE
2. INTRODUCTION (1-2 paragraphs)
- What you want
- Why you should win
- Stakes of the motion
3. STATEMENT OF FACTS
- Relevant facts only
- Record citations
- Favorable framing
4. LEGAL STANDARD
- Applicable test
- Burden of proof
- Key authority
5. ARGUMENT
- Point headings
- IRAC structure
- Authority application
6. CONCLUSION
- Specific relief
7. PROPOSED ORDER (if required)
Statement of Facts
Fact Writing Principles
EFFECTIVE FACT STATEMENTS
DO:
✓ Tell a story
✓ Use concrete details
✓ Cite the record for everything
✓ Front-load favorable facts
✓ Include context
✓ Use active voice
✓ Vary sentence structure
DON'T:
✗ Argue in the facts
✗ Use adjectives/characterizations
✗ Omit unfavorable facts
✗ Use block quotes
✗ Cite evidence not in record
✗ Assume reader knowledge
Record Citations
FORMAT EXAMPLES:
Trial transcript: (Tr. 45:12-15)
Deposition: (Smith Dep. 23:5-10)
Document exhibit: (Ex. A at 3)
Pleading: (Compl. ¶ 15)
Declaration: (Jones Decl. ¶ 8)
Appendix: (A-123)
Joint Appendix: (JA 456)
Legal Argument
IRAC Structure
ISSUE: State the legal question
RULE: Set forth the governing law
- Start with the rule
- Explain standards and elements
- Cite controlling authority
APPLICATION: Apply law to facts
- Walk through each element
- Use specific facts
- Distinguish adverse cases
CONCLUSION: State your conclusion
- Tie back to rule
- Connect to relief sought
Point Headings
EFFECTIVE POINT HEADINGS
Structure:
[Legal conclusion] because [reason(s)]
Examples:
GOOD:
"I. THE COURT LACKS PERSONAL JURISDICTION BECAUSE
DEFENDANT HAS NO CONTACTS WITH THIS FORUM"
"A. Defendant's Single Transaction Does Not Create
General Jurisdiction Under Goodyear"
BAD:
"I. PERSONAL JURISDICTION" (non-argumentative)
"I. The Court lacks personal jurisdiction" (no reason)
Persuasive Techniques
Technique
Application
Theme
Develop and repeat core narrative
Primacy
Put strongest arguments first
Rule synthesis
Build rules from multiple cases
Analogy
Compare facts to favorable cases
Distinction
Differentiate adverse authority
Policy
Show broader implications
Equity
Appeal to fairness
Citation Practice
Bluebook Basics
CASE CITATIONS
Full citation (first use):
Smith v. Jones, 123 F.3d 456, 459 (9th Cir. 2020)
Short form:
Smith, 123 F.3d at 460
Id. at 461 (same case, different page)
Id. (exact same citation)
STATUTE CITATIONS
Federal:
42 U.S.C. § 1983 (2018)
State:
Cal. Civ. Code § 1750 (West 2023)
SIGNAL HIERARCHY
[No signal] - Direct support
See - Implicit support
See also - Additional support
Cf. - Analogous support
Compare...with - Comparison
But see - Contrary authority
See generally - Background
Common Citation Errors
Error
Correction
Wrong reporter
Verify correct reporter for court
Missing pinpoint
Always include specific page
Incorrect court
Match citation to court level
Outdated edition
Use current Bluebook rules
Missing parenthetical
Explain non-obvious citations
Standards of Review
Appellate Standards
Standard
Deference
Applies To
De novo
None
Legal questions
Clearly erroneous
High
Factual findings
Abuse of discretion
High
Discretionary rulings
Plain error
Very high
Unpreserved errors
Substantial evidence
High
Agency fact-finding
Harmless error
Applied to errors
Determines reversal
Framing for Your Standard
APPELLANT (seeking less deference):
- Frame as legal question
- Emphasize interpretation issues
- Focus on undisputed facts
- Argue de novo review applies
APPELLEE (seeking more deference):
- Frame as factual question
- Emphasize trial court's position
- Defer to credibility findings
- Argue clear error/abuse standard
Responding to Opposition
Opposition Brief Strategy
1. REFRAME THE ISSUES
- Correct mischaracterizations
- Provide proper context
- Establish your narrative
2. ADDRESS THEIR ARGUMENTS
- Don't ignore strong points
- Distinguish or explain
- Show why they're wrong
3. REINFORCE YOUR CASE
- Repeat your theme
- Add supporting authority
- Strengthen weak points
4. EXPOSE WEAKNESSES
- Identify logical flaws
- Note missing authority
- Highlight concessions
Reply Brief Strategy
1. PRIORITIZE
- Focus on important issues
- Don't repeat opening brief
- New responses only
2. RESPOND SELECTIVELY
- Address key counterarguments
- Correct misstatements
- Fill gaps they exploited
3. FINAL WORD
- Conclude strongly
- Reinforce your theme
- Make the ask clear
Editing and Revision
Editing Checklist
SUBSTANTIVE REVIEW
□ Arguments complete and logical
□ All elements addressed
□ Authorities support propositions
□ Adverse authority addressed
□ Record support for facts
STRUCTURAL REVIEW
□ Clear organization
□ Effective headings
□ Smooth transitions
□ Appropriate length
□ Strong introduction/conclusion
SENTENCE-LEVEL REVIEW
□ Clear and concise
□ Active voice
□ No unnecessary words
□ Varied sentence structure
□ No jargon or legalese
TECHNICAL REVIEW
□ Citations correct
□ Record cites accurate
□ Grammar/punctuation
□ Spelling
□ Formatting compliance
Common Writing Issues
Issue
Solution
Passive voice
Use active constructions
Nominalizations
Use verbs, not noun forms
Throat-clearing
Cut introductory phrases
Overlong sentences
Break up, simplify
Weak verbs
Use strong, precise verbs
Excessive hedging
Be confident
Oral Argument Preparation
Argument Outline
ORAL ARGUMENT PREPARATION
1. OPENING (30-60 seconds)
- Introduction
- Issue statement
- Relief sought
- Roadmap (2-3 points)
2. MAIN ARGUMENT
- Point 1: [Strongest argument]
- Point 2: [Second strongest]
- Point 3: [If time permits]
3. REBUTTAL (save time)
- Address opposing counsel's points
- Reinforce your theme
4. CONCLUSION
- Summarize key point
- Request specific relief
Hot Bench Preparation
ANTICIPATED QUESTIONS
1. [Likely question]
- Short answer
- Supporting explanation
- Pivot back to theme
2. [Difficult question]
- Acknowledge if needed
- Explain your position
- Distinguish or limit
3. [Hypothetical]
- Answer directly
- Explain why
- Relate to your case
Integration with Other Skills
legal-research: Authority identification
litigation: Motion practice
deposition-prep: Using deposition testimony
court-filings: Filing requirements
legal-analytics: Case outcome research
Reference Files
For detailed guidance:
references/brief-templates.md - Brief format examples