12:00 pm - 1:30 pm

Written Advocacy in Criminal Cases

Strong written advocacy is one of the most powerful tools a lawyer can develop. Clear, disciplined, and persuasive writing shapes how decision-makers understand the facts, the law, and the outcome you are asking them to reach. For junior and intermediate counsel, refining that skill early can dramatically improve results for clients and confidence in practice.

This small-group program offers a rare opportunity to receive detailed, practical advice and potentially feedback on your own written work. Participants may submit a piece of advocacy in advance and have it reviewed for structure, clarity, and persuasion. The sessions are deliberately kept small to ensure thoughtful discussion, individualized critique, and meaningful take-aways you can apply immediately.

Rather than theory, this program focuses on how written arguments actually function in practice — what works, what distracts, and how to organize submissions so your strongest points land where they matter most.

By attending, you will strengthen your ability to:

• Structure written arguments so decision-makers can quickly grasp your theory of the case.
• Present facts in a way that supports your legal framework rather than competing with it.
• Write with clarity and precision, eliminating common pitfalls that weaken submissions.
• Develop a persuasive narrative that remains grounded in the law.
• Edit and refine your work with a critical eye, improving efficiency and impact.
• Gain confidence in your written advocacy through direct, constructive feedback.

Multiple sessions will be offered to allow broad participation while preserving the small-group format that makes this program effective and to cover a variety of topics. Space in each session is limited.

Speaker:

Associate Chief Justice Aston Joseph Hall
Hamna Anwar
Mary Ainslie

Moderator:

Wendy Martin White