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Blog » 5 Tips For Writing Legal Briefs For Your Law Firm

5 Tips For Writing Legal Briefs For Your Law Firm

Last updated: 15 Mar, 2024 By | 6 Minutes Read

writing legal briefs

In the dynamic world of law, the ability to articulate your arguments effectively is paramount. This article provides you with a clear understanding of the skills required to draft compelling legal briefs. It will delve into the intricacies of how to write a legal brief, offering step-by-step instructions, best practices, and expert tips to help you navigate the complex terrain of legal writing. Whether you’re a seasoned attorney or a law student, this article will serve as a valuable resource in your pursuit of excellence in legal communication. 

What is a legal brief and why is it important?

A “Legal brief” is a written document that explains why a person is filing a case; it mostly accompanies a motion, which is also known as a legal memorandum or memorandum of law. Writing legal briefs in law firms is the most complex task, but it is essential to perform. Usually, attorneys have the habit of using long and complicated words rather than writing to the point.

When it comes to legal writing, lawyers should adhere to the three Cs of writing: be clear, concise, and crisp. Using the simplest possible English is really important; it should not confuse the reader at any point in time with acronyms. Law firms must be careful with the words, as choosing the right word and writing with the right attitude will help to convey messages without any resistance.

Although, if we talk about a single lawyer, their whole career is based on two main things: interpersonal skills and writing.

5 Tips to Write Legal Briefs for Your Law Firm

1. Be sure you understand the problem of your client:

When the client approaches you with their problems, then ask him many questions. Read all the related documents and make a note of it. Try to understand the situation of the client as much as you can and write a good memo or motion. There’s no other option to write a good research memo in the abstract because you will be in a much better position if you know the appropriate specifics.

2. Don’t depend totally on the Internet:

Associate your research book with computer searches; prefer some books on the law of well-known authors such as Corpus Secundum and American Jurisprudence. You can try to understand the subject matter by just thoroughly reading the indexes, digests, and treatises from the book. And when it comes to the internet, prefer the advanced-search function in google books; this will offer you a variety of resources in addition to what you find with Westlaw or Lexis.

3. Summarize your conclusions:

Whether you are writing a research memo or a brief, you will need an upfront summary that consists of 3 main aspects: the questions, the answers to those questions, and the explanation for those answers. If you are drafting a motion, write the aspects in such a way that your relatives or friends could understand, which is actually challenging for the lawyers.

4. Cut the unnecessary sentence:

Verbosity can make your writing confusing. So try to delete every complicated word. For example: “General consensus of opinions is doubly redundant”; the word consensus relates to opinion, and it is generally by nature; you can replace this phrase by using it with the number of or several or many. Once you have written all the terms and scenarios, go back and edit them to make sure they are concise and to the point.

5. Proofread one more time:

After completing the legal briefs, proofread them thoroughly before drafting. Seek assistance from someone proficient in proofreading to identify and replace complex or unclear phrases with simpler words. It’s essential to address potential issues before readers encounter them.

    Conclusion:

    Effective writing is essential for lawyers and law firms because most of the advocacy undertaken by lawyers is written advocacy. Most probably, lawyers spend their time drafting legal documents rather than in the courtroom. Nowadays, outsourcing legal research writing has become the most popular trend among law firms. Outsourcing legal brief writing services has enabled them to focus on their core business areas and build a relationship with their clients.

    Even after following the tips, If you still face issues in writing legal briefs, you may consider outsourcing some of your law firm’s operations to Cogneesol. We have experienced legal professionals to help you manage most of your daily tasks. To know more about our legal outsourcing services, contact us at +1 646 688 2821 or write to [email protected].

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