Product Description

Effective Lawyering concisely describes useful, yet often neglected, writing techniques. The book has pithy discussions of: (1) ways to avoid recurring, yet frequently overlooked, writing problems; (2) sensible approaches to writing common legal documents; and (3) methods for preparing an oral argument. In addition, it provides the reader with a series of checklists to turn to when undertaking a writing project or preparing for oral argument. This book is for law students and practitioners who want to be refreshed on the fundamentals of effective lawyering: fundamentals that they likely learned the first year of law school, but perhaps have forgotten.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #107864 in Books
• Published on: 2007-07-15
• Released on: 2007-08-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 180 pages

Review
Clear and concise writing is the hallmark of a good lawyer. Professors Parrish and Yokoyama provide sound practical advice to junior attorneys and law students. Effective Lawyering is invaluable for new attorneys. --Robert H. Philibosian, Partner, Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP, former Los Angeles County District Attorney and California Chief Deputy Attorney General

It's a succinct and easy-to-read distillation of the various writing projects lawyers encounter, including a chapter on academic writing. -- Prof. Duncan Hollis, Temple Law School

It's just brilliantly done.... I highly recommend this book to law students and practitioners alike. -- Susan Cartier Liebel, National Coach/Consultant, Build a Solo Practice, LLC

Parrish and Yokoyama present a book that aids the novice, the expert, and anyone in between. -- Prof. Deven Desai, Thomas Jefferson Law School

Professors Parrish and Yokoyama have written a dandy checklist-oriented writing handbook for lawyers and law students. I m sure I ve given my students every suggestion offered here, but now they have a convenient, user-friendly way to access those suggestions at home or at the office. The handbook is clear, concise, and non-intimidating, written in low-key, plain English. I ll recommend it, and my students might even use it!" --Prof. Eric B. Easton, Professor of Law and Co-Director, Legal Skills Program, University of Baltimore School of Law

The checklists are invaluable. This book is a jewel. -- Prof. Jolen Wolf, Florida State University College of Law

This extremely useful guide for legal writing of all kinds (including briefs, opinion letters, academic writing, and oral argument) presents clear and concise concepts and illustrations for organizing and clarifying what lawyers say in a variety of contexts. This book uses a very helpful format of checklists to improve the writing of all who work in the law students, practicing lawyers, professors and yes, judges too! --Prof. Carrie Menkel-Meadows, Georgetown University Law Center, Co-Editor-In-Chief, Journal of Legal Education

Customer Reviews

Highly Recommended!
Effective Lawyering is a very helpful book - it replaced several other legal writing/argument books I used before. The checklists were particularly convenient and useful. I also really liked the examples at the end with the comments explaining why they were good samples. I have never seen that before in a book, and it was great to be able to turn to a sample and immediately understand what to pull from it. Also, it was very easy to read.

The best legal writing book out there
I spent fall 2005 researching and drafting this book for Professor Parrish. My assignment was simple: (1) collect all the legal writing books in Southwestern Law School's library, and (2) boil entire chapters on oral argument, lanugage composition, or trial court briefs into a single page. This book is the most concise synthesis on legal writing that I have ever seen. I frequently use it as a judicial clerk at the Nevada Supreme Court and have lent it to other clerks. I am hopeful that you will enjoy it and find it equally useful.

A must-have for legal writing!
I highly recommend this book not only for your legal writing class but for any law course, seminar, and the work field. The authors have presented their approach to legal writing that is concise, practical and easy to follow. Definitely a MUST-HAVE for law school and the legal profession.