Dear 1L: Comprise vs. Compose
Dear 1L, You are misusing the words “comprise” and “compose.” I concede: I, too,…
Dear 1L: When to capitalize “court”
Dear 1L, I’m keeping a list of recurring mistakes in law-student writing samples. This…
2022 | Dear 1L | Legal Writing
Dear 1L: Ban “in order to”
Dear 1L, If you’re someone who routinely writes the phrase “in order to,” I…
2022 | Dear 1L | Legal Writing
Dear 1L, Before you send in your resume,
Dear 1L, Before you send in your resume, hold yours up to light. Then…
Dear 1L, Please stop writing “they” when referring to “company”
Dear 1L, Please stop writing “they” when referring to “company.” If you question that,…
Dear 1L: Prior to vs. Before
Dear 1L, If you write “prior to” instead of “before,” I am curious. Why?…
Dear 1L: Since vs. Because
Dear 1L, When I look at drafts of your writing, I strike almost every…
Dear 1L: OCI Writing Samples
Dear 1L, When finalizing your writing samples for this summer’s law-firm recruiting (aka, OCI,…
2022 | Dear 1L | Legal Writing
Dear 1L: Law Review Write-On Competition 1
Dear 1L, I’m working on an end-of-exams congratulations letter, but I know you…
Dear 1L: Who is this legal writing coach?
Dear 1L, I’ve never been good at promoting myself publicly. I know it’s a…
“Affect” vs. “Effect”
Dear 1L, Are you one of the billions who (according to Google) has searched…
Dear 1L: Grammar & Usage Tips
Dear 1L, Before I was doing what I do now, part of my law…