Effective Appellate Brief Writing: Table-Top Training - In-Person ONLY
Four essential topics. Three group exercises. Three opportunities for you to
practice, practice, practice. Get effective brief writing skills, and receive one-on-one feedback from the court and other elite appellate brief reviewers and writers. Table-top learning at its finest, bring your favorite fully-charged device to participate in the exercises. Attend to make certain your next appellate brief is a winning one.
• Drafting an Effective Statement of the Case
• Framing Argument Sections
• Conversational Brief Writing
In person only, and class size is limited. Register today!
Commit to pro bono work for the Appellate Pro Bono Program (full referral) or the Civil Appeals Clinic (limited scope) and receive discounted registration! *
* You may register for the Pro Bono rate if you agree to one of the following (within one year):
- Take a full referral case from the Appellate Pro Bono Program (please note there are limited opportunities to take a full referral case); or
For your own safety, the safety of others, and in an effort to provide everyone with the most rewarding in-person meeting and event experiences possible, we request that you attend a CBA, DBA, or CLE meeting or event only if you have been fully vaccinated. Mask wearing is up to personal preference and comfort level. Masks may be required in some clinic settings. Please be cognizant and understanding of others’ preferences and courteous to all attendees.
Depending on CDC and/or state or local health guidelines, a rise in COVID-19 cases, or other circumstances that may threaten the well-being of our attendees, CBA-CLE reserves the right to convert to a fully virtual event.
If disability accommodations or special assistance are needed, please contact us at [email protected]. Requests must be made at least two weeks prior to the scheduled program.
The program will be submitted for CLE accreditation in Colorado. If you need to seek accreditation in another state, please review the process and requirements for that individual state. CBA-CLE staff can provide a Uniform Certificate of Attendance, and it is the attendee’s responsibility to complete the accreditation outside of Colorado.
8:30 – 9:00 AM
Registration and Coffee
9:00 – 9:10 AM
Welcome and Introductions
Extended by Katayoun A. Donnelly, Esq.
9:10 - 10:00 AM
Topic 1: Consider the Consumer
Learn how to better use an introduction, summary of the argument, and headings/sub-headings (and the resulting table of contents) to make the logic path of your argument more conspicuous and thus, easier to follow (especially without losing the starch in your writing).
Presented by Honorable Richard L. Gabriel
10:00 – 10:10 AM
Networking Break
10:10 – 11:00 AM
Group Exercise: Collectively consider examples of the components identified in “Topic 1.” Do the same to examine how to make your legal writing more conversational without seeming gimmicky or flippant.
Presented by Honorable Richard L. Gabriel
11:00 – 11:50 AM
Topic 2: The Gestalt of an Appellate Brief
Learn how to fit the component parts of an appellate brief into a unified, cohesive, and comprehensive document of advocacy.
Drafting an Effective Statement of the Case
Learn how to compose a statement of the case that effectively, persuasively, and honestly conveys its factual and procedural history, based on the record and in light of the issues on appeal and applicable standards of review.
Presented by Walter H. Sargent, Esq.
11:50 AM – 12:30 PM
Pick up Box Lunches (Included in Your Tuition)
12:30 – 12:50 PM
Topic 3: Learn how to frame the questions presented and use them to guide your statement of fact section.
Presented by Katayoun A. Donnelly, Esq.
12:50 – 1:20 PM
Group Exercise: Compare examples of brief sections that use the questions presented to guide the statement of the facts section. Edit them to make them more effective.
Presented by Katayoun A. Donnelly, Esq.
1:20 – 1:30 PM
Post-Lunch Break
1:30 – 2:20 PM
Topic 4: Framing Argument Sections
Learn how to use the standard-of-review-and-preservation section to frame the argument, how to integrate the standard of review into the argument, and how to structure and frame arguments in a way most likely to provide a path to victory in your appeal.
Presented by Jill M. Wichlens, Esq.
2:20 – 3:10 PM
Group Exercise: Compare and edit examples of brief sections using the standard of review to frame and guide the argument section in a way most likely to provide a path to victory.
Presented by Jill M. Wichlens, Esq.
3:10 PM
Adjourn
Registration Fees
| Non Member | $519.00 |
| CBA Member | $389.00 |
| CBA Litigation Law Section Member | $319.00 |
| Paralegal/Support Staff | $194.50 |
| Public Service/Government | $194.50 |
| New Lawyer Edge Partner | $194.50 |
| ADC/ORPC/OCR Attorneys | $194.50 |
| Yes, I will commit to Pro Bono work | $99.00 |
| Yes, I will commit to Pro Bono work | $99.00 |
| CLEACCESSPASS--ELITE Pass Holder | $25.00 |
| Student Currently Enrolled in Law School | $0.00 |
- General Credits: 6.00
- Ethics Credits:
- EDI Credits:
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