Hi, I’m Chris Schandevel.

I’ve written 100+ briefs for state appellate courts, federal courts of appeals, and the U.S. Supreme Court.

Here are 10 principles I live by:

1. Excellent brief-writing can be taught.

2. Brief-writing is more science than art. Master the science, then enjoy the art.

3. It’s never too early to start persuading.

4. Steelman the other side’s argument. Then destroy it.

5. Never write a sentence you couldn’t easily speak.

6. Clarity is king. Brevity is its queen.

7. Use sentence-starting conjunctions like And, But, and So.

8. Em dashes solve almost everything.

9. One space after a period. Not two.

10. Don’t be afraid to use a few contractions. And sentence fragments.

Read my Brief-Writing Ninja origin story at the link below.