Read It Aloud
Before you hand in that draft, read it aloud. Not to yourself.Not in your…
I’ve Never Understood
I’ve never understood why law firms don’t give new associates a self-editing checklist. It…
The em-dash How-to
Dear Legal Writer: Spice up your prose with the EM-DASH. Here’s a full how-to:…
Dear 1L,
There’s a growing problem in the legal industry: New lawyers “don’t know how to…
2024 | Dear 1L | Legal Writing
I’ve written a book!
There’s a growing problem in the legal industry: “New lawyers don’t know how to…
3 Rules on “phrasal adjectives”
My LinkedIn tagline says “legal writing coach,” but wait— Instead, should it say, “legal-writing…
Vary your sentence length
Dear Legal Writer, Some experts advise, “Keep most sentences short.” Others say, “Aim for…
Sample Sentences for Summary Judgment Briefs — PLUS: a rare video appearance
Dear 1L, I’m not too good at this making-movies-of-myself thing, but I got up…
Transition Phrases
Dear 1L, These are some words and phrases I used to use as transitions…
Be careful how you define a term in a brief—a joint post with Lindsey Lawton.
Dear Legal Writer, I was reviewing a few 1L fall memos this week, and…
Self-doubt and self-sabotage/book
Self-doubt and self-sabotage. Why I’ve been scared to talk about my book on LinkedIn:…
The legal profession needs teachers
Dear Legal Writer, No one enjoys receiving negative feedback, but no one enjoys giving it,…