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 Writing is the lifeblood of the law. Yet many lawyers are poor writers.
They use arcane phrases and
meaningless jargon. Simply put, legal writing is often wordy,
pompous, and boring. The basic rules of good legal writing
(and, for that matter, any writing) are simple. Whether in the format of an
everyday letter or a Supreme Court brief, good legal writing is precise,
simple, clear, and forceful. It commands the reader's attention, and
respects the reader's intelligence. It is thorough without being verbose,
forceful without being combative, and entertaining without being trite. Lawyers should strive for excellence in everything they write.
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