Legal Writing Skills and Techniques

Legal writing can be simple, explosive, dynamic and, as shocking as it may seem, actually interesting. It is one of the most important parts of our craft. Writing can be empowered through engaging language, a good narrative strategy and, perhaps, the employment of effective visual devices - all of which can add considerable force to what you have to say. 

Experienced appellate attorney, Erica Dubno, discusses the art of legal writing. The techniques suggested here can be utilized in any form of legal writing from letters to appellate briefs. This course is relevant for civil and criminal practitioners at all levels.

Learning Objectives: 

I.     Identify how to structure your writing to exploit favorable facts and to use quotations from the record as powerful subheads

II.    Review different ways to employ metaphors, analogies, exhibits and statistics

III.   Develop techniques for using language to be more forceful and appropriate for specific issues

This course originally appeared as a part of our December 2015 Bridge the Gap Event.