Erin McCampbell, a partner in Lipsitz Green Scime Cambria’s Criminal Defense Trials and Appeals practice area, has organized a CLE on how to write more successful briefs. The CLE, called “Writing the Winning Brief: Tips from the Bench and Bar”, will be held at the Robert J. Jackson U.S. Courthouse on Tuesday, June 27 from 4 to 5:30, with a cocktail reception to follow. Ms. McCampbell spoke to the Buffalo Law Journal about the event and her inspiration for it. The full story is available on the Buffalo Law Journal website.
Panel comprised of “seasoned judges”
Ms. McCampbell told the Buffalo Law Journal that she was inspired to organize this event after attending a CLE in New York City earlier this year. “I wanted to get together a stellar group of judges and give a presentation on a particular topic and then take questions from the audience so that we could essentially pick their brains,” she explained.
The panel that Ms. McCampbell has assembled to discuss best brief-writing practices consists of several judges whom she describes to the Buffalo Law Journal as “very seasoned.” Retired Judge Victoria Graffeo from the New York State Court of Appeals in Albany will speak on discretionary appeals. She will take questions from the audience along with retired Judge Eugene Pigott, Jr., also from the New York State Court of Appeals. Judges Graffeo and Pigott will also discuss the submission of amicus briefs. Ms. McCampbell told the Buffalo Law Journal that Judge Lawrence Vilardo of the United States District Court’s Western District of New York will also be in attendance to “share some of his insight” on the substance of writing briefs. Ms. McCampbell is scheduled to speak during the CLE as well, along with Timothy Murphy, the chairman of the Appellate Practice Committee.
Ms. McCampbell told the Law Journal that the panel will have a great deal to offer event attendees, as they will be able to speak with and ask questions of the judges at the reception after the CLE.
These judges “were top attorneys in practice and they were of the highest pinnacle of their judicial careers,” Ms. McCampbell explained. “They’re going to give you an insider’s perspective on how to catch the attention of the court with your brief writing. I think that’s invaluable.”
About Erin E. McCampbell
Erin E. McCampbell is a member of Lipsitz Green Scime Cambria’s Criminal Defense Trials and Appeals practice area and focuses her practice on appellate litigation. She practices in state and federal appellate courts and has significant experience as a law clerk to federal district and circuit judges, which allows her to navigate her clients through the complicated appellate process.
