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.

Times listed are Central Time.

Thursday, February 25, 2021
9:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
More Effective Writing Makes More Effective Lawyers: Focusing on the Fundamentals

9:00 – 10:30 a.m.

• When Lawyers Write: What Can Go Wrong?
  Take a brief tour of the various ways legal writing can come up short (or long, or confusing, or...) and the writing habits and assumptions that lead so many lawyers astray. 
• So Here’s the Situation...” The Writing You Do Before You Start Writing
  Understand that some of your most important legal writing happens before your fingers ever hit the keyboard. And why would you think that a one-size-fits-all approach to your writing best serves you, your clients, or your varied target audience(s)?
• Demystifying the Process: Four Essential Questions, and Two Key Factors
  Let’s keep it simple, OK? Learn how to streamline your writing process by focusing first on a small number of manageable elements, and see how those elements can help guide you through many of your most critical writing and editing decisions.

10:30 – 10:45 a.m.
BREAK

10:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.

• “What’s In? What’s Out?” Complete v. Concise
  It may be the ultimate balancing act in legal writing: “How much is enough? How much is too much?” We’ll share strategies for fighting off the urge to include everything, and we’ll weigh the benefits ¬– and occasional dangers – of leaving things out.
• A Few More Words About Getting Started: Different Strokes for Different Folks
  Do you suffer from Blank Screen Panic? You’re not alone. Getting those first words onto the screen is a daunting prospect for many lawyers. Find out if your typical way of getting started is actually the best approach for the way you write, and for any particular assignment. We’ll explore some alternatives that may be a better fit.

– Rick Horowitz; Prime Prose, LLC

Thursday, February 25, 2021
1:00 – 4:15 p.m.
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. 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

$245

Other discounts that may apply:

• Season Pass Discount
• New Lawyer Discount

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.

This package provides 6.0 total CLE credits. Credits should be reported individually for each webcast attended, not the package as a whole.

Minnesota CLE has applied to the Minnesota State Board of CLE for the standard, ethics, and elimination of bias CLE credits as listed below. Application has been made to the Minnesota State Bar Association for any "specialist" credits and to the Supreme Court ADR Program for any continuing education in ADR credits.

Click titles for credit status and individual event codes.

More Effective Writing Makes More Effective Lawyers: Focusing on the Fundamentals
3.0 standard CLE credits

More Effective Writing Makes More Effective Lawyers: Drilling Down on the Details
3.0 standard CLE credits