Do lawyers have to do a lot of writing?

Question

In my literary studies course, my Professor told us that the law school at my University was going to begin mandatory writing courses focused primarily on legal writing, for their students. Apparently, some of the firms that hired the school's graduates, were complaining that the graduates didn't have good writing skills. My question is, exactly how much writing does a lawyer actually have to do? I assumed that was what paralegals were for? Also, would an English major make a good law student?

Answer 1

The practice of Law is nothing like television. Most of a Lawyer's time is spent on documentation, either creating documents or reading other documents to prepare to create them.

The purpose of the documents lawyers write are USUALLY intended to convey information, or to get someone to agree with a particular proposition. Some are just to be a memorial of an agreement. Of necessity, these documents must be orderly and coherent; a persuasive document no one understands wouldn't be very persuasive, and sloppy spelling and grammar (unless deliberately used for effect) will detract from credibility.

As far as Paralegals doing the writing goes...the Paralegal doesn't sign anything, so the Lawyer that doesn't know how to write is at the mercy of the Paralegal, and has one foot in a Malpractice suit.

Law schools usually look for a variety of majors, so that the student body can share experiences. English majors are good, so are theater majors, agriculture majors, business, even music. They must know how to learn and express what they know.

Answer 2

Yes, most lawyers have to do a great deal of writing. For example, I wrote a 25-page brief yesterday and have to write another tomorrow. I have probably written about 500 pages over the last few months. English makes a good major for a law student, however a lot of English majors have trouble making the transition from liberal arts style of writing to legal writing. As long as you get into the practice of writing, and doing a lot work, you will be prepared for law school as much as any other law student.

There are some areas of law practice that don't require as much writing, for example many transactional practices have less writing than my practice (litigation, appellate practice).

As far as paralegals, every lawyer uses them differently. I would never have a paralegal draft any legal brief or memorandum, but I would have a paralegal fill out forms or do filing, or review and summarize documents.

Answer 3

We do a tremendous amount of writing. Some paralegals help with the writing. Many firms use them for research, instead. Only an attorney can sign a legal document and I write most of my own. My paralegal does write letters for me and does answer some standard type complaints. I write complaints, answers, briefs, memorandums of law, contracts, motions, Wills, Trusts and a whole lot of other stuff. An English degree is very good for law school, but do yourself a favor and take Journalism 101. It's a different style of writing. Legal writing should be direct, short, and one point in each paragraph. I believe creative writing in the English department does not serve you as well as journalistic style writing.

Answer 4

I recently spoke with a member of the faculty of Penn State Dickinson School of Law. He said that the writing ability of the average college graduate has declined over the years. Students who graduated from college in the late 1960's and early 1970's are better writers than students are now.

Law schools have courses in "legal writing and research", but they expect their applicants to be able to write well before they arrive on campus. Law schools should not be required to run "remedial English courses" for native-born Americans who never bothered to learn our language and write well.

Law, as a profession, is writing intensive. One must know how to write, and write well. A lawyer's "stock in trade" is persuasive communication. One must be able to write a good law school examination --- sorry, guys, when I was in law school, they were all essay examinations. The people who were the best writers received the highest grades. Oh, yes, there is even more writing after one graduates from law school. Things like memoranda of law, briefs, opinion letters, letters to clients, and the like. Although it is true that the better law firms in the cities have paralegals who have bachelors degrees in liberal arts subjects, it is incumbent on attorneys to have a talent with the written word.

English is a good pre-law major. It is writing intensive, and college English professors are even today sticklers for quality writing. Don't forget the other liberal arts. Philosophy, with its emphasis on rhetoric, is a good major; it is also writing-intensive. History and sociology can also be both analytical and writing intensive.

Answer 5

Lawyers are responsible for everything in the case, whether a paralegal produces the paperwork or not. Lawyers do a lot of writing on their own, and some lawyers do not use paralegals at all, in which case, they must know how to compose motions, pleas, etc. on their own. Writing is essential for any career in law.

And you should contact your student adviser as to which courses to take for consideration of entrance into law school.

Answer 6

The Attorney I work for does a lot of writing and so do I, his legal assistant. So yes writing is important, and legal writing is too. Trust me we can put the same thing on paper, but when he adds all the legal terms, names.... his looks better, again that is why he makes the big bucks. Every time I do an Order for him, he goes over it with a fine tooth comb...so to speak.

Answer 7

They, and physicians take writing courses because no one can read their writing!

Many consents are written sitting in a court foyer and there are no para-legals around!

It was especially important for MD's as there were to many drug errors!

Answer 8

i'd see yet another felony expert and ask for suggestion approximately the thank you to handle a corrupt felony expert. attorneys would desire to persist with particular ethical regulations. in line with what state you're in, there are boards you are able to whinge to (the state organization that governs attorneys), and get a loose consultation from a felony expert as quickly as you have accrued all textile that proves this guy is crude.

Answer 9

Legal writing huh? How about lawful writing for a change?