Writing Like the Best

For over a decade, dozens of litigants who could hire anyone to handle their US Supreme Court case called one lawyer first:  John Roberts.

One of his appellate briefs illustrates "Five Ways to Write Like John Roberts," says Ross Guberman at Legal Writing Pro.

I highly recommend the article, both as case study and practice guide.  Read the whole thing; it's only 3 pages.  But if your nose is to the grindstone, here are the 5 take-aways:

• "Let your facts 'show, not tell.'"
• "Add speed through short and varied transitions."
• "Add elegance and clarity through parallel constructions."
• "Add interest through short sentences, examples, and figure of speech."
• "End with a bang."

I'd enjoy reading a brief like this.  Your appellate panel probably would, too.

(h/t How Appealing)