CLE
NCAJ Skills Academy | New Developments in Legal Writing and Appellate Advocacy
This Skills Academy will bring practitioners up to date on recent developments in appellate practice and procedure and focus on how lawyers can improve their legal writing at every stage of litigation. The seminar is appropriate for both experienced appellate lawyers and trial lawyers who want to improve their writing and gain a general familiarity with appellate litigation.
Registration includes electronic materials and 6.0 CLE hours.
Speakers & Topics
8:55 a.m. |
Welcoming Remarks by Program Chair
Bonnie Keith Green, The Green Firm, PLLC, Charlotte |
9 a.m. |
Approaches to Eliminating Legalese and Simplifying Your Legal Writing
Christopher Brook, Patterson Harkavy, Chapel Hill Christopher Brook, a former North Carolina Court of Appeals Judge and the former director of the ACLU of North Carolina, and Jon Ward, an NCAJ member who has litigated numerous appeals and written many amicus briefs on behalf of NCAJ, will discuss how to simplify your legal writing to create more persuasive briefs and improve pleadings, demand letters, and other documents. |
10:30 a.m. | Break |
10:45 a.m. |
The New Appellate Style Manual and Universal Citations
Caitlin A. Mitchell, Nexsen Pruet, Raleigh The editor of the April 2021 revision to the North Carolina Appellate Style Manual will discuss changes to the Style Manual and will give guidance on North Carolina’s switch to universal citations. |
11:45 a.m. | Lunch |
12:45 a.m. |
The New Chief
The Honorable Donna Stroud, Chief Judge, North Carolina Court of Appeals, Raleigh Chief Judge Stroud will discuss developments in the North Carolina Court of Appeals since her investiture as Chief Judge. |
1:45 p.m. |
Panel Discussion: Improving Your Writing at Every Stage of Litigation to Prevail on Appeal
The Honorable Anita Earls, Supreme Court of North Carolina, Raleigh The panel will discuss the process of reviewing a record on appeal and how writing at each stage of litigation—from complaint, answer, discovery, motions, and appellate briefs—impacts the ultimate outcome of an appeal. |
3:15 p.m. | Break |
3:30 p.m. |
Oral Argument Before the Supreme Court of North Carolina
The Honorable Amy L. Funderburk, Clerk of Court, Supreme Court of North Carolina, Raleigh Learn about the procedures for oral argument in the North Carolina Supreme Court and the use of exhibits and new technology at oral argument. |
4:30 p.m. | Adjourn |
Event Rates
Regular Rates
290.00 | NCAJ Member |
250.00 | NCAJ Attorney Member (2-5 years licensure) |
185.00 | NCAJ Public Service Member |
140.00 | NCAJ Legal Assistant Member |
99.00 | NCAJ New Admittee Member |
390.00 | Non-Member |
185.00 | NCAJ Retired Member |
Thanks to Our Presenting Sponsor
Lawyers Mutual
Lawyers Mutual has been providing North Carolina attorneys with liability insurance for 40 years. Our mission is to protect North Carolina lawyers with the best coverage against professional liability, and to provide education and risk management resources to help them better serve their clients and the public.