Appellate clerkship writing sources Forum

[Anonymous User]

I mean about to start a clerkship with a state Supreme Court. I’ve already clerked at the federal district level and magistrate level. But Im lacking writing experience for appellate stuff. I wasn’t on law review, which appellate writing sometimes resembles. Any books or other sources out there to help prepare me for an appellate clerkship?

[mjb447]

I'm sure your judge will have his own personal style, and a lot of it is learning by doing. That said, I know some people who've found Ruggero Aldisert's book Opinion Writing helpful as to the basics (although I probably wouldn't spend money on it).

[lavarman84]

You'll learn it by doing. Just read some of your justice's opinions to get a feel for how he writes and structures things.

[texanslimjim]

Like anything else, appellate opinions vary wildly depending on the issues and subject matter in the case and the judge's personal style. You'll be fine; when you start, you can just pull up opinions the court (and your specific judge) has produced and try to figure out the structural and stylistic practices from there.