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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.
May 1
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Turn Admitted Facts into Credibility Anchors
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April 2025
Show respect for judges even when they are wrong.
Referring to judges correctly and deferentially is a nonnegotiable requirement of strong legal writing.
Apr 20
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Ryan McCarl
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Show respect for judges even when they are wrong.
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March 2025
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.
Mar 12
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How to write briefs that judges want to read
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February 2025
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…
Feb 20
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Ryan McCarl
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Tips for undergraduates on writing, learning, and life
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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.
Feb 6
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Ryan McCarl
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Using AI as an editor and writing coach
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January 2025
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.
Jan 21
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Read widely to tune your ear for language
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December 2024
Use executive summaries in litigation briefs
Use this design move to ensure judges don’t overlook your best argument.
Dec 17, 2024
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Ryan McCarl
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Use executive summaries in litigation briefs
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July 2024
Logic for Lawyers: Crafting Persuasive Legal Arguments
Here are the slides for Ryan McCarl’s Justia webinar, “Logic for Lawyers: Crafting Persuasive Legal Arguments.”
Jul 12, 2024
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Ryan McCarl
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Logic for Lawyers: Crafting Persuasive Legal Arguments
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June 2024
Ryan McCarl interviewed on the Legally Speaking podcast
Elegant Legal Writing author Ryan McCarl was recently interviewed on the Legally Speaking podcast about legal writing, legal AI, and other topics.
Jun 30, 2024
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Ryan McCarl interviewed on the Legally Speaking podcast
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April 2024
New interview about legal writing and design, writing influences, and more
Ryan McCarl appeared on the podcast “Khurram’s Quorum” to discuss his writing influences, what makes Elegant Legal Writing different, and other topics.
Apr 26, 2024
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New interview about legal writing and design, writing influences, and more
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New interview with Ryan McCarl about legal writing, AI, and other topics
Ryan McCarl appeared on the DC Bar podcast "Let's Brief It" to discuss Elegant Legal Writing, tips for law students, AI in the legal profession, and…
Apr 22, 2024
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New interview with Ryan McCarl about legal writing, AI, and other topics
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Build legal arguments around propositions, not cases.
Legal arguments consist of conclusions backed by reasons. They should be structured accordingly.
Apr 2, 2024
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Ryan McCarl
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Build legal arguments around propositions, not cases.
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