Federal Practice Manual for Legal Aid Attorneys: 1.2.17 Advantages and Disadvantages of Amicus Participation
Many traditional public interest law organizations have long favored amicus participation as a resource-efficient way to concentrate their advocacy upon cases which appear poised for a precedent-setting decision in order to obtain the most direct and immediate impact for their constituents. Direct litigation may consume years of time and expenses with no guarantees that the outcome, even if favorable, will establish any lasting precedent.