Dear Legal Writer, The partner just finished rattling off a new writing assignment, but then something interrupts needing his attention.

Dear Legal Writer, The partner just finished rattling off a new writing assignment, but then something interrupts needing his attention.

So he looks up at you and asks, “Got it?”

You nod, trying to look like you’ve done this several times before.

Yet once back at your desk, you find yourself staring down at your notes and realizing all the things that you actually don’t know.

A million questions come to you, and not knowing the answers makes you feel stuck.

This happened to me one too many times early on.

And I’d be scared to bother the partner again, so I’d try to forge ahead—often wasting hours in the wrong direction.

💡 Eventually, I realized I needed a better plan for assignment meetings.

So I created a checklist: a set of core questions I could bring into any meeting.

Not every question applies every time, but even asking just a few has saved me countless headaches.

I thought it might save you some, too, so I’ve attached it below.

Save it for future reference, or make your own list!
 
💌 Amanda

#DearLegalWriter

🗳️ What questions or advice would you add?