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!
Follow me on LinkedIn | Buy me a coffee
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
Dear 1L,
There’s a growing problem in the legal industry: New lawyers “don’t know how to…
Dear 1L,
Law-school recruiting is in crisis. I’m trying to create a timeline to give current…
Dear 1L,
What a fabulous afternoon walking in Central Park, chatting w/ a dear friend from…
Dear 1L,
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…
i.e. vs. e.g.
Dear Legal Writer: Let’s get “i.e.” and “e.g.” straight, shall we? I confess, I’m…
Newsletter Announcement
Dear Legal Writer, “3 Bullets.” That’s the name of a new newsletter you should…
Transition Phrases
Dear 1L, These are some words and phrases I used to use as transitions…
Cover Letters: 5 Tips for Law Students
I don’t give out model cover letters for a reason. A “model” is the…
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:…
Podcast with Nate Crespo
If no one in your family went to law school,and if you didn’t grow…
Fridays in February
Dear 1L, Hi. I am going to try to start trying to write to…
The legal profession needs teachers
Dear Legal Writer, No one enjoys receiving negative feedback, but no one enjoys giving it,…
LinkedIn Q&A
“Should I accept a LinkedIn connection request from someone I don’t know?” Yes and…
Research the lawyer way
When you find a case with facts and issues similar to those in your…
Is Times New Roman (TNR) “dead”?
Today’s message is inspired by a (Nick Bullard) post from last week and a…