How to Write Briefs Judges Want to Read

In this program, Ryan McCarl, the author of Elegant Legal Writing, will discuss how attorneys can make briefs more readable and persuasive. Drawing on examples from real litigation filings and concepts informed by cognitive psychology, the program examines how judges process information under constraints of time, attention, and working memory — and how lawyers can structure their briefs to help judges focus on what matters. Topics include using an approachable prose style, managing complexity, improving document design, and deploying visual aids such as summaries, diagrams, tables, and multimedia evidence. Participants will also explore citation strategy and brief structure, leaving with practical tools for writing filings that are clearer, better organized, and more persuasive.