Appellate attorneys, how much brief writing are you doing? Forum
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Anonymous User
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Appellate attorneys, how much brief writing are you doing?
For the appellate attorneys, I’m curious how much substantive writing you all are doing in your practice. How many briefs do you typically write in a year? What about oral arguments? And what kind of shop are you in? (private/government/etc., how many attorneys, region of country)
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Crazysnackaroo
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Re: Appellate attorneys, how much brief writing are you doing?
I'm no longer really an appellate attorney, but I was.
When I was, I was probs writing around 2 substantive briefs a month for appeal. I also helped out a trial team with bigger motions (like writing the congressional history of something on a motion to dismiss). I'd typically work on 2-5 of those a month. I'd also be editing other briefs too. Usually was juggling about 5 of my own projects a month, and around another 2-5 I was actively helping on. And I'd also be a third line edit for a number of other folks in a similar role to mine, so I might just be doing a high level check of grammar, flow, and some blaring case law - but this would only take a day or two.
Re oral arguments: At the district court level, often enough. Probs once every 6 months or so. Same with state trial court. At COA, almost never, at that point it was usually taken from me but somebody more senior. I only did 1.
I've done this in both PI and Govt. Got to do my 1 argument while in Govt, but they took my others. The PI group always had a few stars they brought in to argue. My specific govt role had about 5 of us in that niche. My PI role had 2 of us in that area.
My current role (back in private practice) I do a good amount of brief writing, but it's almost exclusively at the trial court level. I think I've worked on two appellate briefs.
When I was, I was probs writing around 2 substantive briefs a month for appeal. I also helped out a trial team with bigger motions (like writing the congressional history of something on a motion to dismiss). I'd typically work on 2-5 of those a month. I'd also be editing other briefs too. Usually was juggling about 5 of my own projects a month, and around another 2-5 I was actively helping on. And I'd also be a third line edit for a number of other folks in a similar role to mine, so I might just be doing a high level check of grammar, flow, and some blaring case law - but this would only take a day or two.
Re oral arguments: At the district court level, often enough. Probs once every 6 months or so. Same with state trial court. At COA, almost never, at that point it was usually taken from me but somebody more senior. I only did 1.
I've done this in both PI and Govt. Got to do my 1 argument while in Govt, but they took my others. The PI group always had a few stars they brought in to argue. My specific govt role had about 5 of us in that niche. My PI role had 2 of us in that area.
My current role (back in private practice) I do a good amount of brief writing, but it's almost exclusively at the trial court level. I think I've worked on two appellate briefs.
