The Art of Advocacy: Briefs, Motions, and Writing Strategies of America's Best Lawyers

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Students crave examples of how to write effectively, and The Art of Advocacy: Briefs, Motions, and Writing Strategies of America’s Best Lawyers satisfies with a powerful “show-don’t-tell” approach. The text thoughtfully compiles approximately 160 short, stellar excerpts of legal advocacy and analysis and demonstrates vital principles by using documents from exciting, timely cases: the WikiLeaks controversy, the Deepwater Horizon litigation, the Independent Counsel’s investigation of President Clinton, Facebook’s battle with the Winklevoss twins, and the prosecution of Bernie Madoff. Detailed annotations give insight into what makes each document so effective, and each chapter ends with one or two unannotated examples for in-class discussion and analysis. For year-long courses, this book is a stellar option for second-semester students. Mirroring the sophistication of doctrinal textbooks, The Art of Advocacy stresses strategic choices and the art of building compelling substantive arguments. The text focuses on briefs and motions¿developing a theme, framing issues, and isolating examples of specific doctrinal, textual, and policy arguments. Many chapters are devoted to the documents lawyers write most often, such as e-mails, letters, memos, and motions. An innovative layout helps students engage with the material. Exemplary Legal Writing contains never-published “private and confidential” 1957 advice on written advocacy from the legendary Karl Llewellyn. A comprehensive Teacher’s Manual provides sample syllabi, additional discussion points, discussion points on the unannotated examples at the end of each chapter, and exercises.
Features
employs a “show-don’t-tell,” example-driven approach
compiles approximately 160 short, stellar excerpts of legal advocacy and analysis
demonstrates vital principles with documents from exciting, timely cases
the WikiLeaks controversy
the Deepwater Horizon litigation
the Independent Counsel’s investigation of President Clinton
Facebook’s battle with the Winklevoss twins
the prosecution of Bernie Madoff, and more
detailed annotations give insight into what makes each document effective
short introductions explain the context and basic facts of the case for which each exemplar was written
chapters end with one or two unannotated examples for in-class discussion and analysis
for year-long courses, a stellar option for second-semester students
stresses strategic choices and the art of building compelling substantive arguments
focuses on briefs and motions
developing a theme
framing issues
isolating examples of specific arguments¿doctrinal, textual, and policy
example-based chapters show documents lawyers write most often (e-mails, letters, memos, motions, etc.)
innovative layout
contains the legendary Karl Llewellyn’s never-published “private and confidential” advice on written advocacy