Better Appellate Writing, Briefing, and Oral Argument CLE

Better Appellate Writing, Briefing, and Oral Argument

May 2012

Join the Honorable John Webb on -

Better Appellate Writing, Briefing, and Oral Argument

Program Highlights:

Last year's participants benefited from their experience -

- “Very informative and time well spent.”

- “Judge Webb presented a great program.”

- “Exceedingly helpful.”

- “Excellent written materials.”

Judge Webb will let you know in practical ways how to -

- Write clearly and effectively

- Draft a winning brief

- Give a powerful oral argument

And…

We've added a NEW TOPIC! Applicable Ethical Rules

Program Description:

Spend the day with Colorado Court of Appeals Judge John Webb, who will show you how to -

- Express yourself clearly and effectively in your briefs

- Use well-built guideposts to make it easy for the appellate court judges to follow your position

- Give a powerful oral argument, including how to handle questions from the bench.

- Deal with ethical questions unique to appellate practice

Your day also includes an interactive in-class writing exercise, so you can practice your new skills immediately.

Topics:

Writing Clearly and Effectively

- Use "road maps" and "sign posts"

- Eliminate legalism

- Rely on directional language

- Avoid passive and tentative language

In-class writing exercise

Writing Exercise Review

Drafting a Winning Brief

- Employ a thematic approach

- Select winning issues

- Frame issues persuasively

- Let the facts tell your story

- Use precedent effectively

Powerful Oral Argument

- Distinguish between argument and briefing

- Get and keep the court's attention

- Manage time effectively

- Handle questions from the bench

- End with impact

Appellate Ethical Issues

- Applicable ethical Rules

- Whether to file the appeal

- Conflicts of interest unique to the appeal

- Prosecuting the appeal

Faculty

Honorable John R. Webb

Colorado Court of Appeals

Denver, CO

Judge John Webb was appointed to the Colorado Court of Appeals in 2002. Judge Webb has served on the Colorado Supreme Court Standing Committee on Rules of Civil Procedure, the Colorado Supreme Court Standing Committee on the Rules of Professional Conduct, the Judicial Ethics Advisory Board, and The Colorado Lawyer Board of Editors. He is a frequent lecturer and contributor to continuing legal education programs on appellate practice and ethics. He has authored numerous articles, including: Revisiting the Recovery of Attorney Fees and Costs in Colorado, 33 Coleslaw. 11 (April 2004); Fraud and Negligent Misrepresentation Tort Theories and Employment Law, 29 Colo.Law. 79 (June 2000); and many others.