Legal Writing and Litigation
LAW 792 Section 61
Claire C. Robinson May
Legal Writing & Litigation – Professor May – First Class Assignment
Textbooks:
- Steven D. Stark, Writing to Win (2012 edition). This book is currently showing as out of stock at the CSU bookstore, but it is widely available on Amazon (text and Kindle), Barnes and Noble (text and Nook), and in generic ebook format.
- Kamela Bridges & Wayne Schiess, Writing for Litigation (2011).
- You will also need a current Bluebook (19th Edition).
Please complete the following assignments for class on Thursday January 15.
Reading Assignment: Read Writing to Win, Introduction(s) and Chapters 1-3.
Writing Assignment: Please find an example of litigation writing – strong or weak – to bring to class. This can be a pleading, motion, or response brief. (Do not bring anything that is confidential.) It may be prepared by you or someone else, but please block out attorney names on the document. You should be able to find pleadings and briefs online in the Lexis, Westlaw, or Bloomberg databases. Do not use a generic form document.
Review the document you choose and then write no more than two double-spaced pages with your assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of the document, paying particular attention to persuasion (how well does it advance the client’s interests?), clarity of the writing, organization, and professionalism. Please provide specific support from the sample in your write up. Your write up should be organized, clearly written, and well-supported. Your assessment should focus on writing and persuasion rather than the particular legal subject matter of the document.
Please double-space this assignment and use 12-point Times New Roman font, with 1-inch margins and page numbers (omit number on the first page). Please attach your example to the write up with a binder clip or staple. Assignments are due at the beginning of class on January 15.