Choosing A Legal Writing Coach

By Marcie Goodman


If you have recently qualified as a lawyer or another job in the legal profession then you need to be sure that you are confident in your skills. While having the right knowledge is important you need to be sure that you can properly communicate with your clients. One of the most effective ways to improve this is by using the services of a legal writing coach.

There are numerous reasons why this is important. The first is that you need to ensure that anything you write is properly worded. For example as well as defence and prosecution lawyers are often asked to check business contracts. You need to be sure these are properly written so that both parties understand the contract and that there are no loopholes that could be exploited.

Furthermore lawyers are often involved with contracts. You need to be sure that a contract is properly written. This can reduce delays in deals as people do not argue over the finer points and that everything is properly clarified before people sign an agreement and are satisfied with the deal.

However it is not just technical detail. A coach can ensure that what you write is written in an interesting and engaging way. This is especially important when writing cases for the prosecution or the defence. You do not necessarily need to make a big grandstanding speech but you should not purely write technical details.

Admittedly this is not as simple as finding a formula. There are no templates that will perfectly fit all areas. In some cases some wording will have to be changed to suit different local areas. A coach with awareness of your local area is more likely to know what people will respond to.

It also helps to be flexible. There does not tend to be a one size fits all approach. Some local areas may differ in what goes down well compared to other areas. This is something that an experienced coach can discuss with you and give you more of an idea of what kind of work is most appropriate for your local area.

Ideally you want to choose someone who will give you samples of their work. As with an artist they ought to have some form of portfolio. It also helps to look up their experience to be sure that they are properly qualified to coach you. You do not want to risk your career by seeking advice from someone who does not have the appropriate qualifications to do so.

You can find numerous legal writing coach directories and websites online. It is best to contact at least three as this will allow you to compare the cost of their services and their level of experience. It is also advisable to look them up online and ask for feedback from previous clients to see whether or not they were satisfied with the coaching they received. With the right approach you will find the right one to benefit your legal writing skills.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment