Use Caution Handling “However”
When I review your writing, one of the first things I do is reword…
7 Steps to Improve Your Writing Sample
Dear Rising 2L: If you use your 1L memo or brief as a writing…
“Thus, . . .” and “Therefore, . . .” are Getting Tired: Try these Alternatives
Dear Legal Writer, As a junior legal writer, you likely tend to use “Therefore”…
“As” is a Risky Way to Start a Sentence
Dear Legal Writer, Lindsey Lawton and I partner today to bring you this tip on a…
GET THE FIX FOR PASSIVE VOICE
Dear Legal Writer, If you supervise a lot of junior legal writers, you likely…
How to Tackle the Write-on Competition to Make Law Review
Dear 1L (Rising 2L?), It seems cruel. Your “reward” for finishing the hardest year…
“The game is not worth the candle.”
I once had a debate with a BigLaw partner over the expression, “The game…
Dear Legal Writer: Today’s letter is about “is comprised by.”
“Is comprised by” is always wrong. Here’s why. ⤵️ “To comprise” = “to contain,”…
Learn When & How to Use “i.e.” and “e.g.” [carousel]
Dear Legal Writer: My friend, Min Cho, suggested that I write about “i.e.” and “e.g.” To…
It’s Time to Blacklist “Prior to.”
Dear Legal Writer: “Prior to” is NOT a good synonym for “before” in legal…
How to Use an Em-Dash & Why You Should [carousel]
Dear Legal Writer: Before you use your next em-dash, make sure you know what…
Dear Legal Writer: Is “terminate” a synonym for “fire”? Yes and No.
Dear Legal Writer: I once had a BigLaw partner wave an imaginary assault rifle…