Assistance in Preparing Rule Compliant Briefs

System Generated Brief Template

To help filers prepare their briefs, we offer electronic filers templates in Microsoft Word formatted to comply with court rules and customized for the party filing the brief.  The document contains the proper caption, specific to the filers' case, as well as an outline of all the necessary sections required in the briefs in the proper sequence.

To use the template, attorneys must login to CM/ECF, then click Utilities and select Brief Template tab.  For this program to work, filers must have Active PACER Viewing Status on their CM/ECF filer account and must have previously filed a Form for Appearance of Counsel in the case. (Pro se parties must contact the CM/ECF Help Desk for a template at ca05_cmecf@ca5.uscourts.gov.) 

Check My Brief

We also will perform a courtesy review of your brief to ensure it complies with FRAP and local rules.

To use this feature, login to CM/ECF, then click Utilities and select Check PDF Document.  For this program to work, filers must have Active PACER Viewing Status on their CM/ECF filer account.

Guides

The guides below were created to help both attorney and pro se filers in preparing their documents with our court.

Checklist for Preparation of Briefs, Record Excerpts and Motions

Fifth Circuit Form 1 - Record References Guide

Anders Guidelines 

Anders Checklist

Sample Briefs

This document contains one example of each type of brief as well as detailed instructions regarding citations to the record on appeal.

Sample Briefs and Record Citations