Writing for Law Practice: Advanced Legal Writing (University Casebook Series)

Writing for Law Practice organizes documents into three sections that correspond to the three major modes of written communication in the law–“Litigating,” “Informing and Persuading,” and “Rule-making” – each with its own signature writing skills.

The organization of this text is both realistic and helpful to student and teacher. Part One focuses on pleadings and motions, where concept is primary and expression secondary. Part Two covers letters, memos, trial and appellate briefs, and judicial opinions, which require clarity and perseverance as well as creativity. Part Three covers contracts, legislation, and wills, where conceptualization is inextricable from clear and precise expression. Among the advantages of this organization is that it gives the teacher much flexibility in course design.

New features of the second edition include a skills chapter on effective Document Design and its role in reader comprehension; a section in Contracts on negotiation that aims to provide broader context for transactional drafting; expanded discussions of tone and narrative in the Pleadings and Persuasion chapters; expanded coverage of e-mail communication; a section on living wills and health care proxies in the Wills chapter; and new exercises and assignments throughout.

Writing for Law Practice is intended for both “Advanced Writing” and “Introduction to Drafting” courses. Because “drafting” is a term without a single, universally agreed-upon meaning, “drafting” courses do not all cover the same documents. However, this text treats a broad range of documents and a broad range of skills, and so it is suitable for all of these upper-level writing courses.

"This is our second semester teaching it and I find the book to be one of the best writing books I’ve ever read." --Nina Neal, Paralegal Program Chair, Central Piedmont Community College