Writing
Author | Stewart I. Edelstein |
Profession | Commercial trial lawyer |
Pages | 49-94 |
49
CHAPTER THREE
WRITING
As a trial law yer, you devote many of your working hours to writing. To
succeed, you must know how to write. This chapter di scusses general prin-
ciples for drafting ef fective legal writing and ex plains how to draft emails,
letters, internal memos, pleadings, motions, memos supporting motions,
jury inst ructions, appellate court briefs, and settlement agreements.
A. PRINCIPLESAPPLICABLETOALLLEGALWRITING
Although each document you craft has a specialized purpose, certain
basic principles apply to everyth ing you write.
1. Think before you write.
Sounds simple, right? Of course. But unless you think carefully about
what you plan to write, you will not be doing your job. Much of what
you write is analogous to playi ng a chess match—you must think many
moves ahead before you make your next move. Ask yourself reporter
questions: What am I about to write? Why? What is my objective?
For whom am I writing? Why am I writing it now? How am I going
to go about it? As Ralph Waldo Emerson observed, “Thought is the
blossom; language the bud; action the fruit behind.” Your “fruit” (i.e.,
what you write) will only be as tast y (i.e., effective) as the thought you
first put into it.
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50 | H S T L
2. Write for your reader.
Are you writi ng for a client, a colleague, opposing coun sel, a trial judge,
an appellate judge, or a jury? Tailor everyth ing you write for your reader.
3. Divide the writing process into discrete tasks.
Some legal writing is dau nting because so much is required and so much
is at stake. When taking on a substantial writing assignment, divide it
up. So, for example, if you need to draft a lengthy, comprehensive memo,
divide it into discrete tasks: thinking it through, outlining your memo,
doing legal research on each issue, drafting each point, and editing. If a
discrete task is ver y time-consumi ng, periodically take a break a nd return
to the task reinvigorated. An additional benefit of this process is that
you get a boost of satisfaction—psychological positive reinforcement—
as you complete each task.
4. Choose words artfully.
Even students who can write in plain English when starting law school
think , upon graduation, that to write “like a lawyer” t hey must use mul-
tisyllabic Latin-based words and high-blown prose. The best writing
uses simple words. For examples to emulate, read anything written by
Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr., Benjamin Cardozo, or (for a modern exam-
ple) Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court John G. Roberts. Even if
you do not agree with their judicial ph ilosophies, you must admire their
ability to convey complex ideas in plain English.
In choosing words artfully, follow these guidelines:
1. Refer to parties nongenerically.
No: Third-Part y Plaintiff moved to dismiss Defendant’s claims
against Third-Party Plaintif f as time-barred by the applicable
statute of limitations.
Yes: Jones moved to dismiss Smith’s claims against him as time-
barred by the applicable statute of limitations.
Reason: Referring to parties only by their status in the litiga-
tion is too abstract to be persuasive and can be confusing. Even
though it is crucial to identify the status of a party in a submis-
sion to the court, once you have done so, use the name of the
party. For example, at the beginning of a brief, write, “Third-
Party Plaintiff Roger Jones (“Jones”). . . .”
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Writing | 51
2. Refer to parties with shortened references when
appropriate.
No: The Intergalactic Widget Company of America
Yes: I ntergalact ic
Reason: The fewer the words the better. Identify individuals
and entities with a shortened reference when the name is long.
3. Use strong verbs.
No: A surge of power was responsible for the destruction of the
coolant pumps.
Yes: A su rge of power destroyed the coolant pumps.
Reason: Strong verbs impact more forcefully.
4. Avoid the passive.
No: The contract was breached by Roger Jones.
Yes: Roger Jones breached the contract.
Reason: The passive voice is weak and can result in ambigu-
ity. When editing, search for “by.” Unless “by” refers to a
location (“by the construction site”), it likely signals the pas-
sive voice.
5. Avoid jargon.
No: To ameliorate this endeavor, I am about to commence the
instant case (see draft complaint enclosed herewith); however, if
meaningf ul discourse regarding resolution of causes of action
hereinbefore discussed and pert inent thereto is not had forth-
with, failing same, we shall vigorously pursue all said claims at
law and in equity to the extent permitted by law.
Yes: I am about to bring an action as set forth in the enclosed
draft complaint. If set tlement discussions are not productive,
I will pursue it vigorously.
Reason: Jargon interferes with comprehension and adds unnec-
essary words. Write the way you speak, in plain English. Some
legal jargon is unavoidable, though, as when invoking the doc-
trine of forum non conveniens.
6. Eliminate redundancies.
No: The end result of the meeting was a consensus of opinion by
a board vote that the merger should proceed.
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