Supreme Court of Wisconsin

Brief and appendix rules we apply — State appeal, $299.

Format

Type: Times New Roman 13 pt, 1.5-spaced
Margins: Margins: top 1", right 1.25", bottom 1", left 1.25"
Opening brief: 11,000 words or 50 pages
Reply brief: 3,000 words or 13 pages
What counts: Counts only statement of the case, argument and conclusion (809.19(1)(d)-(f)); pages apply to monospaced/handwritten briefs
Rules: Wisconsin Statutes ch. 809 (Rules of Appellate Procedure) — Wis. Stat. § 809.19(8)(b)-(bm) (proportional serif 13-pt body, 11-pt block quotes/footnotes, body line spacing 1.15-1.5, block quotes and footnotes single-spaced; or monospaced 10 cpi double-spaced); Wis. Stat. § 809.19(8)(c)

Parts of the brief, in order

Cover — Required · Wis. Stat. § 809.19(8)
TABLE OF CONTENTS — Required · Wis. Stat. § 809.19(1)(a)
TABLE OF AUTHORITIES — Required · Wis. Stat. § 809.19(1)(a)
STATEMENT OF THE ISSUES — Required · Wis. Stat. § 809.19(1)(b)
STATEMENT ON ORAL ARGUMENT AND PUBLICATION — Required · Wis. Stat. § 809.19(1)(c)
STATEMENT OF THE CASE — Required · Wis. Stat. § 809.19(1)(d)
ARGUMENT — Required · Wis. Stat. § 809.19(1)(e)
CONCLUSION — Required · Wis. Stat. § 809.19(1)(f)
Signature block — Required · Wis. Stat. § 809.19
CERTIFICATION AS TO FORM/LENGTH — Required · Wis. Stat. § 809.19(8g)(a)
APPENDIX — Required · Wis. Stat. § 809.19(2)

Argument headings: Argument arranged in order of issues; each issue preceded by a one-sentence summary; contentions with reasons and citations to authorities, statutes and record

Standard of review: Within the argument for each issue (conventional; statute requires statement of issues and how trial court decided them)

Record citations: (R. 25:3) record document number:page (convention); App. pages cited separately

Appendix

Required. Pages are numbered like App. 12. (Wis. Stat. § 809.19(2))

table of contents (title, page number, circuit court document number)
findings or opinion of circuit court
unpublished opinions cited
limited record portions essential to the issues

Separate appendix certification required (809.19(8g)(b))

Certificates

Compliance: 'I hereby certify that this brief conforms to the rules contained in s. 809.19 (8) (b), (bm), and (c) for a brief. The length of this brief is ___ words.'
Service: Service via e-filing system; paper parties served by traditional methods
Appendix certification (809.19(8g)(b))

Good to know

Merits briefs after review is granted follow § 809.19 form and length (via § 809.63 - not re-verified)
Petition for review length/contents in § 809.62 (not verified; site blocked)

Filing: Wisconsin appellate electronic filing system (mandatory for attorneys); paper parties file one copy

Questions

What font and spacing does the Supreme Court of Wisconsin require for briefs?

Times New Roman 13 pt, 1.5-spaced; margins: top 1", right 1.25", bottom 1", left 1.25" (Wis. Stat. § 809.19(8)(b)-(bm) (proportional serif 13-pt body, 11-pt block quotes/footnotes, body line spacing 1.15-1.5, block quotes and footnotes single-spaced; or monospaced 10 cpi double-spaced)).

How long can an opening brief be in the Supreme Court of Wisconsin?

11,000 words or 50 pages (Wis. Stat. § 809.19(8)(c)). Reply brief: 3,000 words or 13 pages.

What goes in the appendix?

Appendix: table of contents (title, page number, circuit court document number); findings or opinion of circuit court; unpublished opinions cited; limited record portions essential to the issues.