A single formatting error can get your brief rejected. A weak argument structure can lose your case before oral arguments even begin. Yet most law schools spend surprisingly little time teaching the practical mechanics of brief writing.

Whether you're a new associate drafting your first motion or a seasoned litigator looking to streamline your process, having a reliable legal brief template saves hours of formatting headaches and ensures you never miss a required section.

In this guide, we'll break down the exact structure courts expect, provide a downloadable template framework, and share the formatting rules that separate professional briefs from amateur ones.

What Is a Legal Brief?

A legal brief is a written document presented to a court that argues a party's position on legal issues. Unlike casual legal writing, briefs follow strict formatting requirements and must present arguments in a specific structure that judges expect.

There are several types of legal briefs:

Trial court briefs (motions, memoranda of law)
Appellate briefs (opening briefs, response briefs, reply briefs)
Amicus curiae briefs (friend of the court)

Each type has nuanced differences, but they share a common foundational structure. Master that structure, and adapting to specific court requirements becomes straightforward.

The Standard Legal Brief Structure

While local rules vary by jurisdiction, most US courts expect briefs to include these core sections:

1. Caption and Title

The caption identifies the parties, court, case number, and document type. It appears at the top of every legal document and must match exactly what's on file with the court.

2. Table of Contents

Required for briefs over 10-15 pages (check local rules). List all sections and subsections with accurate page numbers. Most word processors can generate this automatically—use heading styles consistently to make updates painless.

3. Table of Authorities

An alphabetical listing of all cases, statutes, regulations, and secondary sources cited in your brief, with page numbers where each appears. Organize by category: Cases, Constitutional provisions, Statutes, Regulations, Secondary sources.

4. Statement of Issues Presented

Frame the legal questions the court must answer. This section shapes how judges approach your entire argument. Write questions that suggest your preferred answer without being argumentative.

5. Statement of the Case

Present the procedural history and relevant facts. Include how the case got here and the relevant facts presented accurately but persuasively, with extensive record citations.

6. Summary of Argument

A roadmap of your legal arguments in 1-2 pages. Busy judges often read this section first to decide how closely to read the rest. Make it count.

7. Argument

The heart of your brief. Organize with clear headings. Structure each argument using IRAC: State the legal rule, explain the rule with citations, apply to your facts, conclude why the rule favors your client.

8. Conclusion

State specifically what relief you're requesting. Keep it brief—one paragraph maximum.

9. Signature Block

Include attorney name, bar number, firm name, address, phone, and email.

Formatting Rules That Matter

Federal Court Requirements

Font: 14-point proportional (Century Schoolbook) or 12-point monospaced
Margins: At least 1 inch on all sides
Line spacing: Double-spaced (except quotes and footnotes)
Page limits: 30 pages principal / 15 reply (or 13,000/6,500 words)

Common Formatting Mistakes

Inconsistent heading styles
Missing certificate of service
Exceeding page/word limits
Incorrect cover color (appellate)
Missing certificate of compliance

Template Structure

text
I. CAPTION
II. TABLE OF CONTENTS
III. TABLE OF AUTHORITIES
   A. Cases
   B. Constitutional Provisions
   C. Statutes
   D. Rules and Regulations
   E. Secondary Sources
IV. STATEMENT OF ISSUES PRESENTED
V. STATEMENT OF THE CASE
   A. Procedural History
   B. Statement of Facts
VI. SUMMARY OF ARGUMENT
VII. ARGUMENT
VIII. CONCLUSION
IX. SIGNATURE BLOCK
X. CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
XI. CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE

International Variations

UK skeleton arguments are shorter and more structured. EU submissions follow distinct formats with page limits. Common law countries (Australia, Canada) are similar to US but with local variations. Always verify local requirements.

Write Briefs More Efficiently

Start with the Argument section first—the rest becomes easier once you know your points. Use dictation for first drafts; tools like Whisperit are designed for legal professionals and can cut writing time by 50%. Build a personal brief bank for reference.

Quality Checklist

All required sections present
Table of Contents accurate
All authorities in Table of Authorities
Citations properly formatted
Within word/page limits
Facts have record citations
Signature block complete
Certificate of Service included

Conclusion

A well-structured legal brief makes the judge's job easier and builds credibility. The template above works for most US jurisdictions with minor modifications.

Need to draft your next brief faster? Try Whisperit's legal dictation tools (/get-started) to speed up your first draft. For more resources, visit our Academy (/academy).