This blog explores why legal writing is so difficult, and how it does not have to be, as well, as how you can improve your legal writing skills, and quickly! The blog addresses the following: Logic and Persuasive Writing Paragraph Structure Grammar Active v. Passive Voice Slang or Colloquial Expressions (particularly in Verb Choice) Quoting Legalese The practice of law, as a trade, is based upon logical reasoning, flawless writing, and persuasive argument. [1]  Not surprisingly, these three skills have evolved from the classical and medieval curriculum of grammar, logic, and rhetoric ..read more

The practice of law is a trade. What is the basis of law as a trade? It is based upon: flawless writing, logical reasoning, and persuasive argument.[1]  Not surprisingly, these three skills have evolved from the classical and medieval curriculum of grammar, logic, and rhetoric.[2]  College is Not Helping. College is not preparing pre-law students to think like lawyers.[3] Logic is necessary to excel in the law, but many students of the law have not learned logic in college. No one has taught college students how to create and construct legal arguments.[4] Indeed, incoming l ..read more

New lawyers are generally not prepared for the rigorous practice of law. Why? They simply do not yet have the practical and efficient legal writing skills required for a litigation or transactional practice. New attorneys must develop the actual skills necessary to write sound motions, briefs, memos, letters, and documents (like contracts and trusts) in a professional, practical, and non-intellectual manner.  Supervising attorneys for governmental agencies, do you have to train your new lawyers?  No, you just do not have the time.  Why not outsource training? &nbs ..read more

Ask yourself these questions: Might a U.S. firm have hired you for an international law practice, but your legal writing is not strong?  Did your Master of Laws (LLM or LL.M) program prepare you for an actual U.S. practice (albeit in an international setting)?   How can you excel now at your international law firm?  It may be that you do not perform legal writing in an organized and persuasive way.  You can turn this around.  And now. This blog addresses: 1. These are exciting times—U.S. law firms may hire new attorneys from abroad, or the firms are themselves based ..read more

International Lawyers Practicing with U.S. Firms: Can you Write Better? Ask yourself these questions: Might a U.S. firm have hired you for an international law practice, but your legal writing is not strong?  Did your Master of Laws (LLM or LL.M) program prepare you for an actual U.S. practice?   How can you excel now at your international law firm, NGO, or government job?  It may be that you do not perform legal writing in an organized and persuasive way.  You can turn this around.  And now. This blog addresses: 1. These are exciting times—U.S. law firms may hire la ..read more

Ask yourself these questions: Do you have a poor (or bad) writing sample?  Did you not do so well in law school?  Were you unable to land a job at a plum law firm?  Are you not excelling at your law firm, non-profit, or government job?  Why?  It may be that you do not perform legal writing in an organized and persuasive way.  You can turn this around.  And now. This blog addresses: 1. Law school did not prepare you for the actual practice of law, but you can still prepare on your own.  2. Although you may have written an appellate brief, you have not w ..read more

New lawyers are generally not prepared for the rigorous practice of law. Why? They simply do not yet have the practical and efficient legal writing skills required for a litigation or transactional practice. New attorneys must develop the actual skills necessary to write sound motions, briefs, memos, letters, and documents (like contracts and trusts) in a professional, practical, and non-intellectual manner.  Law firm partners and shareholders, do you have to train your new lawyers?  No, you just do not have the time.  Why not outsource training?  You can outsource legal wr ..read more

INTRODUCTION This blog answers the many questions that international students, who are pursuing their Master of Laws (LL.M. or LLM) in the United States (U.S.), have about applying for and pursuing a LLM degree program, taking a state’s Bar exam, and practicing law in the U.S.  The author here recommends that students take a legal writing course preferably before they start their LL.M. studies, and certainly before they take a Bar exam or begin practicing in the U.S. There are essentially two pots of students who obtain a Master’s degree in law in the U.S., who are: 1) lawyers from the U ..read more

Legal Writing Launch: A Chat about Powerful Legal Writing with Professor Bev Meyers This is the transcript from the podcast in which Legal Writing Launch Founder, Bev Meyers, discussed legal writing with the Ladies Who Law School hosts, Samantha Lemke (Sam) and Haylie Davis (Haylie).  The episode aired on January 31, 2022.  It is available at: (Apple) https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ladies-who-law-school/id1496560856 and (Audible) https://www.audible.com/pd/Ladies-Who-Law-School-Podcast/B08K564ZXY. SAM: Hi, guys, and welcome back to the Ladies Who Law School Podcast. I’m Sam ..read more

BEV: Hello and welcome to Legal Writing Launch. I’m Bev Meyers and I’m the founder. Today [on June 8, 2021], I have the pleasure of speaking with a former student of mine and esteemed colleague, at one point, Michael Banister. Hi Mike, how are you? MICHAEL: I’m fine, thanks. How are you doing, Bev? BEV: Great. So, Mike has had an illustrious career. I was fortunate enough to have Mike as one of my students way back in the day as a law student and then, actually, as an extern after Mike finished law school. Mike went on to practice at the Attorney General’s Office in the Criminal Division. And ..read more