Online Resources for Lawyers - Check out Howard Bashman's recent articles on Technology & Appellate Litigation and Online Appellate Court Resources. Howard points out how technology is transforming the practice of law for appellate lawyers, and discusses the online resources available through various court websites. He also has a series of articles on various topics of interest to the appellate practitioner available here, among which is an article on how to write better appellate briefs. I highly recommend these resources to law students, moot court students, and anyone who is interested in learning the craft of legal writing. Here's one statement that Howard makes, which I completely agree with:
"Before I file an appellate brief that I have drafted, I ask another lawyer in my office who has had no prior involvement in the case to read it over and let me know whether he finds it understandable and persuasive. Unless someone who knows nothing about your case can understand and be persuaded by your appellate brief, the document is worthless."
Strangely, many lawyers are reluctant to do this. It's funny how the better writers will accept criticism from almost anyone. It reminds me of a Zen-like parable: if a wise man and an idiot have a conversation, who will learn more?
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