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The Importance Of A Legal Writing Coach

By Essie Osborn


When writing their presentations, lawyers are needed to do so in a specialized way. These writings need to fully express the analysis of the issue being tackled and have the capacity to convince other individuals on behalf of the client being represented. The writings therefore need to be clear and concise as well as in line with the rules of the profession. This is why you will find the services of a legal writing coach important.

There are two types of writing common to lawyers. The first one normally creates a balance on the legal issue at hand. It includes writing of documents such as inter-office memoranda and letters being addressed to clients. While addressing the recipients, the lawyer needs to make sure that he/she has taken into account the interests of the client as well as having considered his/her background.

These two documents mentioned above will actually be written in a different way because the office memoranda is being addressed to a legal professional and the letter to someone who may not be understanding the law. For instance, when writing to a fellow colleague in the office, he/she cannot go on defining basic law terms used in the document as it would be expected of if when addressing the client. Otherwise, he may only be annoying the other lawyer.

The second type of legal writing common in the profession is the persuasive kind. Documents written for such purposes need to very clear and precise. The lawyer therefore needs to make sure that he has put his points straight forward without provoking the other party being addressed. Documents of this kind include appellate briefs and negotiation letters. It is also required of writings being presented to administrative agencies and the court to follow the right style.

Other legal documents that are normally drafted by lawyers include wills and contracts. If they are drafted in the wrong manner, then the interests of the client may end up being injured. Even though there are guides for lawyers on how to write these documents, there is a unique application of the form in regards to the facts that are required.

Training coaches help lawyers in mastering the concept of legal writing. Once one has undergone the training, their documents can be better understood by experienced readers as they are able to get the right information from them as well as evaluate any cited authorities in the document. A lawyer can therefore learn about the format of citations in line with court rules on how they are supposed to be done.

During the coaching session, the lawyer will first present one of his/her past legal writings. This will then be reviewed for its style, structure and as well the substance in it. Once the technique of self-editing is mastered by the student, his/her talent can then be natured.

If you therefore join a coaching program, you may have to submit your project for review. It is after this that the coach will check on the substance of the argument in it as he edits it. Other programs involve the coach editing the whole document first on a line-by-line formula while checking for grammar. They then go ahead and check the tone, logic, structure, tone, integrity, balance and persuasiveness before giving their comments.




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