Becoming A Legal Writer

From a master teacher and writer, a fully revised and updated edition of the results-oriented approach to legal writing that is clear, that persuades—and that WINS. More than almost any profession, the law has a deserved reputation for opaque, jargon-clogged writing. Yet forceful writing is one of the most potent weapons of legal advocacy. In this new edition of Writing to Win, Steven D. Stark, a former lecturer on law at Harvard Law School, who has inspired thousands of aspiring and practicing lawyers, applies the universal principles of powerful, vigorous prose to the job of making a legal case—and winning it. Writing to Win focuses on the writing of lawyers, not judges, and includes dozens of examples of effective (and ineffective) real-life legal writing—as well as compelling models drawn from advertising, journalism, and fiction. It deals with the challenges lawyers face in writing, from organization to strengthening and editing prose; offers incisive ways of improving arguments; addresses litigation and technical writing in all its forms; and covers the writing attorneys must perform in their daily practice, from email memos to briefs and contracts. Each chapter opens with a succinct set of rules for easy reference. With new sections on client communication and drafting affidavits, as well as updated material throughout, Writing to Win is the most practical and efficacious legal-writing manual available.

“This easy-to-follow guide is useful both as a general course of instruction and as a targeted aid in solving particular legal writing problems.” —Harvard Law Review Clear, concise, down-to-earth, and powerful—all too often, legal writing embodies none of these qualities. Its reputation for obscurity and needless legalese is widespread. For more than twenty years, Bryan A. Garner’s Legal Writing in Plain English has helped address this problem by providing lawyers, judges, paralegals, law students, and legal scholars with sound advice and practical tools for improving their written work. The leading guide to clear writing in the field, this indispensable volume encourages legal writers to challenge conventions and offers valuable insights into the writing process that will appeal to other professionals: how to organize ideas, create and refine prose, and improve editing skills. Accessible and witty, Legal Writing in Plain English draws on real-life writing samples that Garner has gathered through decades of teaching. Trenchant advice covers all types of legal materials, from analytical and persuasive writing to legal drafting, and the book’s principles are reinforced by sets of basic, intermediate, and advanced exercises in each section. In this new edition, Garner preserves the successful structure of the original while adjusting the content to make it even more classroom-friendly. He includes case examples from the past decade and addresses the widespread use of legal documents in electronic formats. His book remains the standard guide for producing the jargon-free language that clients demand and courts reward. “Those who are willing to approach the book systematically and to complete the exercises will see dramatic improvements in their writing.” —Law Library Journal

Focusing on the argumentative, narrative, and descriptive style found in legal briefs and judicial opinions, this text should be a thought provoking examination of effective argumentation in law.

Practicing law can be a satisfying and rewarding career-but it's not for everyone. Many lawyers desire change but don't know what to do next or how to do it. In this book, Jay Harrington teaches how to make the leap from practicing lawyer to freelance writer.Want to learn what it takes to build a successful career writing for clients? Need a blueprint for marketing your writing services? Struggling with the mental hurdles that stop many lawyers from leaving the practicing law? Harrington shares the lessons he learned while running a successful writing business over the last decade. From personal branding to pricing, and marketing to mindset, Harrington shows you how to get your writing business off the ground so you can gain the freedom and flexibility that comes with being your own boss.

The Handbook for the New Legal Writer teaches the concepts and skills covered in the first-year legal writing and research course in a way that meets the needs of today’s law students. The coursebook’s focus is on showing, not telling, students how to write effective legal documents using numerous examples and step-by-step instruction. The authors provide practical lessons on the basic writing and research tasks attorneys perform daily and include annotated samples written by judges, practitioners, and the authors. The text covers objective writing, persuasive writing, legal research, and citation using a “handbook” format, allowing easy access to key information. It also provides the option of using the book as a reference tool later in law practice. New to the Second Edition: Updated and expanded approaches to writing Questions Presented Expanded instruction on how to write shorter and less formal legal memos to reflect an increasingly modern approach Dozens of new examples from recently decided cases and additional examples of commonly prepared legal documents, including objective memos, emails, letters, and motions A new, short chapter on the IRAC organizational structure, guiding students on how to write law school exam answers and bar exam essays Updated guidance on writing style and grammar to reflect an increasingly modern approach in legal writing. For example, most Supreme Court justices now use contractions regularly and use "since" interchangeably with "because" even though the vast majority of legal writing textbooks advise otherwise. Professors and students will benefit from: Comprehensive coverage of all first-year legal writing topics (predictive and persuasive writing, grammar and writing style, professional correspondence, judicial writing, oral argument, research, and citation)—allowing students to use one book for all two (or three) semesters Concise and readable style that makes the book a “breath of fresh air” from other assigned law school reading Easy-to-grasp concept of “anchors” that move new law students from effective case reading and briefing to effective legal writing A multitude of annotated examples to show students how to put their legal writing skills into practice and to illustrate how to write commonly assigned documents, including objective memos, emails, letters, judicial opinions, persuasive motions, and appellate briefs

Who says legal writing is a dull subject? This collection of lively, offbeat short pieces explores legal style like no book you''ve read before. But be warned: you just might learn something while you''re smiling. Through a colorful cast of characters, learn how legal writers can use plain language and careful syntax to produce clearer, stronger, and more persuasive documents. Will legalese devotee Ebenezer Scribe change his ways after receiving visits from four clarity-minded ghosts? Will Colonel Ketchup''s passive-voice phrasing obscure whodunit? Will Editor Man defeat his most formidable foe yet: a dense block of statutory text containing, among other things, a 142-word sentence? And much more . . . But this book isn''t all fun and games. It weaves in real-world examples and commentary from judges and writing experts, giving fresh insight into how readers--especially judges--view the rote style choices that many legal writers never question. You''ll also find helpful tips and before-and-after comparisons. In short, whether a legal professional, a law student, or a writing fan of any kind, a reader will learn concrete lessons--backed by authority--on the best practices for legal writing. And although this book isn''t intended to replace a traditional textbook, teachers can use these vignettes and essays to reinforce classroom lessons and make challenging concepts more accessible to students. "This is a clever little book. It is a perfect bedtime read; each chapter is just the right length to improve your writing by a single increment between retiring to bed and sleep''s arrival. But it won''t put you to sleep, as most books with ''style'' in the title tend to do. With its whimsical tone, it engages, amuses, and sneakily instructs. And it seems to have been written with the maxim in mind that one of my professors imparted to me when he learned I would be teaching law: ''You can only teach three things in an hour. And three are enough.'' Each chapter focuses on a particular rule or technique of good writing, clearly explaining how to incorporate it into one''s compositional arsenal." -- Frederick Baker Jr., Michigan Bar Journal "I just finished reading Sketches on Legal Style by Mark Cooney, and I loved it. Lots of practical advice in a readable, engaging book. I recommend it." -- Wayne Schiess, Legalwriting.net Blog "[Cooney''s] new book, Sketches on Legal Style, is fun, easy reading. It''s a collection of essays on legal writing, each delivered in a unique, humorous style. Two examples: ''A Legal-Writing Carol'' in the style of Charles Dickens''s A Christmas Carol; ''The Pleading,'' a poetic lament in the style of Edgar Allan Poe''s The Raven. Speaking of Dickens, this little book would be a great stocking stuffer for the law student or legal-writing geek in your life (including yourself!)." -- the (new) legal writer blog "Prof. Cooney''s mantra-like theme is that clarity equals persuasion. He also readily demonstrates the converse; that inflated writing is distracting and easily put down. This lesson in precision should strike a chord with litigators of all flavors. ...What makes Prof. Cooney''s book notable is his use of story to teach these points. As trial lawyers, we know that stories are compelling. Stories are absorbed and remembered. Stories are powerful. And Prof. Cooney is a master of the craft." -- Chad Engelhardt, Michigan State Bar''s Negligence Law Section E-News "[T]hese short, funny pieces aren''t just for academics--they are for all lovers of good writing who just wanna have fun. ...In just 100 pages, Mark Cooney brings to life the world of words and clear sentences. He uses real-world examples (with footnotes!), coupled with witty stories and essays. Sketches on Legal Style makes the case for plain language, and if the medicine goes down with a laugh, so much the better." -- Clarity (Journal of the international association promoting plain legal language) "A Legal-Writing Carol," the book''s first chapter, is a "sure-to-be-classic legal-writing take on Dickens'' holiday favorite." -- Legal Writing Prof Blog

This may come as a shock, but brilliant writing and clever wordplay do not a published author make. True, you’ll actually have to write if you want to be a writer, but ultimately literary success is about much more than putting pen to paper (or fingers to keys). Before you snap your pencil in half with frustration, please consider the advice writer, teacher, and self-made lit star Ariel Gore offers in this useful guide to realizing your literary dreams. If you find yourself writing when you should be sleeping and scribbling notes on odd pieces of paper at every stoplight, you might as well enjoy the fruits of your labor. How to Become a Famous Writer Before You’re Dead is an irreverent yet practical guide that combines solid writing advice with guerrilla marketing and promotion techniques guaranteed to launch you into print—and into the limelight. You’ll learn how to: • Reimagine yourself as a buzz-worthy artist and entrepreneur• Get your work and your name out in the world where other people can read it• Be an anthology slut and a brazen self-promoter• Apply real-world advice and experience from lit stars like Dave Barry, Susie Bright, and Dave Eggers to your own careerCheaper than an M.F.A. but just as informative, How to Become a Famous Writer Before You’re Dead is your catapult to lit stardom. Just don’t forget to thank Ariel Gore for her inspiring, hands-on plan in the acknowledgments page of your first novel!

Combining two groundbreaking texts for predictive and persuasive writing in one volume, The Mindful Legal Writer: Mastering Predictive and Persuasive Writing, raises awareness of important elements in the legal writing process—such as pacing, purpose, context, analysis, logic, and clarity. Progressing from a mastery of the basics to a professional level of legal communication in client representation and advocacy, Heidi K. Brown’s classroom-tested pedagogy illustrates the pivotal role of written communication for lawyers.

The Handbook for the New Legal Writer, Third Edition, is the practical guide to the foundational skills that law students need. With concise and easy-to-follow instructions, a variety of annotated examples, and the clarifying concept of “anchors,” the Handbook is a student-centered text that engages and accompanies students throughout the first-year legal writing course, and beyond. Buy a new version of this textbook and receive access to the Connected eBook on CasebookConnect, including: lifetime access to the online ebook with highlight, annotation, and search capabilities, plus an outline tool and other helpful resources. Connected eBooks provide what you need most to be successful in your law school classes. The Handbook for the New Legal Writer focuses on showing (not telling) students how to write effective legal documents using step-by-step instructions and annotated examples. The Handbook uses the term “anchors” throughout to help students deepen their understanding and analysis of legal questions. In an easy-to-read style, the Handbook guides students through the entire first-year legal research, writing, and analysis curriculum. The Handbook covers predictive and persuasive writing in the form of memos, motions, and appellate briefs; as well as professional correspondence in the form of emails, letters, and instant messages; exam writing; judicial writing; oral argument; legal research and citation; and grammar, punctuation, and style. For each topic, the Handbook provides examples (written by the authors or by judges and practicing attorneys), along with detailed explanations that demonstrate how to write with care and clarity. The Handbook is a resource that will guide students throughout law school and into their legal careers. New to the Third Edition: New sidebars throughout the text that address issues of mindfulness, wellness, equity, and inclusion that are important to students More samples of legal documents, prepared by the authors More examples of excellent legal writing by judges and attorneys Professors and students will benefit from: Comprehensive coverage of all first-year legal writing topics: predictive and persuasive writing, grammar and writing style, professional correspondence, exam writing, judicial writing, oral argument, research, and citation Concise and readable text The authors’ original “anchors” concept that helps students recognize salient facts or points of law in case reading and analysis Short and longer annotated examples (written by judges, practitioners, and the authors) illustrate effective legal writing in various formats, including objective memos, correspondence, persuasive memos, motions, appellate briefs, and mor Checklists at the end of each chapter for study and review