The Trial Brief &Supporting Memorandum

& CREAC ReviewProfessor Mathis Rutledge

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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

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Structure

• Caption• Title• Introduction• Statement of Facts• Argument &

Authorities

• Conclusion• Signature Block• Certificate of service• Affidavits &

Evidence

Check the local Rules of Court first

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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)

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Title

• Controlled by local rules

• Tells who is filing the document & type

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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

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Statement of Facts

• Tell what happened

• Tell the truth, but tell it persuasively

• Hold the court’s attention

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Facts:Tell What Happened

• Be objective, straightforward & accurate

• Do not argue or discuss law

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Facts

• Don’t omit harmful facts

• Supportable from the Record– Not inferences

• Note page numbers and sources

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Hold the Court’s Attention

• Interesting

• Easy-to-follow (organization)

• Omit needless info

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Protect Your Credibility

• NEVER omit negative facts that are legally significant

• NEVER omit facts the other side will rely on

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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

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Citations

• Abbreviations for Court documents: Rule BT.1 (p. 25)

• (Jones Dep. 10:5-8.)

• (Mathis Aff. ¶ 2.)

• (Def.’s Mot. Dismiss 23.)

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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

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Unfavorable Facts

• Place near a positive fact

• Bury in the middle

• Summarize

• Writing Strategies– Passive voice

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Tell a Compelling Story

• Provide context first

• Consider chronological order

• Start & end strong

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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

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Argument & Authorities

• Weave facts & law persuasively

• Select best & most persuasive

• Organize

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Argument

• Start with threshold arguments

• Next – strongest

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Organizational Goals

• Capture the reader’s attention

• Show client’s position is correct & strong

• Build credibility

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Heart of the Brief

• Introduction

• Statement of Facts

• Argument & Authorities

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Introduction

• Short, succinct paragraph (usually one)• Goals:

– Identifies the client– Describes the motion– Identifies relief requested

• If filing a response– Indicates opposition– Relief sought

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Introduction

• Compare to Overview Paragraph

• Introduce client

• State basis of lawsuit

• Summarize your argument – possibly in a separate section

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Summary of the Argument

• Required by some courts (check local rules)

• Identify the legal basis for why the motion should be denied (or granted)

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Organizing the Argument

• Let the issues be your guide

• C onclusion

• R ule

• E xplanation

• A pplication

• C onclusion

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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

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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

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Multiple Claims

• Treat each claim separately

• Example: suit for intentional infliction of emotional distress, constructive discharge and retaliation. Start with IIED

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Multiple Claims

• First claim – overview paragraph for that claim

• Identify elements

• Don’t discuss all of the elements

• Focus on your strongest arguments

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Point Headings

• Summarize your argument in a concise and persuasive point heading

• Ex: Smith suffered no severe emotional distress.

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How to Craft Persuasive Point Headings

• Point headings should follow breakdown of the rule(s).

1.Andrea will suffer irreparable harm.

2.The balance of hardship favors Andrea.

3.Andrea is likely to succeed on the merits

4.The public interest favors granting Andrea the motion.

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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

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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)

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Analysis

• Deductive writing pattern

• Explain the rule

then

• Apply to the client’s facts

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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

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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

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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.