Amanda’s Archive
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Amanda’s Archive
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 Write “Despite the Fact That.”
Dear Legal Writer, Don’t write “Despite the fact that.” It is the most debilitating…
The Current Entry-Level Job Market
In April 1991, I was a senior at Harvard—just one month from graduating. But…
How I Add Creativity to My Legal Writing
How I add creativity to my legal writing— (AND make it more persuasive). 3…
Don’t Lose Points on Law School Exam Essays With This 10-Step Plan
Dear 1L, Follow this 10-Step Plan so you don’t lose points on your law…
The Best Briefs Contain No Unnecessary Words
Dear Legal Writer, The best briefs contain no unnecessary words. To that end, check…
Continuing in Fields of “Law” in Uncertain Times
This post from a law student stopped me in my tracks. It took me…
A Special Easter Gift
This means so much to me. A mom with a pre-law student sent this…
Oral Argument Superpowers
I am married to someone for whom oral argument is a superpower. So here…
A Legal Brief Should Be Evergreen
Dear 1L, A legal brief should be evergreen. “Evergreen” is a term you might…
Let’s Get “i.e.” and “e.g.” Straight, Shall We?
Dear Legal Writer: Let’s get “i.e.” and “e.g.” straight, shall we? I.e. and e.g….
7 Things to Do the Summer Before Law School
When I started helping law students 4 years ago I tried to read everything…
Shape Up Your Use of “This” and “That”!
Dear Legal Writer, Shape up your use of “this” and “that”! Stop switching back…
Is OCI Dead?
(And would that be good or bad?) 👉 Only 24% of 1Ls got their…
Never Put a Comma Before Beginning Parentheses
Dear Legal Writer, Never put a comma before beginning parentheses. It’s unnecessary and considered…
Don’t Use “While” to Mean “Although”
Dear Legal Writer, Don’t use “while” to mean “although.” Here’s two examples showing why:…
♥️❤️ Get My New Template—IRAC Essay
Dear 1L, I created a new IRAC template for you. (FYI: This is NOT…
The Book I Wish I Had in Law School
In 1993, I got the lowest grade of my life during law school. It…
What Law Schools Get Right
Lawyers on LinkedIn sure do bash law schools a lot. “They don’t teach students…