A memo or brief you prepared for lawyering seminar
can work well as a writing sample. Employers are looking for clear, effective legal writing and analysis. An objective interoffice memo or a persuasive brief are both acceptable vehicles for demonstrating your writing and analysis abilities.
How long is a legal writing sample?
Typically, the length of a writing sample for legal jobs ranges from
8 to 20 pages
. This should be considered the legal writing sample format as it provides the firm with sufficient information for evaluation.
Should you redact legal writing samples?
In particular, redact the client/parties’ names and any other key identifying items. It’s often best to play it safe by using
a brief, motion, or other writing that has been filed publicly
— if you don’t have to redact, the writing is likely to flow better. But client memos are just fine if properly redacted.
What makes good legal writing?
The Article then provides an analysis of the fundamental qualities that enable legal writing to do this, concluding that there are three such qualities:
clarity, conciseness, and the ability to appropriately engage the reader
.
What can you redact in a writing sample?
5. Redact: If you are using a piece of writing that you wrote for a past employer (such as a brief or memo you wrote during a previous job, externship, or internship) as your writing sample, you will most likely have to redact (remove) Page 3 3 certain types of information from the piece as you revise it.
Does a writing sample need a cover page?
Always include a cover page with YOUR NAME ON IT
!
If a writing sample is an excerpt of a longer piece, describe the nature of the larger document and provide context and background information regarding the excerpt.
Can I use a brief as a writing sample?
A memo or brief you prepared for lawyering seminar
can work well as a writing sample. Employers are looking for clear, effective legal writing and analysis. An objective interoffice memo or a persuasive brief are both acceptable vehicles for demonstrating your writing and analysis abilities.
What is an unedited writing sample?
Many employers will request an “unedited” writing sample. This means
that the work must be substantially your own and should not have been edited by another person
. You may personally edit any document, including one that was produced at a law-related job.
Should a legal writing sample be double-spaced?
What is the proper format? Page length: 5 to 10 pages, double-spaced. … The writing sample, including the cover page, should
fit into the employer’s given page limit
. You should also include a header or footer with your name and page number on every page.
What are the basic rules of legal writing?
- Use short sentences for complicated thoughts. Do not put too many important ideas in one sentence. …
- Use active voice verbs. …
- Make verbs do the work. …
- Remove unnecessary or extra words. …
- Remove redundant (legal) phrases. …
- Use everyday language. …
- Choose specific and concrete words. …
- Use modifiers carefully.
Why is legal writing so difficult?
One of the reasons the law is often written in complicated or hard-to-understand language is
because of the way law develops
. In the United States, we use something called stare decisis. … Another reason the law is so complicated is that sometimes lawyers will disagree about what a word or phrase means.
How do you master legal writing?
- Remember Your Audience. Robert Daly/Caiaimage/Getty Images. …
- Organize Your
Writing
. … - Ditch The Legalese. …
- Be Concise. …
- Use Action Words. …
- Avoid Passive Voice. …
- Edit Ruthlessly.
What are law firms looking for in a writing sample?
Legal Reasoning—A writing sample must
demonstrate your legal reasoning and analytical skills
, i.e., apply law to facts, and distinguish cases on their facts. Thus, an academic survey of case law or a note that summarizes a recently published decision is not the best choice as it does not include legal analysis.
How do you write a good redaction?
To redact a line or item in the document,
double-click
on a word or image. Press CTRL as you drag to select a line, a block of text, an image, or an area of the document. Click OK to remove the selected items. Keep in mind the items are not permanently removed from the document until you save the document.
Should writing samples be in PDF?
When sending your writing sample you should
save the paper as a PDF
so the formatting does not change when it is sent.
How do you ask for a writing sample?
“Please bring
with you no more than two or three examples of brochures that you
personally developed;” or. “Please bring an example that would demonstrate your analytical writing skills. “Please bring an example of your manuscript typing ability that would include Greek symbols, equations, and footnotes.
