HOW TO BRIEF A CASE I. Distinctions A. A case brief is a dissection of a judicial opinion -- it contains a written summary of the basic components of that decision. B. Persuasive briefs (trial and appellate) are the formal documents a lawyer files with a court in support of his or her client's position. II. Functions of case briefing A. Case briefing helps you acquire the skills of case analysis and legal reasoning. Briefing a case helps you understand it. B. Case briefing aids your memory. Briefs help you remember the cases you read (1) for class discussion, (2) for end-of-semester review for final examinations, and (3) for writing and analyzing legal problems. Do not try to memorize case briefs. Learning law is a process of problem solving through legal reasoning. Cases must be read in light of the series of cases with which they appear in your casebook or on the class syllabus