Brief-Writing Masterclass
An advocate submits a brief to a court or tribunal to persuade it to decide the cause or matter in favor of the advocate’s client or position. The key word is “persuade.” Too often, advocates forget this and write to please themselves. They write to themselves instead of to the court. They write in chest-thumping prose and style. Advocates will do well to keep in mind that in advocacy, persuasion is all that matters.