Legal Writing

PURPOSE

☐ Have I answered the question?

☐ Is my conclusion obvious?

☐ Do I know what I want the reader to do?

STRUCTURE

☐ Does the document have a logical sequence?

☐ Are the headings informative?

☐ Does every paragraph have a purpose?

ANALYSIS

☐ Have I explained the law rather than simply cited it?

☐ Have I applied the law to the facts?

☐ Have I dealt with the strongest counterargument?

CLARITY

☐ Is the subject of each sentence clear?

☐ Have I used active voice where appropriate?

☐ Have I eliminated unnecessary legalese?

☐ Are my sentences manageable?

CONCISION

☐ What can I delete?

☐ What can I combine?

☐ What can I say more simply?

AUTHORITY

☐ Does every authority actually support the proposition?

☐ Have I explained why the authority matters?

☐ Have I checked every citation?

FINAL TEST

☐ If someone reads only the headings, do they understand my argument?

☐ If someone reads only the first sentence of every paragraph, does the argument still work?

☐ Have I made the judge/partner/client's job easier?