Plenary 4: Writing Like the Greats in the 21st Century: An Advanced Appellate Writing Workshop

Step into the future of legal advocacy with Writing Like the Greats in the 21st Century, an immersive, hands-on workshop designed for experienced legal professionals ready to elevate their appellate writing. This advanced program blends time-honored legal writing techniques with the cutting-edge power of A.I., transforming how persuasive briefs are crafted in the digital age.

Through interactive exercises, real-time feedback, and dynamic “show and tell” sessions, participants will sharpen their analytical and rhetorical skills while exploring how to strategically integrate A.I. tools into their writing process. Learn to harness A.I. not just as a time-saver, but as a powerful co-counsel in crafting compelling arguments and polishing your prose.

Attendees will leave with a comprehensive workbook, practical reference materials, and an expanded arsenal of writing techniques—classic and contemporary. Whether you’re polishing your next appellate brief or future-proofing your practice, this workshop is your gateway to writing like the greats—with a 21st-century edge.

Presenter: Professor Joe Regalia, UNLV Law School, and Co-Founder of Write.law

Learning Objectives:

1. Enhance advanced appellate writing skills by applying time-tested legal writing techniques in a practical, interactive setting.
2. Integrate A.I. tools effectively into the legal writing process to increase efficiency, precision, and persuasive impact.
3. Apply feedback in real time to refine arguments, improve structure, and elevate overall writing quality through hands-on exercises and peer engagement.

This advanced, hands-on appellate writing workshop blends time-tested legal writing techniques with cutting-edge A.I. tools to help attorneys write more persuasively and efficiently. Participants will receive real-time feedback, practical resources, and strategies to elevate their legal writing in the digital age.

Prof. Joe Regalia, Associate Professor of Law, William S. Boyd School of Law, University of Nevada, Law Vegas

Joe’s research and teaching focus on legal writing, persuasion science, and technology and innovation. Joe is developing a project in partnership with leading legal tech and innovation experts across the globe. The project aims to train law students and lawyers how to leverage cutting-edge technology and innovation in their practice. Joe also founded and runs the Pro Se Bootcamp, a project that trains pro se litigants how to navigate the legal system. 

Joe frequently consults for law firms, courts, agencies, nonprofits, corporations, and other organizations on legal writing, technology, and innovation. Joe also founded one of the first virtual training companies for lawyers, Write.law. Write.law is used by some of the top law firms, legal departments, government agencies, and courts across the world. 

Joe graduated first in his class at the University of Michigan Law School. He went on to clerk for U.S. District Courts and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Before joining the faculty at Boyd, Joe practiced at the international law firms of Wilson Sonsini, Sidley Austin, and King & Spalding. He also taught at Loyola University Law School Chicago and the John Marshal Law School. 

Joe holds positions in each of the legal writing organizations, including the Legal Writing Institute, the Association of Legal Writing Directors, and the Legal Writing Section of A.A.L.S. His work has been featured in publications like the Kentucky Law Journal, the New Mexico Law Review, the University of Virginia Environmental Law Journal, and others.

Gretchen Harris Sperry, Partner, Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani, LLP (Moderator)

Gretchen is highly skilled at handling the sensitive and unique legal issues that arise at the intersection of law, politics, and government. She is experienced in white collar criminal matters, having represented individuals and entities in federal criminal prosecutions and investigations, as well as conducting internal investigations in anticipation of government involvement. Gretchen frequently represents government agencies and elected officials in constitutional litigation as a court-appointed Special Assistant State’s Attorney. She also represents private sector clients before various governmental, legislative, and regulatory agencies, counseling them on pending legislation and regulatory compliance matters.

Gretchen is an active member of the legal community. She was appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court to serve as a member of the Character and Fitness Committee of the Illinois Board of Admissions to the Bar. She has served as an adjunct faculty member at two Chicago law schools teaching Appellate Advocacy. She also serves as the Secretary of the ABA Council of Appellate Lawyers and is a Past President of the Illinois Appellate Lawyers Association.

Prior to joining GRSM, Gretchen was partner at a national law firm where she served as chair of the firm’s Appellate Practice Group, which was nationally recognized.  Previously, Gretchen was a Judicial Clerk to the Honorable Mary Jane Theis and the Honorable Maureen E. Connors in the Illinois Appellate Court. During her time in the Court, Gretchen assisted in researching and drafting judicial opinions and dispositional orders in all areas of the law, including insurance coverage, contract disputes, corporate and partnership formation, fiduciary duty, personal injury, professional liability, declaratory judgment actions, appellate jurisdiction, evidentiary issues, and criminal matters. In law school, she also served as a judicial extern to the Honorable Michael T. Mason, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, and was a Senior Research Fellow for Dean Michael J. Kaufman.