Persuasive Legal Writing Sample

Most students` legal writing improves significantly during law school, so choosing a current job should demonstrate your current strength and give employers confidence that they will practice similar skills on their behalf. On the other hand, if your last work is not your best written work, choose another sample. Try not to go too far back in time for the sample. For example, a 3L who submits a 1L lawyer`s letter raises questions about what he has written in the last two years. Finally, Career Services recommends that you send your sample in PDF format to avoid word processing formatting errors that may occur when the recipient opens the document. You can download your documents as PDF files for free via your Symplicity account. At some point during the application and interview process, most employers will ask for a writing sample. A sample of writing shows how well you organize and express your thoughts in writing. It also provides concrete evidence of your analytical skills. Of course, you want to submit a sample that presents your skills in the best possible light. Creating a positive writing sample requires careful thought and effort. As in all legal writing, consider your goal and target audience.

As mentioned above, your goal is to demonstrate your writing and analytical skills. Now consider who reads your sample and what their needs and motivations are. Chances are your reader – the potential employer – will have to read multiple writing samples in a short period of time. Here are some tips to make your sample user-friendly: Legal Writing Center writing fellows have experience creating their own writing samples. They also worked with students to review, revise and improve their legal writing samples. While they can`t comment on the strength of your legal analysis, they can help you organize and clarify your drafting. Individual appointments are possible. Log in to the CUNY Legal Writing Center TWEN website » Employers are looking for clear and effective legal texts and analyses. An objective inter-service memo or persuasive briefing are two acceptable vehicles to demonstrate your writing and analytical skills. We can`t stress enough the importance of refining and polishing your writing sample. Your writing sample gives the employer the level of care and attention – or lack of attention – you devote to your writing. If you choose a document that you have prepared for a clinic or law firm as a writing sample, most of the above tips apply.

However, you must also consider issues of confidentiality and solicitor-client privilege. Contact your professor or employer. Be careful when choosing a text that you co-authored with another student, such as a pleading brief, as it can be difficult to separate authorship into co-authored documents. Your writing sample should only be your writing.