Writing Skills for Federal Litigation

An attorney's ability to write clearly, persuasively, and effectively cannot be understated, particularly so in federal court. Knowing the rules, general structure, and flow of a federal criminal case is an important starting point to being able to make timely written arguments which are properly sequenced for maximum effect. Identifying the relevant issues, and researching and arguing the law as supported by the evidence, are skills that are learned and honed through practice.

In this course, criminal trial attorney Joseph A. Bondy discusses best practices for writing in a federal criminal case, from pre-trial motions, to letter-motions, in limine applications, requests to charge, post-verdict motions, and sentencing memoranda.

Learning Objectives:

1. Review the rules and sequence of writings in a federal criminal case

2. Format your briefs, affirmations, and letter-motions correctly according to your local rules

3. Navigate PACER effectively

4. Identify issues from the facts and evidence

5. Argue the law with clarity and persuasion

6. Write to win

This course originally appeared as a part of our September 2019 Bridge the Gap event.