More Effective Writing Makes More Effective Lawyers: Drilling Down on the Details

1:00 – 2:30 p.m. 

“Where Do I Put It?” Help Them Early – and Often 
People are busy. People don’t always know the subject matter as well as you do. Effective legal writing is more than just including all the relevant information and arguments. Organizing that information, and guiding your readers through it, can be every bit as vital. We’ll talk tips – and pitfalls. 

“How Do I Say It?” Going for Clarity 
Most of the time, you want most of the people reading your stuff to actually understand what you’re telling them! (“Legalese” isn’t the only thing that stands in the way, although it’s certainly a factor.) How can your decisions about phrasing, punctuation, even page design, make or break your document? And can vagueness ever be a virtue? We’ll consider the possibilities. 

15-MINUTE BREAK

2:45 – 4:15 p.m. 

“How Do I Say It?” Going for Brevity
Page limits and word limits are just two of the reasons you’ll want to make your legal writing more concise; there are plenty of others. What are some of the best techniques for tightening, and adding power to, your writing? 

“How Does It Come Across?” Your Tone, Your Voice
There’s a reason people tell lawyer jokes. “You sound just like a lawyer!” is rarely a compliment. Connecting with readers on a gut level is an often overlooked – but often essential – part of effective legal writing. We’ll examine some of the factors that can help you make that connection.

– Rick Horowitz; Prime Prose, LLC
Rick Horowitz is an award-winning writer skilled at communicating in a variety of formats and across a wide range of media. He’s also a nationally known writing coach and trainer whose perceptive eye and practical approach offer you immediate improvements and long-term growth. He brings a background in journalism – online, print, TV and radio – as well as law, policy, and government service. He has been a legislative assistant and principal speechwriter for a member of the congressional leadership, and a special assistant and ghostwriter for the director of a major Washington-based arts organization. Rick has captured two Emmy Awards for his TV commentary and two National Headliner Awards for his syndicated column.

Webcast also included in the following webcast package(s):
More Effective Writing Makes More Effective Lawyers Webcast Package
May Webcast Extravaganza