Making Your Case: The Art of Persuading Judges
by: Antonin Scalia, Bryan A. Garner
Price: $29.95
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Product Description:
In their professional lives courtroom lawyers must do these two things well: speak persuasively and write persuasively. In this noteworthy book, two of the most noted legal writers of our day Justice Antonin Scalia and Bryan A. Garner systematically present every important idea about judicial persuasion in a fresh, entertaining way. Making Your Case: The Art of Persuading Judges is a guide for novice and experienced litigators alike. It covers the essentials of sound legal reasoning, including how to develop the syllogism that underlies any argument. From there the authors explain the art of brief-writing, especially what to include and what to omit, so that you can induce the judge to focus closely on your arguments. Finally, they show what it takes to succeed in oral argument. The opinions of Justice Scalia are legendary for their sharp insights, biting wit, and memorable phrasing. The writings of Bryan A. Garner, editor in chief of Black s Law Dictionary®, are respected inside and outside legal circles for their practical guidance on the art of writing and advocacy. Together the Scalia-Garner team has produced a fresh, innovative approach to a timeless topic.
In their professional lives courtroom lawyers must do these two things well: speak persuasively and write persuasively. In this noteworthy book, two of the most noted legal writers of our day Justice Antonin Scalia and Bryan A. Garner systematically present every important idea about judicial persuasion in a fresh, entertaining way. Making Your Case: The Art of Persuading Judges is a guide for novice and experienced litigators alike. It covers the essentials of sound legal reasoning, including how to develop the syllogism that underlies any argument. From there the authors explain the art of brief-writing, especially what to include and what to omit, so that you can induce the judge to focus closely on your arguments. Finally, they show what it takes to succeed in oral argument. The opinions of Justice Scalia are legendary for their sharp insights, biting wit, and memorable phrasing. The writings of Bryan A. Garner, editor in chief of Black s Law Dictionary®, are respected inside and outside legal circles for their practical guidance on the art of writing and advocacy. Together the Scalia-Garner team has produced a fresh, innovative approach to a timeless topic.
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Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: 
- The Bible of Brief Writing
I'll be brief (no pun intended). If you are a lawyer or law student who wants to write better and more persuasive briefs - buy or borrow this book! I've completely changed my legal writing style after reading Judge Scalia and Garner's book.
Rating: 
- Nothing New for Practitioners
If you are a practitioner seeking insightful wisdom from a Supreme Court Justice to improve your advocacy skills, this book is not for you. Those who have taken a basic legal writing and/or moot court course will not find any new information here. Essentially, the authors have compiled highlights from a legal writing textbook, added a few quotes from famous judges and a few examples from their own experience, and billed this as a book of wisdom. It appears that most of the book was written by co ... Read More
Rating: - Words of Wisdom for Lawyers
Legal education does not end with the finishing of your law degree.
The challange begins when you prepare your first brief and stand before the Judge to argue your first case. If you are not prepared well and are not confident to appear before the Judge your mind may become blank. The Skill of Advocacy is acquired slowly as time goes by and you become confident day by day. A good command over the language of the Court is a must. Absolutely essential are also the General Principals of Argumentation ... Read More
Rating: - A good refresher
Sometimes it's easy to lose sight of common sense, and many of the things Mr. Garner and Justice Scalia point out as being helpful and persuasive are common sense.The book is organized nicely into small bits that make it an easy read.I'd recommend this to any attorney, or even to anyone who simply wants to be more persuasive in writing or speaking.
Rating: - interesting but mostly useless
As a plaintiff's lawyer who also does appeal work, this book was very interesting but little is memorable after a few days.I'm glad I signed it out from the library instead of buying it.It's just a repeat of basic (naive) advocacy principles.The image is that your judge will really conscientiuosly read things and be careful to rule properly.The book is very well-edited--so you won't read much of substance that is realistic or cynical--like about judicial intellectual dishonesty.Scalia gives no insight ... Read More
- The Bible of Brief WritingI'll be brief (no pun intended). If you are a lawyer or law student who wants to write better and more persuasive briefs - buy or borrow this book! I've completely changed my legal writing style after reading Judge Scalia and Garner's book.
- Nothing New for PractitionersIf you are a practitioner seeking insightful wisdom from a Supreme Court Justice to improve your advocacy skills, this book is not for you. Those who have taken a basic legal writing and/or moot court course will not find any new information here. Essentially, the authors have compiled highlights from a legal writing textbook, added a few quotes from famous judges and a few examples from their own experience, and billed this as a book of wisdom. It appears that most of the book was written by co ... Read More
- Words of Wisdom for LawyersLegal education does not end with the finishing of your law degree.
The challange begins when you prepare your first brief and stand before the Judge to argue your first case. If you are not prepared well and are not confident to appear before the Judge your mind may become blank. The Skill of Advocacy is acquired slowly as time goes by and you become confident day by day. A good command over the language of the Court is a must. Absolutely essential are also the General Principals of Argumentation ... Read More
- A good refresherSometimes it's easy to lose sight of common sense, and many of the things Mr. Garner and Justice Scalia point out as being helpful and persuasive are common sense.The book is organized nicely into small bits that make it an easy read.I'd recommend this to any attorney, or even to anyone who simply wants to be more persuasive in writing or speaking.
- interesting but mostly uselessAs a plaintiff's lawyer who also does appeal work, this book was very interesting but little is memorable after a few days.I'm glad I signed it out from the library instead of buying it.It's just a repeat of basic (naive) advocacy principles.The image is that your judge will really conscientiuosly read things and be careful to rule properly.The book is very well-edited--so you won't read much of substance that is realistic or cynical--like about judicial intellectual dishonesty.Scalia gives no insight ... Read More
