Legal Writing in the 21st Century

In this webinar, we will create a checklist for drafting effective emails and documents.

The overarching goal of the webinar is to help you visualize your own communications from the perspective of your readers. Whether your readers are your clients or fellow lawyers, they will rarely possess the same knowledge as you. While a client may be unfamiliar with certain legal concepts, a lawyer may be unfamiliar with the file on which you are working. In order to write effectively, writers must bridge the gap between them and their readers.

By attending this webinar, you will master techniques for writing to your various readers.

Throughout the webinar, you will be thinking critically about the writing samples in front of you. You will also be given optional exercises where you will see how easy it is to apply the advice in each section.

INTENDED AUDIENCE:

This webinar will benefit both transactional lawyers and litigators. For instance, the “Clarity” section has similarities to the teachings of Ken Adams (who is a world-leading expert on contract law), and the “Readability” section includes tips from Justice John I. Laskin (who is regarded as the “Dean of Legal Writing in Canada”).

Nonetheless, the primary focus of this webinar is neither transactional documents nor pleadings. Rather, this webinar is primarily intended to help you sharpen your written communication with clients. Every day, you find yourself writing to clients about technical subjects, knowing that each one of your readers has a different level of understanding.

By the end of this webinar, you will be an expert at putting yourself in the shoes of your readers. By adopting their perspective, you will be able to draft correspondence that is easy to read and understand.

TOPICS AND TAKEAWAYS:

Section 1: Clarity – writing unambiguously Section 2: Conciseness and Attention to Detail – using fewer words and demonstrating your diligence Section 3: Email Etiquette – best practices for communicating by email Section 4: Readability – drafting documents that are easy to review

This program contains 4 hours and 30 minutes of Professionalism Content.