The purpose of the conference was to educate State and local lawyers in techniques of presenting a case before the high Court and to improve the quality of State and local advocacy. The mission of the conference was to reach the widest audience of State and local attorneys and to provide ideas and information on making more effective oral and written presentations to the Supreme Court. In addition, the conference provided a unique opportunity for panel discussions concerning important principles of effective appellate advocacy. The conferences provided expert training in four major categories: preparation for oral argument, presentation of an oral argument, presentation of petitions and oppositions, and techniques for writing briefs for parties and for amicus curiae.