Kamilla Tokhtaeva, Associate, White & Case:
“Amazing, excellent, and extremely useful.”
David Countiss, Associate, Seyfarth Shaw:
“I like the practical approach to organization that was presented. I will apply this common sense strategy to my future briefs.”
Matthew Sutko, Appellate Coordinator, U.S. Department of Justice:
“Over the years I’ve edited or written well over a thousand appellate briefs, have spoken on appellate advocacy, and have attended legal writing seminars taught by some of the country’s top instructors. Without a doubt, your session is the best I’ve seen. You gave me a lot of easy to understand practical pointers that will improve my editing and brief-writing skills. The concept of ‘show—don’t tell’ alone is worth the seminar—it’s something I can use in every document I write. I really can’t say enough nice things about your session. Thanks again.”
Terence Robinson, Associate, Nixon Peabody:
“Love the practical ideas and suggestions regarding writing structure.”
Paul Johnson, Partner, Filice Brown:
“Fantastic. Thoughtful and systematic. Guiding principles with practical pointers. Memorable and usable. You taught our associates in one Saturday morning what would have taken years to learn by experience.”
Ivan Bilaniuk, Associate, McKenna Long & Aldridge:
“Excellent command. No fluff. Immediate benefits to my writing and tailored to legal practice unlike other courses/materials I have used.”
Kim Heuer, Associate, Morgan Lewis:
“Very interesting and thorough. The subject material is very useful—I can use the suggestions tomorrow.”
Mary Wilson, Participant, NAAG:
“Although I have been writing appellate briefs for 20 years, your presentation inspired me to be clearer, more succinct, and more persuasive in my writing.”
Kenneth Benson, former Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge, Of Counsel, K&L Gates:
“I have attended many CLEs and seminars on brief writing. This is by far the best I have seen.”
Jammie Jackson, Associate, Fox Rothschild:
“Overall, this was one of the best legal writing seminars I’ve attended. The tips were very practical.”
Brian Byun, Associate, Cooley Godward Kronish:
“This was the best in-house tutorial course our firm has offered so far. Great use of timely and interesting cases (and briefs) and quotes by judges. This is the real perspective we want to know about!”
Karen Marryshow, Associate, K&L Gates:
“Presenter’s energy was great as well as his method of enticing audience participation.”
Pam Richardson, Participant, DC Bar:
“I loved this course.”
Eva Temple, Participant, Oregon State Bar:
“Thank you for an excellent and useful CLE. You have a great gift. No one has ever made legal writing sound like a fun, exciting but challenging pursuit. I enjoyed your presentation.”
Erik L. Walter, Participant, Ohio State Bar:
“Was a pleasure to take this course and I would encourage all lawyers to take it.”
Mark Vaughn, Associate, Ropes & Gray:
“Very useful tips put into context--explains why these techniques are useful. Interactive exercises help absorb material better.”
Kim Morris, Associate, Winston & Strawn:
“Provided tips that are easy to implement, rather than a complicated method requiring me to change my entire writing style.”
Doug Hoffman, Associate, Dickstein Shapiro
“It is very systematic, and I like that it clearly distinguishes between meaningless advice (i.e. think before you write) and advice which you may be able to actually apply.”
Anwar Ouzzani, Attorney, Fulbright & Jaworski:
“The course makes us all feel so much more at ease when approaching the overwhelming topic of legal writing.”
Booker Evans, Shareholder, Greenberg Traurig:
“The program provides concrete information. The presenter makes it interesting and entertaining. I believe I learned useful techniques that will help me in drafting motions and briefs in the future.”
Chelsea Munday, Associate, Akin Gump:
“It was very helpful. I look forward to putting it all into use. I’ll never start a brief without my checklists. Thanks.”
Aaron Brinkman, Associate, Axinn:
“Liked the delivery; impressive command of subject matter; extremely helpful.”
Jill Sturtevant, Attorney, U.S. Department of Justice:
“Very much enjoyed—even after 28 years of practice, still learned a lot.”
John Gotaskie, Associate, Fox Rothschild:
“The course does what it claims to do: it sets forth a scientific basis for briefwriting.”
Harry Wedewer, Participant, DC Bar:
“Excellent content and pace. I highly recommend the course.”
Jason Farrington, Associate, DLA Piper:
“The course gave me tips that I will use today in making my briefs better.”
Laura Carter, Associate, Winston & Strawn:
“Every topic covered will help me improve my writing.”
Shelly Shah, Associate, Dickstein Shapiro:
“Interactive; informative; encouraging; kept things moving; clear and concise.”
Geoff Gross, Associate, Stinson:
“Command was great. Very helpful.”
Anne Myers, Participant, Colorado Bar Association:
“Well-researched, well-presented. I should have taken this course earlier.”
Janell Hafner, Participant, Alaska Attorney General’s Office:
“Concise, straight-forward tips that can be easily implemented in any lawyer’s brief.”
Tammy S. Tremain, Managing Attorney for CLE, Wisconsin State Bar:
“Ross’s program was fantastic. My attendees gave Ross very high marks for his content, course materials and delivery. It was a very personable, well-presented program. The concepts presented can easily and seamlessly be applied to every-day practice.”
Tom Viles, Participant, DC Bar:
“Excellent—the clarity of the presentation is unrivaled in CLE-dom. Do you have an encore?”
Anne Kaczmarek, Attorney, Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office:
“I loved the course. The material was timely and interesting. Especially good at pointing out how even small changes to my writing make a big difference.”
Craig Anderson, Participant, Colorado Bar:
“I enjoyed the enthusiasm and joy you brought to the subject.”
Lori Withers, Participant, Ohio State Bar:
“Very helpful and informative.”
Jason Firth, Shareholder, Greenberg Traurig:
“We should have made this mandatory. Great examples, compelling presentation. The content merits a full-day seminar, perhaps on a weekend with less work distractions.”
Melis Acuner, Associate, White & Case:
“I liked the length of the course, the combination of tips on concision and structure, the dynamic and concrete presentation, and the enthusiasm.”
Maryrose Lequyea, Participant, Ohio State Bar:
“Excellent presentation and very useful information provided.”
Erika Young, Associate, Seyfarth Shaw:
“I found the examples helpful and the interactive portion the most useful.”
Jamie Rennert, Participant, DC Bar:
“Exciting pace, mix of activities for participants, we learn from each other too.”
Elliott David, Participant, NAAG:
“Authoritative, clever, practical and useful.”
Kim Warshawsky, Associate, Greenberg Traurig:
“Liked the use of examples to highlight problems with writing and to show different ‘styles.’ Very helpful tips. I’m really glad I attended!”
Deborah Phillips, Participant, Wisconsin State Bar:
“Your presentation is one of the best I have ever attended!”
Jonathan Waters, Attorney, The Hartford:
“It provided useful information in an understandable format.”
Chris Kristofco, Associate, Fox Rothchild:
“Takes a daunting topic and boils it down into digestible pieces that can be used immediately. Thanks!”
Hilary Hershman, Attorney, Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office:
“Very informative and entertaining speaker. Concrete suggestions about what will improve your briefs to convince (and not irritate) judges. One of the best CLE programs I have ever attended!”
Brandon Stroy, Associate, Ropes & Gray:
“I thought it was great. Light on lecture and heavy on engagement. Apologies for no useful criticism, but the presentation was very good.”
Kelly Burns, Associate, Axinn:
“Practical application of useful material.”
Luka Blazevic, Associate, White & Case:
“Very useful and lively. Should be longer than half a day.”
Mark Curiel, Associate, Akin Gump:
“I liked that it brought to our attention simple writing techniques that are often overlooked.”
Joseph A Guzinski, Attorney, U.S. Department of Justice:
“The course provided a step-by-step guide to writing a good brief without giving the mistaken impression that the exercise is mechanical. Lots of great practical advice. I would like to see more time devoted to the session.”
John Pound, Participant, New Mexico Bar Program:
“I liked the interactive nature of the course. Unlike a typical seminar, this course is a group of lawyers working together to improve themselves.”
Laura Ellis, Participant, DC Bar:
“Very useful. Best course here I have taken.”
Linda Norcross, Associate, Greenberg Traurig:
“The tips will be invaluable to me in becoming an effective writer.”
Hannah Bornstein, Associate, Ropes & Gray:
“I liked that this year was a well-rounded presentation. His materials and presentations are helpful, practical, and useful. Thank you!”
Jesse Stein, Participant, DC Bar:
“Practical approach—a look behind the curtain into what judges like and don’t like. Very useful.”
Yvonne Bennett, Participant, Ohio State Bar:
“Great, practical tips and techniques. Love the interactive approach. Very useful exercises. Interesting presentation. Excellent presenter.”
Andrew Price, Senior Associate, Fulbright & Jaworski:
“Fantastic. All lawyers should hear what Ross has to say. Debunked a lot of myths.”
Juliet Speisman, Associate, Greenberg Traurig:
“Liked practical examples and real solutions to problems with legal writing.”
Charles Wyzanski, Attorney, Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office:
“I appreciate your definitive, common-sense analysis.”
Mark Pollack, Participant, Wisconsin State Bar:
“One of the best seminars in my almost 40 years of practice.”
Stephanie Denton, Associate, White & Case:
“Writing is the most important thing we do, takes up the most time, and takes more time than we allow. I appreciate the tips, as they’ll help me advance my position in the firm and my client’s interests.”
Jill Harrison, Attorney, The Hartford:
“Great course! The time flew by! [Liked] the way he presented subject matter to keep us interested.”
Thomas Scriven, Associate, Morgan Lewis:
“I found the discussion of how to structure a brief most valuable.”
Gina Lightfoot-Walker, Participant, DC Bar:
“This was the best DC Bar Course I have taken. Needs to be a series.”
Eric Yecies, Associate, Ropes & Gray:
“The course highlighted the little things that attorneys consistently fail to apply in their writing. Sometimes the obvious is the most difficult to see.”
Bob Hander, Associate, Ropes & Gray:
“I liked the suggestions, and in contrast to other writing instructors I’ve seen, you were much more pragmatic, which, frankly, is one of the main reasons professional writers avoid the creativity that characterizes good writing in general.”
Bern Rappold, Participant, DC Bar:
“Great materials, concrete examples, personable presenter, well-paced.”
J. Todd Hedgepeth, Counsel, Fulbright & Jaworski:
“A dynamic presenter—that is always the key to keep the crowd interested. Examples come from well-known, interesting cases and people. Made it entertaining.”
Craig Middlebrook, Participant, DC Bar:
“Great materials and great presentation. Appreciated your interactive approach.”
Tom Kalm, Participant, New Mexico Bar Program:
“The course really opened my eyes to important basic issues and rules in brief writing.”
Paula Lobeck, Associate, White & Case:
“Entertaining, engaging, and very useful.”
Shelley Pratt, Participant, Ohio State Bar:
“The speaker was very effective and entertaining.”
Frank Morgan, Associate, White & Case:
“The seminar provided a logical presentation of materials that flowed efficiently.”
Jacqueline Chada, Participant, Wisconsin State Bar:
“Your use of examples was especially helpful. Thank you for the thoughtful and enthusiastic presentation!”
Kelley Edwards, Associate, Fulbright & Jaworski:
“Thank you for giving us the perspective of what judges are looking for. After all, that is what really matters!”
Laura Lawless, Associate, Greenberg Traurig:
“Another excellent presentation. Thanks for your visit!”
Craig Moore, Participant, DC Bar:
“It is terrific. Even the most experienced and talented legal writers can benefit from the course.”
Evelyn Baltodano-Sheehan, Associate, White & Case:
“Fantasic program with many practical tips for improving my writing. Would love more programs.”
Nicole Knutson, Participant, New Mexico Bar Program:
“This class was awesome! Thank you for your expertise in legal writing. I gained really useful information that will be applied often in practice.”
Rosemary Connolly, Attorney, Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office:
“Good pace to cover an ambitious program.”
Aaron Tulencik, Participant, Ohio State Bar:
“An excellent program.”
Deanne Stodden, Participant, Colorado Bar:
“It was entertaining and informative.”
Sharon Armstrong, Associate, Greenberg Traurig:
“I am embarrassed to say that I learned some of the things I do wrong! Which is good...”
Charles Kramer, Participant, Wisconsin State Bar:
“The materials were well chosen and engaging. The speaker had an engaging presentation.”
James Barrett, Participant, New Mexico Bar Program:
“Excellent!”
Nicole Austin-Hillery, Participant, DC Bar:
“Fun and interesting. Materials were very useful.”
Brennan Price, Associate, Axinn:
“I particularly liked the focus on what judges have said and want.”
James Sherer, Associate, Dickstein Shapiro:
“Really enjoyed the Q&A interlude on specific participant questions.”
Luther Leggett, Participant, Ohio State Bar:
“You made me excited to write my next brief!”
Jenna Conley, Participant, Alaska Attorney General’s Office :
“The materials are extremely helpful. Great workshop. Your book should be in every law library, it will be in mine.”
Jay Campbell, Associate, White & Case:
“Straightforward—user friendly—offers tips that can be readily applied.”
Nikki Adame Winningham, Associate, Fulbright & Jaworski:
“Especially impressed with how well you know your materials. Hate that we cut it short for lunch—would have preferred to get the whole presentation. Thanks for all the examples—super useful!”
Teresa Pfender, Participant, New Mexico Bar Program:
“The course presentation embodied Mr. Guberman’s writing principles: well-organized and to the point. The ‘icing on the cake’: it was interesting, engaging, useful. Thank you.”
Matt Elliott, Associate, Ropes & Gray:
“I liked the presentation for its straightforward approach. There are a lot of things to think about when you sit before the blank screen, and I think the components of the presentation will lead to a good approach.”
Heather Lutzke, Participant, Wisconsin State Bar:
“I know that after your seminar, I’ll be able to put into practice the tips that you gave.”
Amelie Anderson, Participant, Ohio State Bar:
“I loved the seminar and the tips in the Toolkit.”
Dani Audette, Associate, White & Case:
“Great examples. Definitely pointed out mistakes that I have made in my writing. Tips were great. Loved the suggestions for word/ phrases that can be used to show emphasis, comparison, etc.”
Christy Pate, Participant, Ohio State Bar:
“The interaction/audience involvement is the best part of the program. Rather than lecturing, Guberman requires the audience members to think for themselves.”
Gwen Werner, Attorney, Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office:
“Extremely useful, understandable information. I came away from the course knowing exactly what I need to do on my next memo or brief.”
Luis Robles, Participant, New Mexico Bar Program:
“If you ever offer a longer course, I would love to attend.”
Participant, DC Bar:
“I thought the course was effective. It seemed geared toward more experienced writers, which I liked. It focused less on the basics and more on the big picture. It reinforced many things I think about when I write. It will continue to cause me to think about my briefs globally and about every single sentence uttered. Funny presentation also. Thanks!”
Cristina Lumpkin, Associate, White & Case:
“I liked that it was interactive. I also liked that I can use what I learned as soon as I get back to my office—even for writing memos and emails. Highly relevant—I see the mistakes you pointed out in many briefs that cross my desk.”
