The Trial Brief & Supporting Memorandum

1. The Trial Brief &Supporting Memorandum & CREAC Review Professor Mathis Rutledge

2. Pretrial Motions • Motions – short & to the point • Accompanied by memorandum in support • Ex: Memorandum in Support of Motion for Summary Judgment or Memorandum in Opposition to Motion for Summary Judgment

3. Caption Title Introduction Statement of Facts Argument & Authorities Conclusion Signature Block Certificate of service Affidavits & Evidence Structure Check the local Rules of Court first

4. Caption • Court and division • Each party’s name and designation in the case (Plaintiff & Defendant) • Docket number (usually gives year, sequential number of the case; type of case; information about the division or judge)

5. Title • Controlled by local rules • Tells who is filing the document & type

6. Statement of Facts • Remember your theory • Highlight favorable facts • Include all legally significant facts • Don’t misrepresent by omission • Don’t waste time with underlying facts • Include background facts • Places things in context • Include emotionally appealing facts

7. Statement of Facts • Tell what happened • Tell the truth, but tell it persuasively • Hold the court’s attention

8. Facts:Tell What Happened • Be objective, straightforward & accurate • Do not argue or discuss law

9. Facts • Don’t omit harmful facts • Supportable from the Record • Not inferences • Note page numbers and sources

10. Hold the Court’s Attention • Interesting • Easy-to-follow (organization) • Omit needless info

11. Protect Your Credibility • NEVER omit negative facts that are legally significant • NEVER omit facts the other side will rely on

12. Citations • Citations to court documents include parentheses • The period of the citation sentence should be inside the parentheses • Include pincites (line and page for deposition) • Do not include “p” for page • Dates only needed if there are multiple documents with the same title or the date is significant • Short forms may include id. or see Rule B10.5

13. Citations • Abbreviations for Court documents: Rule BT.1 (p. 25) • (Jones Dep. 10:5-8.) • (Mathis Aff. ¶ 2.) • (Def.’s Mot. Dismiss 23.)

14. Drafting the Facts • Tell the story that • Emphasizes theory • De-emphasizes unfavorable facts • Organize the story • Clear & persuasive • Edit the story • Ensure accurate & supported by the record

15. Unfavorable Facts • Place near a positive fact • Bury in the middle • Summarize • Writing Strategies • Passive voice

16. Tell a Compelling Story • Provide context first • Consider chronological order • Start & end strong

17. Multiple Claims • Draft a thesis paragraph for the facts – summarizing the bare bones of the case in 3-4 sentences • Instead of a chronological background, describe each claim separately • Style preference

18. Argument & Authorities • Weave facts & law persuasively • Select best & most persuasive • Organize

19. Argument • Start with threshold arguments • Next – strongest

20. Organizational Goals • Capture the reader’s attention • Show client’s position is correct & strong • Build credibility

21. Heart of the Brief • Introduction • Statement of Facts • Argument & Authorities

22. Introduction • Short, succinct paragraph (usually one) • Goals: • Identifies the client • Describes the motion • Identifies relief requested • If filing a response • Indicates opposition • Relief sought

23. Introduction • Compare to Overview Paragraph • Introduce client • State basis of lawsuit • Summarize your argument – possibly in a separate section

24. Summary of the Argument • Required by some courts (check local rules) • Identify the legal basis for why the motion should be denied (or granted)

25. Organizing the Argument • Let the issues be your guide • C onclusion • R ule • E xplanation • A pplication • C onclusion

26. CREAC(single claim) • C • Begin with conclusion or an overview paragraph • Identify the elements (issues in dispute) • State why summary judgment should be granted or denied

27. CREAC • R • Identify the legal standard – summary judgment, motion to dismiss, etc. • For summary judgment – look at Celotex 477 U.S. 317 (1986) and Rule 56

28. Multiple Claims • Treat each claim separately • Example: suit for intentional infliction of emotional distress, constructive discharge and retaliation. Start with IIED

29. Multiple Claims • First claim – overview paragraph for that claim • Identify elements • Don’t discuss all of the elements • Focus on your strongest arguments

30. Point Headings • Summarize your argument in a concise and persuasive point heading • Ex: Smith suffered no severe emotional distress.

31. How to Craft Persuasive Point Headings • Point headings should follow breakdown of the rule(s). • Andrea will suffer irreparable harm. • The balance of hardship favors Andrea. • Andrea is likely to succeed on the merits • The public interest favors granting Andrea the motion.

32. Organizing • Under each point, begin with an intro that explains why you should win and state the conclusion you want the court to reach. (Can be +1 sentence) • State and prove the rule • Apply the rule • Restate your conclusion

33. Thesis Paragraphfirst element/first claim • Following the point heading – thesis paragraph on the issue • Ex. IIED requires severe distress • Identify the factors – the courts have found severe distress when . . . • Explain why plaintiff fails to meet the standard (or meets)

34. Analysis • Deductive writing pattern • Explain the rule then • Apply to the client’s facts

35. Persuasive Rule Explanation • You can’t apply the law without knowing it • Assume you’re it • Use transitions and thesis sentences • Focus on the favorable • Identify the favorable rule the case stands for • Highlight favorable facts and reasoning

36. Dealing with the Bad Stuff • De-emphasize the unfavorable • Bury unfavorable information in the middle of a paragraph or in a dependent clause • Emphasize facts that are distinguishable

37. Dealing with Adverse Arguments • Don’t make arguments for your opponent but anticipate the most obvious ones. • Where to fit them in? Depends. • If mirror image of your argument, then your argument suffices. • If they are separate points, need to give it serious thought – maybe at the end.