samedi 19 avril 2014

The Services Of A Legal Writing Coach

By Essie Osborn


When writing their presentations, lawyers are needed to do so in a specialized way. These writings need to fully express the analysis of the issue being tackled and have the capacity to convince other individuals on behalf of the client being represented. The writings therefore need to be clear and concise as well as in line with the rules of the profession. This is why you will find the services of a legal writing coach important.

There are two types of writing common to lawyers. The first one normally creates a balance on the legal issue at hand. It includes writing of documents such as inter-office memoranda and letters being addressed to clients. While addressing the recipients, the lawyer needs to make sure that he/she has taken into account the interests of the client as well as having considered his/her background.

When addressing the two parties mentioned above, the lawyer will do so in a different way. For example, with the client he needs to explain technical terms used in the document in order to avoid a state of confusion. This is, however, not the case with the other lawyer being addressed in the office. If he does so, then it will only be amounting to inefficiency and may even annoy him.

There is also the persuasive type of writing which includes documents such as negotiation letters and appellate briefs that are written on behalf of the client. The content of these documents need to be straight forward and not show some form of disrespect to the party being addressed as it would only lead to provocations. The document should also be clear without unnecessary information. Normally, documents presented to the court or administrative agencies are needed to be written according to the right style.

Other legal documents that are normally drafted by lawyers include wills and contracts. If they are drafted in the wrong manner, then the interests of the client may end up being injured. Even though there are guides for lawyers on how to write these documents, there is a unique application of the form in regards to the facts that are required.

The uniqueness of these writings is what has led to the development of coaching lessons for lawyers. The main aim is to ensure that when an experienced reader gets hold of the document, he/she can be able to analyze the authorities sited in it as well as understand the information being presented. The coach will therefore train the lawyer into knowing the right format for citations according to court rules and also how briefs and memoranda need to be presented in court.

During the coaching session, the lawyer will first present one of his/her past legal writings. This will then be reviewed for its style, structure and as well the substance in it. Once the technique of self-editing is mastered by the student, his/her talent can then be natured.

If you therefore join a coaching program, you may have to submit your project for review. It is after this that the coach will check on the substance of the argument in it as he edits it. Other programs involve the coach editing the whole document first on a line-by-line formula while checking for grammar. They then go ahead and check the tone, logic, structure, tone, integrity, balance and persuasiveness before giving their comments.




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