Basic Concepts

• Legal writing


  Any type of writing within the legal profession that seeks to confer legal information to others that is usually clear, concise, and above all, accurate
• Legal writing


  • Requires a thorough understanding of the law and legal principles, as well as the ability to communicate complex legal concepts in a clear and concise manner
• Common forms of legal writings

  • Briefs
  • Memoranda
  • Client letters
  • Judicial opinions
• Legal writing


  • Demands critical thinking as well as the ability to express analysis of an issue and seeks to persuade others depending on the situation
• Legal writing


  • Requires critical reading and understanding of other legal materials
• Legal writing


  • Requires mastery in essay writing (persuasive and argumentative) and opinion writing (legal analysis)
• Types of legal writing

  • Balanced analysis of a legal problem or issue (e.g. legal opinion, letters to clients)
  • Persuasive (e.g. appellate briefs, negotiation letters written on a client's behalf)
• Basic/common features in legal writing

  • Clarity and conciseness - Use short sentences
  • Persuasive argumentation
  • Logical organization
  • Proper citation of legal sources
  • Attention to detail
  • Ethical considerations
  • Target audience
• Purpose of legal writing

  To communicate complex legal concepts in a clear and concise manner
• Purposes of legal writing

  • Academic (e.g. write legal essays and assignments, preparing legal opinions, answering problem solving questions)
  • Legal practice (e.g. write letters to clients and corresponding counsels, write legal opinions and judgement, drafting cause papers (court documents))
• Writing tools


  • Online: AI, Grammarly, Grammar & Language Features in Google Docs or Microsoft Words
  • Hard copy: List of Useful Academic Terms & Phrases
  • Reference Manager: Mendeley, EndNote
• Writing, like anything else, is a practiced skill
• Some people are born knowing how to write intuitively better than others, but that doesn't mean you can't improve no matter what your competency is in legal writing
• All of legal writing can be pared down to the same elements: well-organized, concise, focused, with ample demonstration of key facts and a strong conclusion
• Take the time to practice these skills. All lawyers write, but good writing skills will set you apart from the competition