Elegant Legal Writing

Elegant Legal Writing

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When should lawyers italicize Latin phrases?
Many Latin legal terms and phrases have been assimilated into legal English and should not be italicized. Knowing which terms to italicize can save you…
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Ryan McCarl
Use footnotes effectively in legal briefs
Footnotes make litigation documents easier to read by keeping only important information in the main text and avoiding interruptions of an argument or…
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Ryan McCarl
2
Capitalization: What attorneys need to know
Attorneys are prone to capitalization errors and often unsure whether to capitalize point headings and the word “court.” This post will help.
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Ryan McCarl
How to write great reply briefs
Reply briefs are essential in motion and appellate practice. Here are some strategies to help you make the most of your last opportunity to persuade the…
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Ryan McCarl
Build legal arguments around propositions, not cases.
Legal arguments consist of conclusions backed by reasons. They should be structured accordingly.
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Ryan McCarl
3
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
1
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.
Take off the IRAC and CREAC training wheels.
The legal-writing acronyms IRAC and CREAC reflect an oversimplified view of legal reasoning and can lead to unconvincing arguments and repetitive prose…
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Ryan McCarl
1
Logic for Lawyers: Crafting Persuasive Legal Arguments
Here are the slides for Ryan McCarl’s Justia webinar, “Logic for Lawyers: Crafting Persuasive Legal Arguments.”
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Ryan McCarl
Use readable fonts.
Choosing a font is not just a matter of personal preference.
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Ryan McCarl
Understand the hierarchy of legal authority.
To design arguments that judges will find persuasive, litigators must remain alert to where the sources they cite fall on the hierarchy of legal…
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Ryan McCarl
1
Persuade judges with visual aids showing salient evidence.
Instead of telling judges and juries what the evidence shows, show them the evidence and help them draw appropriate inferences from that evidence.
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Ryan McCarl
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