Brief Write’s Brief Bites: Day 2 – Gloves Off
Welcome back to Day 2 of our Brief Bites series! Yesterday, we talked about serving fresh food with well-researched, up-to-date case law. Today, we’re focusing on keeping your legal writing clean and professional.
The dinner table isn’t a boxing ring, and neither is legal writing. Just as gloves come off at the table to keep hands clean for proper use of utensils, legal writing should remain clean and professional, free from unnecessary combative language. The phrase gloves off in boxing means it’s time for a heated fight, but at the dinner table, gloves come off to keep hands clean for proper use of utensils. The same principle applies to your legal briefs.
While courtroom drama often portrays heated exchanges, emotional arguments can undermine your brief’s persuasiveness. Effective legal writing relies on fact-driven analysis rather than personal attacks., your written advocacy should avoid unnecessary aggression. Legal briefs aren’t the place for personal attacks or emotional jabs. Instead, focus on clear, fact-driven arguments that demonstrate professionalism and respect.
Why It Matters:
👉 Credibility is Key: Taking cheap shots can harm your professional reputation. Maintain your credibility—it’s just as important as your client’s case.
👉 Winning Arguments, Not Battles: The strongest briefs stay focused on facts and law, not personal disputes. Keep the focus on your case’s strengths.
Remember: Clean hands matter when cooking, serving, and eating—and the same applies to your writing. Serve the court and opposing counsel with clean, respectful arguments, not petty conflicts.
Stay tuned for Day 3, where we’ll explore why keeping your elbows off the table—both literally and metaphorically—matters in your legal writing!
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Disclaimer: The content and images used in this blog, including AI-generated elements, are for illustrative and educational purposes only and do not depict actual legal scenarios. This content is intended to provide general guidance and should not be considered specific legal advice.