Legal Research

"A Legal Writing Consultant Offers Attorneys Advice"

This post was written by Mister Thorne: "You might say that Marilyn Bush LeLeiko has lots of experience as a legal writing consultant: she's been at it since 1987, and she's helped attorneys at more than half of the top 100 AmLaw firms improve their legal writing skills.

And you might say she knows how to satisfy clients, else she could not have amassed an impressive array of testimonials from so many satisfied clients -- including, but not limited to, attorneys and managing partners from some of the best known law firms, and general counsel of the largest government agencies.

If you're an attorney and you want to improve your legal writing skills, consider Marilyn's advice. And if you don't think you need to improve your writing skills, think again. There's always room for improvement.

What do judges want (or not want) to see in an attorney's writing?

Clarity is key. Judges are very busy...

Clear organization is an important element of clarity...

Conciseness is also vital...

Writing skills -- just how important are they to an attorney?

It depends on the practice area and the work environment. For most attorneys, writing skills are very important. You need to communicate with your supervisor, with your client, with co-counsel and opposing counsel, and (if you're a litigator) with the court..."

Full text and active links are available by clicking on the author's name.

Source: Set in Style, 15 June 2010, reproduced with permission of the author.   

Full post as published by Stark County Law Library Blawg on June 21, 2010 (boomark / email).