Part One: Appellate Briefing from the Decisionmaker's Perspective

An appellate brief is the primary tool through which advocates educate and persuade the court. Understanding how judges, research attorneys, and other decisionmakers read briefs, evaluate credibility, and identify dispositive issues can dramatically improve the effectiveness of written advocacy. Drawing on their combined experience evaluating appeals from both sides of the bench, M.C. Sungaila and Melanie Gold of Complex Appellate Litigation Group LLP provide practical insights into what makes an appellate brief persuasive and what common mistakes can undermine even strong legal arguments. Audio versions of Beverly Hills Bar Association programs are eligible for Self-Study CLE credit in California. Visit www.bhba.org/podcasts for more information.