Making Your Case

This is a small book, maybe two hundred pages, and it's the most useful book on appellate practice Jim has ever encountered. Scalia brings the bench's perspective; Garner brings the writing craft. They disagree about a few things and put both views on the page, which is the right way to write this kind of book. The "Rules of Argument" section alone will improve your briefs. The chapters on what NOT to do — burying the lede, citing too much, trying to be clever — are worth the price of admission. Five worms. Buy a copy for every first-year associate.