United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit

Format

Type

Times New Roman 12 pt, double-spaced

Margins

1-inch margins

Opening brief

14,000 words or 30 pages

Reply brief

7,000 words or 15 pages

What counts

Excludes cover, disclosure statement, TOC, TOA, glossary, statement regarding oral argument, addendum of statutes/rules, certificates of counsel, signature block, proof of service, and any item the rule exempts (FRAP 32(f)); headings, footnotes, quotations count

Rules

FRAP and Seventh Circuit Rules — 7th Cir. R. 32(b); 7th Cir. R. 32(c)

Parts of the brief, in order

1. Cover — Required · FRAP 32(a)(2)
2. DISCLOSURE STATEMENT — If applicable · FRAP 26.1; 7th Cir. R. 26.1
3. TABLE OF CONTENTS — Required · FRAP 28(a)(2)
4. TABLE OF AUTHORITIES — Required · FRAP 28(a)(3)
5. JURISDICTIONAL STATEMENT — Required · FRAP 28(a)(4); 7th Cir. R. 28(a) (appellee must state appellant's is complete and correct or supply one: 28(b))
6. STATEMENT OF THE ISSUES — Required · FRAP 28(a)(5)
7. STATEMENT OF THE CASE — Required · FRAP 28(a)(6)
8. SUMMARY OF THE ARGUMENT — Required · FRAP 28(a)(7)
9. ARGUMENT — Required · FRAP 28(a)(8)
10. CONCLUSION — Required · FRAP 28(a)(9)
11. Signature block — Required · FRAP 32(d)
12. CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE — If applicable · FRAP 28(a)(10), 32(g)
13. CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE — If applicable · FRAP 25(d)
14. CIRCUIT RULE 30(d) STATEMENT — Required · 7th Cir. R. 30(d)
15. REQUIRED SHORT APPENDIX — Required · 7th Cir. R. 30(a)-(b)

Argument headings: Argument divided under numbered/lettered point headings (e.g. 'I.', 'A.'); all headings reproduced in TOC; contentions with citations to authorities and the record (FRAP 28(a)(8)(A))

Standard of review: For each issue, a concise statement of the applicable standard of review, in the argument or under a separate heading placed before discussion of the issues (FRAP 28(a)(8)(B))

Record citations: (SA 5) / (A. 12) / (R. 23 at 4) — convention; format not verified in rule text

Short Appendix

Required. Pages are numbered like SA12. (7th Cir. R. 30(a)-(d))

• table of contents
• judgment or order appealed from
• opinion, memorandum or oral statement of reasons
• magistrate judge report/ALJ decision if any
• other rulings under review

Rule 30(a) materials bound with the brief (short appendix, ~50-page guideline); Rule 30(b) materials may go in a separate appendix (white cover). Counsel must certify under 30(d) that all required materials are included — false certification risks fines/summary affirmance (United States v. Rogers, 270 F.3d 1076).

Certificates

• Compliance: Certificate that the brief complies with the type-volume limit, stating the number of words (or lines) per the word-processing count; Form 6 may be used (FRAP 32(g)(1))
• Service: Proof of service showing date and manner of service, names and addresses (FRAP 25(d)); not required for papers served via CM/ECF on registered users per circuit rule
• Circuit Rule 30(d) statement that all materials required by 7th Cir. R. 30(a)-(b) are included
• Disclosure statement (7th Cir. R. 26.1)

Good to know

• Appellee brief may omit jurisdiction, issues, case statement and standard of review unless dissatisfied with appellant's (FRAP 28(b))
• Pro se litigants: FRAP 32 limits apply; handwritten/informal briefs and appendix exemptions vary by circuit (see below)
• Font: 12-pt minimum text, 11-pt footnotes (7th Cir. R. 32(b)); Practitioner's Handbook gives typography guidance
• Pro se: 14,000 words/30 typed pages (50 handwritten); reply 7,000/15 (25 handwritten); attach final order and judgment; extra documents under 50 pages; one copy of brief
• Supplemental authority letters max 350 words (7th Cir. R. 28(e))

Filing: CM/ECF; paper copies suspended by order of 3/31/2020 'until further notice' except for pro se service and cases set for argument (checklist otherwise lists 15 brief / 10 appendix copies)