A big part of my law practice is writing briefs, so lawyers often ask my advice on how to write a good brief. I always pass along three key rules:

1. Read the court’s rules for brief writing and then follow them.
2. Tell a good story in your brief.
3. Don’t use footnotes.

If you violate rules 1 and 3, then this is what could happen.
Hat tip to Appellate Law and Practice blog for the link.