Legal Writing

Legal writing is the primary medium through which attorneys advocate for
their clients, advise decision-makers, and shape the development of the law.
Whether drafting a trial court motion, an appellate brief, or an internal
memorandum, the legal writer must communicate complex ideas with clarity,

## Key Points

- **Start with the conclusion**: Legal readers want to know the answer before
- **Use the IRAC framework flexibly**: Issue, Rule, Application, Conclusion
- **Write clear, assertive argument headings**: Each heading in a brief should
- **Present facts persuasively but accurately**: In a statement of facts,
- **Integrate authority seamlessly**: Weave citations into the narrative
- **Address counter-arguments directly**: Acknowledging and refuting the
- **Edit ruthlessly**: First drafts are always too long. Cut unnecessary
- **Use transitions to guide the reader**: Connect paragraphs and sections
- Write in active voice. Active constructions are shorter, clearer, and more
- Keep sentences short. Aim for an average sentence length of twenty words.
- Use topic sentences that advance the argument. The first sentence of every
- Proofread on paper. Errors that the eye skips on screen become visible on