[header] How to format a legal brief [title] Base your brief preparation on the particular court that's hearing your case. [step] This will determine the requirements for how you'll compose your brief. Your case will either be in federal or state court. 
[substeps] The federal court system encompasses federal district courts, federal courts of appeal, and the united states supreme court. State court systems usually have trial courts (sometimes called superior courts or circuit courts), appellate courts, and the state supreme court.