Legal Definitions - Brandeis brief

A Brandeis brief is a type of legal brief that includes social and economic studies in addition to legal principles and citations. It is usually used in appellate cases.

The brief is named after Supreme Court Justice Louis D. Brandeis, who filed the most famous Brandeis brief in Muller v. Oregon. In this case, he used social and economic studies to persuade the Court to uphold a statute setting a maximum ten-hour workday for women.

For example, a lawyer might use a Brandeis brief in a case involving discrimination in the workplace. The brief could include studies on the economic impact of discrimination and how it affects individuals and society as a whole. This information could help persuade the court to rule in favor of the plaintiff.