Legal Writing Training

Leidos is seeking an experienced Legal Writing Trainer to deliver intensive instruction in strategic and written appellate advocacy skills relevant to criminal cases. The trainer will design and facilitate a highly interactive program that combines best-practice instruction with hands‑on application to a case reviewed by participants in advance of the training.

The training engagement includes:

• Developing and/or refining a curriculum and training materials for appellate advocacy and persuasive legal writing (billable preparation time expected prior to delivery).
• Delivering instructor‑led training over 2-3 consecutive days, 7 hours per day (excluding lunch), for a total of 21 instructional hours.
• Providing coaching, mentoring, and constructive feedback as participants apply techniques to a case reviewed in preparation for the course.
• Aligning instruction to a defense perspective in criminal appeals whenever possible (representing the person convicted of the crime(s)).
• Supporting Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credit eligibility when feasible, including providing documentation required for accreditation (preferred).

Instruction will cover both theory and interactive application, including:

• Analyzing trial records and identifying relevant issues for appeal.
• Brainstorming a theory of the case and potential appellate issues based on record review.
• Developing a persuasive appellate narrative from the facts of the case.
• Building an appellate strategy and organizing arguments for maximum impact.
• Drafting a persuasive appellate brief incorporating advanced persuasive techniques such as:
• Storytelling elements and narrative structure.
• Primacy, recency, and strategic repetition.
• Fact‑based, evocative, image‑creating language and/or graphics.
• Effective transitions, clarity, and juxtaposition.
• Writing an effective and persuasive Statement of Facts in an appellate brief.

Participants:
Approximately 6 attendees in 2026 (estimated 2-8 attendees in future years).

Delivery format:
Training will be conducted in person (not virtual). Joint Base Andrews is preferred; other locations within the National Capital Region (Washington, DC area) are acceptable.

• Design and deliver a structured, engaging legal writing and appellate advocacy training program for a small cohort of legal professionals.
• Translate complex appellate strategy concepts into clear, practical guidance supported by examples and exercises.
• Facilitate interactive discussions and workshops to reinforce learning outcomes and participant confidence.
• Review participant work product (as applicable) and provide timely, specific, and constructive feedback.
• Maintain professionalism and confidentiality when discussing sensitive case information and trial records.
• Coordinate logistics and expectations with Leidos stakeholders, including curriculum alignment, schedule, and onsite requirements.

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school.
• Substantial, high‑quality legal practice experience reviewing appellate records and performing written appellate advocacy.
• Demonstrated ability to teach, mentor, and provide constructive feedback on appellate strategy, issue development from appellate records, and appellate writing best practices.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust clearance (offer contingent upon clearance eligibility/approval).

• Appellate advocacy experience in criminal cases (preferred).
• Prior teaching experience in written appellate advocacy (preferred).
• Ability to deliver training from a defense‑oriented criminal appeals perspective (preferred).
• Ability to support CLE credit qualification for the training (preferred).

This position is classified as 100% remote for day‑to‑day work. However, the trainer must be able to travel to and deliver in‑person training sessions in the National Capital Region. Joint Base Andrews (MD) is the preferred location for delivery.