The Journal of Appellate Practice and Process Publishes Summer 2026 Issue
The University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law and the National Institute for Trial Advocacy have released the Summer 2026 issue of The Journal of Appellate Practice and Process (Volume 26, Issue 2). The common theme throughout the issue is the power of words.
“Which is more powerful—the spoken word or the written word? Does a well-delivered speech inspire more than an inspirational writing? In law, and in life, the answer is the same. “It depends,” writes Journal Editor-in-Chief Tessa L. Dysart, assistant director of legal writing at Arizona Law. “As I pondered over this issue of the Journal, I realized that each of our articles, essays, and book reviews deal directly with the written or spoken word—often advocating for one over the other. Since I love to find a theme that pulls the issue together, I was thrilled to find this unexpected thread flowing through each piece.”
The first article by Michael K. Velchik takes a deep dive into the use of etymology by jurists, philosophers and courts to find the meaning of words—going as far back as ancient Greece. Professor Jessica K. Webb argues that the oral argument process provides judges with more opportunity to think deliberatively, which can reduce reasoning errors related to intuitive decision-making. Professor Christine Venter’s article explores the barriers women face in fully participating in oral argument, especially at the Supreme Court level. Judge Curtis E. A. Karnow reminds everyone that writing is an expressive human act and points out the many flaws of AI. The issue closes with three book reviews. Stephen Mayer, reviews John Snow’s recent book “Rules to Speak By,” Professor Tenielle Fordyce-Ruff reviews Professor Ann Ching and Judge David B. Gass’s new book “Contemporary Appellate Advocacy,” and finally Vanessa A. Kubota reviews Judge David D. Weinzweig’s new book “Zen and the Art of Persuasive Writing.”