Elegant Legal Writing

Elegant Legal Writing

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Turn Admitted Facts into Credibility Anchors
The most powerful evidence isn’t what your witnesses say — it’s what your opponents admit.
Show respect for judges even when they are wrong.
Referring to judges correctly and deferentially is a nonnegotiable requirement of strong legal writing.
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Ryan McCarl
How to write briefs that judges want to read
How can attorneys earn judges’ attention and motivate them to read briefs? Understanding the principles of readability can help.
Tips for undergraduates on writing, learning, and life
Here are some practical writing tips that are equally useful for nonlawyers, plus a handout I distribute whenever I get a chance to present to college…
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Ryan McCarl
Using AI as an editor and writing coach
Here is a prompt I designed to get tailored editing and feedback from AI software like ChatGPT and Claude.
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Ryan McCarl
2
Read widely to tune your ear for language
Reading literary prose can refresh your mind and improve your writing by exposing you to fresh language, new ideas, and unfamiliar vocabulary.
Use executive summaries in litigation briefs
Use this design move to ensure judges don’t overlook your best argument.
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Ryan McCarl
Elegant Legal Writing
Elegant Legal Writing
Practical tips for writing clear, logical, and inviting legal prose. Order the book at bit.ly/elw-book.
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