Lawyers wonder, what’s the point of writing a good brief when it seems that judges barely skim them? Judges grumble that briefs are notoriously dense and barely readable. And yet an informative and concise brief is the time-honored way to convince the judge of the merits of your case. In mediation as well, the brief presents a golden opportunity to have your case viewed by the neutral in the best-possible light, free of annoying objections and interruptions from your opponent. So is it worth the effort? According to Chief Justice John G. Roberts, “There’s nothing better than a well-written brief.”

Let’s get to work. Here are 10 pro tips to make your next brief a winner...

Originally published on Law.com on July 16, 2014.