The U.S. Supreme Court rarely offers practice pointers to the advocates who appear before it. But it did just that on March 23, when it admonished members of the Supreme Court bar to use “plain terms” when they write briefs.

“It’s always good to be reminded to tell your story simply,” said Lisa Blatt (left), head of the Supreme Court and appellate practice at Arnold & Porter. “Everyone needs to follow the golden rule: Pretend you are the judge and you have to read the brief.”