Amanda’s Blog
My letters are often described as a light in the storm. I share the unwritten rules that no law professor will ever tell you. I aspire to simplify and improve the quality of your law school journey and to promote your greatest possible success there. A significant portion of my letters is also meant for all lawyers and law students. I write a lot about legal writing (my greatest passion). Thank you for reading!
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Categories: Dear 1L, Dear 2L, Legal Writing, Spotlight
Dear 1L: on “However, …”
Dear 1L: On Starting a Sentence with “However,”
Dear 1L: MSJ Primer
Dear 1L, Most of you are writing summary judgment briefs this spring. You approach…
Dear 1L: IRAC Outline – Standing
Dear 1L, Here is the start of an outline template for an IRAC exam…
Dear 1L: Interview Tips
Dear 1L, I have been conducting mock Zoom interviews of law students during the…
Recent Posts
Don’t Use “As” to Mean “Because”
Dear Legal Writer, Don’t use “as” to mean “because” in legal writing. “As” has…
Sample IRAC Essay: Article III Standing
Dear 1L, I’ve been feeling guilty that I haven’t written to you more this…
We Have a Cover!
I’m finally becoming less anxious and more excited as the self-publishing process proceeds, so…
Final Exam Tip
Dear 1L, You will likely be using supplements, hornbooks, and outlines from past years…
Rising 1L, Hello and Welcome!
I’ve been so excited for your arrival and will have loads to say in…
Read It Aloud
Before you hand in that draft, read it aloud. Not to yourself.Not in your…
How to Find a Mentor
In another FB group, an anonymous 1L asked: “This may sound silly, but how…
What to do the Summer Before Law School
Going to law school? Here are tips for this summer: 1: Relax and enjoy! …
I’ve Never Understood
I’ve never understood why law firms don’t give new associates a self-editing checklist. It…
Two Hats
Dear 1L, My secret to law-school exams was wearing 2 hats. I wore them…
The em-dash How-to
Dear Legal Writer: Spice up your prose with the EM-DASH. Here’s a full how-to:…
How Do You Spell BigLaw?
How does one spell it: Big Law?I’ve seen it done every which way. How…
You Never Really “Know” a Case Until You Go to Write About It
Dear 1L, Hi. I hope you’re hanging in ok. I’ve had students tell me…
I Feel Like I Work at LinkedIn
I originally posted on LinkedIn to try to find law students who might need…
What Does “Networking” Mean?
We lawyers on LinkedIn always say: “Law students need to be ‘networking!’” I, of…
By Oci, It’s Going to Be Too Late
Dear 1L, Please don’t ignore these statistics! ▪️ Last year, large law firms made…
Dear 1L,
There’s a growing problem in the legal industry: New lawyers “don’t know how to…
I’ve written a book!
There’s a growing problem in the legal industry: “New lawyers don’t know how to…