brief writing
"The Diddle of Harmless Error" (how to argue prejudice)
Posted: 8/25/11
This article by George Schraer and Charles Sevilla on arguing prejudice is from the 2011 CACJ Appellate Practice Seminar.
"The Diddle of Harmless Error" article (PDF)
Overcoming Challenges of Forfeiture
Posted: 8/25/11
This article by George Schraer and Charles Sevilla on waiver and forfeiture issues is from the 2010 CACJ Appellate Practice Seminar.
Overcoming Challenges of Forfeiture article (PDF)
Everything You Need to Know About Preparing Dependency Briefing
Updated: 02/15/10
Article accompanying CCAP's presentation for the 2010 CADC Conference (Sacramento) - Dependency Breakout Session
Preparing Dependency Briefing article (PDF)
Everything You Need to Know About Preparing Statements of Appealability,
the Case and the Facts in Criminal Cases
Draft well-crafted and effective statements in the appellate brief.
Preparing Statements of Appealability,
the Case and the Facts in Criminal Cases article (PDF)
The Art of Structuring a Well-Written Appellate Argument
How to focus an appellate argument efficiently and thoroughly, with an emphasis on an organizational approach and effective advocacy.
Art of Structuring a Well-Written Appellate Argument article (PDF)
Watch 2 related MCLE videos on this subject under "Fundamentals":
"Writing for Persuasion" & "Writing, Organizing & Editing Your Appellate Brief" (external link website is for panel attorneys only) 
Sample AOB
Sample criminal case AOB with briefing analysis and notations interjected by CCAP.
Preparing an Effective Reply Brief
Posted: 9/28/09
A primer for drafting reply briefs.
Preparing an Effective Reply Brief article (PDF)
Submitting Supplemental Authorities
Posted: 8/25/10
An article discussing the importance of updating authorities once briefing is complete and how to do so.
Submitting Supplemental Authorities article (PDF)
Handling People's Appeals and Cross Appeals
Posted: 11/10/09
A primer for representing a defendant in People's appeals and cross appeals.
Handling People's Appeals and Cross Appeals article (PDF)
Tips for Happy Judicial Attorneys
Posted: 4/1/09
A collection of tips from the judicial attorneys at the Third and the Fifth District Court of Appeal, regarding brief writing. Keep those attorneys on your good side!
Using Legislative History In California Appeals
Posted: 10/8/10
An article discussing the different approaches taken by the courts on submitting legislative history.
Using Legislative History in California Appeals article (PDF)
Basic Citation Formats (Bluebook vs. Calif. Style Manual)
A side-by-side comparison of proper citation form in appellate briefs.
Basic Citation Formats article (PDF)
Writing Briefs With Style
A primer for proper citation form in appellate briefs.
Writing Briefs With Style article (PDF)
Using WordPerfect’s Legal Tools - Shortcut Steps to Create Your Tables
How to create a Table of Contents & Table of Authorities using WordPerfect's Legal toolbar (WordPerfect versions 12 or higher). Steps for the self-sufficient attorney who wants to auto-generate tables rather than hand create them.
WordPerfect's Legal Tools article (PDF)
How to Do a 50-State Statute Comparison Online at Lexis.com
This article explains how to do a 50-state comparison search on Lexis.com (using the Full Federal package) without incurring additional charges.