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…
Oct 5, 2023 • 
Ryan McCarl
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Elegant Legal Writing
Elegant Legal Writing
When should lawyers italicize Latin phrases?
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…
Jan 9, 2024 • 
Ryan McCarl
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Elegant Legal Writing
Elegant Legal Writing
Use footnotes effectively in legal briefs
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.
Jan 15, 2024 • 
Ryan McCarl
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Elegant Legal Writing
Elegant Legal Writing
Capitalization: What attorneys need to know
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…
Feb 28, 2024 • 
Ryan McCarl
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Elegant Legal Writing
Elegant Legal Writing
How to write great reply briefs
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 • 
Ryan McCarl
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Elegant Legal Writing
Elegant Legal Writing
Using AI as an editor and writing coach
2
Build legal arguments around propositions, not cases.
Legal arguments consist of conclusions backed by reasons. They should be structured accordingly.
Apr 2, 2024 • 
Ryan McCarl
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Elegant Legal Writing
Elegant Legal Writing
Build legal arguments around propositions, not cases.
4
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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Elegant Legal Writing
Elegant Legal Writing
How to write briefs that judges want to read
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…
Sep 12, 2023 • 
Ryan McCarl
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Elegant Legal Writing
Elegant Legal Writing
Take off the IRAC and CREAC training wheels.
1
Use readable fonts.
Choosing a font is not just a matter of personal preference.
Apr 7, 2021 • 
Ryan McCarl
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Elegant Legal Writing
Elegant Legal Writing
Use readable fonts.
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 • 
Ryan McCarl
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Elegant Legal Writing
Elegant Legal Writing
Logic for Lawyers: Crafting Persuasive Legal Arguments
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…
Sep 21, 2023 • 
Ryan McCarl
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Elegant Legal Writing
Elegant Legal Writing
Understand the hierarchy of legal authority.
1
Beyond IRAC and CREAC: Alternative Models of Legal Reasoning
Difficult legal questions usually involve disputed rules and disputed or ambiguous facts. Treating these as static and objectively given usually misses…
Mar 9, 2024 • 
Ryan McCarl
3

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Elegant Legal Writing
Elegant Legal Writing
Beyond IRAC and CREAC: Alternative Models of Legal Reasoning
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