ONLINE
Thursday, February 25, 2021
1:00 PM - 4:15 PM
Looks like we’ll all be working from home for a while yet. You can be even better at it. At a time when actual in-person encounters have largely disappeared from your schedule, writing clearly and productively – letting your written words do their best work for you – may be more essential than ever. So why not use some of that hunkered-down time to sharpen your legal-writing skills?
Join nationally known writing coach and trainer Rick Horowitz for this second of two lively and practical programs on February 25, that will reintroduce you to your legal-writing toolbox, including a few tools you didn't know were in there. Rick has crafted this program to take best advantage of Zoom’s interactive features. And as you can see from the attendee comments, he’s managed to retain much of the give-and-take, back-and-forth energy that has made his in-person sessions so popular. You’re sure to come away with new skills, new strategies, and new confidence.
Webcast also included in the following webcast package(s):
More Effective Writing Makes More Effective Lawyers Package
Rick Horowitz is the founder and Wordsmith in Chief of Prime Prose, LLC, offering writing, editing, and coaching services to institutions and organizations across the country. A graduate of Brandeis University and N.Y.U. School of Law, Horowitz worked for a Washington law firm, specializing in communications law, and as a legislative assistant to a member of the congressional leadership.
He went on to become a nationally syndicated columnist, winning two National Headliner Awards; and a commentator for Milwaukee Public Television, where he received eight Regional Emmy Award nominations and two actual statuettes. Rick’s latest project: trying to get lawyers to write more like…actual humans, at least some of the time. Attorneys coast to coast have found his “More Effective Writing Makes More Effective Lawyers” workshops a valuable – and entertaining – learning experience.
1:00 – 2:30 p.m.
“Where Do I Put It?” Help Them Early – and Often
People are busy. Other 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 word choice, sentence length, even page design, make or break your document? And can vagueness ever be a virtue? We’ll consider the possibilities.
2:30 – 2:45 p.m.
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 ways to tighten, and add 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 meant as 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 vital connection.
– Rick Horowitz; Prime Prose, LLC
$175
Other discounts that may apply:
Scholarships available!
Need-based scholarships are available for in-person and online seminars. For further information or to obtain a scholarship application, contact us at 800-759-8840 or customerservice@minncle.org.
Minnesota CLE has applied to the Minnesota State Board of CLE for 3.0 standard CLE credits. The maximum number of total credits you may claim for attending this program is 3.0 credits.
