Writing for Partners

Above the Law has a great legal writing post focused on what law firm partners actually demand.  One of the tips marries legal writing and research, and I think it's particularly timely while many of us are teaching students how to research and report their results:

Step Four: Using Authorities

These days, nearly all associates find the authorities they need. But partners want associates to do more than just copy or summarize those authorities; they want to know how each authority supports the associate’s points explicitly.

“This may be as much an analytical skill as a writing skill, but I have been struck by how often junior associates think sending you five cases is an appropriate response to a research assignment.”

“[A]ssociates should work on better integrating their discussions of the facts and the law in briefs, i.e., doing more than just stating the facts and stating the law, but explaining how the facts apply to the law.”

The post is a great read and boils down the law firm writing process to four easy-to-understand steps.

(dbb)