011: Legal Writing 101

What is it about the term Legal Writing that makes law students cringe? If you are a first-year law student, you're most likely enrolled in a Legal Research and Writing Class (LRW). This is a class that can strike fear into the heart of some law students. Others approach it with an "I got this" attitude only to be shocked when they realize they actually don't. The same writing skills that scored you a spot in law school do not always transfer when it comes to legal writing. It's just another class - what is everyone so afraid of?

1. You have to get comfortable with writing in a different way.
2. The exams and papers can be incredibly time-consuming and challenging.
3. It's hard to "unlearn" a style of writing you became comfortable with in your prior education.

In this episode we talk about:

• What makes legal writing so difficult?
• The different types of legal writing
• How your academic background can affect your success in your legal writing class
• Improving your legal writing skills
• How to handle legal writing if English isn't your first language
• Tools and tricks to stay organized
• Why legal writing is important to your future career (and passing the bar exam)

If you enjoyed this episode, please let us know!

We'd love a nice review and/or rating on iTunes. And feel free to reach out to us directly! You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/contact).

Thanks for listening!

Alison & Lee

Resources:

• Trello (http://www.trello.com) - Our favorite organizational tool!!!
• Be Ready to Throw Your Writing Style Out the Window (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/0l-to-1l-be-ready-to-throw-your-writing-style-out-the-window/)
• It is Important to Be Realistic About Assignments (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/it-is-important-to-be-realistic-about-assignments/)
• Legal Writing Tip: Imagine You're Talking to Your Grandmother (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/legal-writing-tip-imagine-youre-talking-to-your-grandma/)