I’ve Never Understood

I’ve never understood why law firms don’t give new associates a self-editing checklist.

It could list:
—the firm’s style preferences,
—each partners’ pet peeves, and
—common mistakes to search for and avoid.

That would require associates to self-edit and polish BEFORE they hand in a draft. 

Instead, associates are left to
—piece together clues from random firm models,
—fly blind about partners’ preferences, and
—cause ire by using their pet peeves.

The result?  Partners spend too much time editing, and associates get hit with walls of red ink.

It would save everyone SO much angst if there were clear ground rules in place before that occurs.

So, I’m going to try to create a set of rules for you to consider: 

I’ll leave for you to add your firm style preferences, and I can come up with a list of common mistakes I see, but I need your help with pet peeves.

These are my top 5.  👉  Would you help by adding yours below?

1:  “I resonate with that” (that’s just wrong)
2:  “utilize” (“use” will do)
3:  “the reason is because” (that’s wrong, too)
4:  “prior to” (“before” is better)
5:  “as such” (must you? then learn how to!)

***

Fondly,

💌 Amanda

🗳️ What are YOUR pet peeves?

#DearLegalWriter