Brief Writing: Day-by-Day

This chart represents a day-by-day guide to the brief-writing process. Please note: the
tasks addressed below are only those specifically related to brief production. Many clinic class
sessions require your completion of additional—mostly reading—assignments. While the list of
responsibilities may seem quite daunting, careful organization and timely completion of tasks
will keep them manageable and ensure high-quality representation for your client.

Day(s) Activity
- 14 • Receive case summaries at a team meeting with your faculty advisor.
- 13 • Highlight relevant issues in the case summary.
• Divide-up and begin research into case law and country conditions.
• Draft introductory letter to the client (see client documents, attached at Appendix B).
-7 • Receive signed EOIR-27 form from the client.
• File EOIR-27 form with the BIA.
• Mail introductory letter to the client.
0 • Receive and review the Record of Proceedings (ROP).
• Make copies of the ROP for all team members, retaining master copy in the clinic office
• Create an index for the ROP and/or an annotated outline of the IJ’s decision.
1 • Take note of any additional issues in the ROP that were absent from the case summary.
• File motion for an extension of time (21 extra days, giving you 42 days total).
• Begin work on the brief.
2–6 • Locate and meet with a translator, if necessary.
• Conduct intensive fact-finding, supplementing information from the ROP through client-
conversations. Perhaps meet with client.
• Identify issues and determine which member of the team will complete each section of the
brief.
7 • Submit an outline of your brief and arguments to your faulty advisor (see brief-writing tools,
attached at Appendix C).
8–13 • Continue fact-finding research and discussions with client.
• Continue case-law research—identify cases with fact-patterns similar to your client’s
experience.
• Draft key sections of the brief.
14 • Submit a draft of your main arguments to your faculty advisor for review.
15–21 • Continue to submit drafts of sections as revised—ideally two new drafts of each section
during the course of the week.
• Review and incorporate faculty comments.
• Produce and organize any supplemental documents (i.e. an affidavit).
22–28 • Combine all brief sections into a complete and cohesive document. See Blackboard for a
formatted template.
• Review for consistent citation format and tone, in addition to factual uniformity.
• Incorporate additional faculty comments and submit for review.
 • Present draft brief, along with discussion questions, for in-class peer review.
29–35 • Continue to submit revised full drafts for faculty review.
• Continue to incorporate revisions into the brief.
36 • Submit a complete and (nearly) final draft for faculty review.
37–39 • Make any suggested changes to the brief, shepardize your cases, and conduct extensive
proof-reading—including of citations.
40 • Assemble your BIA submission packet (including required forms, a signed copy of the brief
and any supporting documents).
41 • File your brief with the BIA, observing all mailing requirements.
• Brief must ARRIVE at BIA by due date.
• Send a conformed copy of the brief to DHS counsel and another copy to your client.
• Call the client to discuss the filing, answer any questions that she has, and address
outstanding issues (i.e. work permits, detention).
42–48 • Complete post-filing duties, including production of a client close-out letter, one-page case
summary and redacted brief, as well as updating all case files and the master spreadsheet (see
post brief-writing documents—including a task checklist—attached at Appendix D).