Sample briefs written by experienced attorneys can be an excellent source of information and guidance in drafting briefs, both as to style and substance. No matter how experienced a writer may be, there are things to learn from the ways other writers approach a problem.
The Internet makes available a variety of appellate briefs worthy of review.
Depending on the site, it may be possible to search for subjects or parties.
- Incomplete collection of U.S. Supreme Court briefs filed in 1999 through 2007
- U.S. Supreme Court briefs filed by the Solicitor General 1998 to today, some earlier, searchable by subject matter and client
- U.S. Supreme Court briefs
- Incomplete collection of amicus briefs in the 2d, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th,
11th, and Federal Circuits - Incomplete collection of amicus briefs filed in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Texas, Wisconsin and D.C.
- Briefs filed in the Michigan Supreme Court (click on docket numbers to see
briefs) - Connecticut Supreme Court briefs since 2009
- Washington Supreme Court briefs filed since June 2006
A variety of briefs on specialized subjects or particular cases can also be located on the Internet
through appropriate searches. Searches on PACER and Google may reveal specific cases and briefs. Success will vary, but some results will be valuable. Obviously, nothing in any brief can be taken at face value or trusted as anything other than an idea and starting place for additional research.
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