The difference between good and bad legal writing is that
good legal writing clearly conveys its message.
Not exact matches
Those who fail to recognise this will simply end up bitter and left behind; time would be
better spent reading some of the
writing that is displayed quite
clearly on the wall, and adjusting their businesses to take advantage of the new
legal landscape instead of fighting a battle that both financially and intellectually they are ill - placed to win.
Despite these
clearly written and
well thought - out Guidelines, Manitoba's recent review of these issues has resulted in a more restrictive policy that gives latitude only to members of the
legal profession and «eligible media,» while prohibiting the general public from their devices to communicate when court is in session.
In a series of interviews with
legal writing expert Bryan Garner, Supreme Court Justices affirmed the importance of briefs to the appellate process and the need for lawyers to
write clearly.7 In a recent study, Judge Richard Posner found that judges view
writing as equally if not more important than oral advocacy.8 Continuing
legal education programs offered by state bar associations frequently address the need for effective
legal writing.9 No one disputes that lawyers should
write well.10
My general advice is that LRW is the most important course in law school, that a vast amount of
legal practice in any field involves
writing, that the ability to translate and explain
clearly to clients and others is a major part of their jobs, and that if they can internalize the form of a
good legal memo, they can apply that skill more easily and successfully on law school exams.
If you want to be influential, you have to address important
legal subjects that courts are grappling with,
write clearly and concisely, effectively communicate that you fully understand the
legal landscape of where the doctrine currently is, and then provide a balanced, nuanced, and
well - supported argument for why your proposed step forward is the right move to make.