Appellate Lawyers Challenged to Write Twitter-Length Briefs
Texas appellate lawyers are being challenged to write a Twitter-length brief in 140 characters or less.
The State Bar of Texas Appellate Section is holding the Twitter brief competition for lawyers attending its annual meeting in September, according to the Texas Lawyer blog Tex Parte.
Anne Johnson, who co-chairs the section’s annual meeting committee, says the section opted for the Twitter competition because so many judges are asking for shorter briefs. In past years, the section asked its annual meeting attendees to write appeals using limericks, Haiku and song lyrics.
Lawyers accustomed to posting on Twitter may have an edge, Johnson told Tex Parte. Some are using abbreviations and shortcuts to keep their briefs within character limits. Many appear to be choosing a waiver theme, possibly because it’s simple. She gives an example: “Honorable court, the claim has been waived. Respectfully submitted, appellee.”
