Ready for a Halloween-themed #legalwriting class
October 30, 2026 at 1:56 PM
Ready for a Halloween-themed #legalwriting class
It has been immeasurably helpful in doing & teaching #LegalWriting to be able to articulate how all the parts of a sentence work. (I never learned this in school {whole language education} and picked up my love of complex sentences from reading a lot from a young age.)
I think everyone should learn how to diagram a sentence
And I genuinely believe that this is part of how we save humanity
Because too many people don’t understand complex sentences anymore
And I genuinely believe that this is part of how we save humanity
Because too many people don’t understand complex sentences anymore
November 1, 2026 at 6:54 PM
It has been immeasurably helpful in doing & teaching #LegalWriting to be able to articulate how all the parts of a sentence work. (I never learned this in school {whole language education} and picked up my love of complex sentences from reading a lot from a young age.)
This memo and order is just unbelievable to me. Who gets it in the neck. The oozing loathing for the perjury in the submitted declarations. The footnote sweetly advising DOJ counsel to mend her ways in the future. The “Not so.” and the “Perhaps.” (Like Jesus Wept, for judicial or #legalwriting )
October 30, 2026 at 3:01 AM
This memo and order is just unbelievable to me. Who gets it in the neck. The oozing loathing for the perjury in the submitted declarations. The footnote sweetly advising DOJ counsel to mend her ways in the future. The “Not so.” and the “Perhaps.” (Like Jesus Wept, for judicial or #legalwriting )
~80% of writing advice is just tricks to start writing/stop “not writing” and just generally get out of your own way. Am I right? #AmWriting #LegalWriting
Snl Coffee Talk
ALT: Snl Coffee Talk
static.klipy.com
October 28, 2026 at 10:20 PM
~80% of writing advice is just tricks to start writing/stop “not writing” and just generally get out of your own way. Am I right? #AmWriting #LegalWriting
In case you missed the Bluebook discussion w/ @williambaude.bsky.social from last Friday. Enjoy!
#LegalWriting #Citation #Bluebook #Lab'y
#LegalWriting #Citation #Bluebook #Lab'y
In which I agree with almost everything, but not everything everything, that @williambaude.bsky.social says about The Bluebook.
#citation #T6AbbrMadness #Lab'y
ziffblog.wordpress.com/2026/10/23/z...
#citation #T6AbbrMadness #Lab'y
ziffblog.wordpress.com/2026/10/23/z...
Ziff on Baude on The Bluebook
It’s not often that one of our most-cited legal scholars writes something about the Bluebook. And yet here we are. When I first saw William Baude’s post on Tuesday, I thought, “Okay, here we go!” A…
ziffblog.wordpress.com
October 26, 2026 at 2:40 PM
In case you missed the Bluebook discussion w/ @williambaude.bsky.social from last Friday. Enjoy!
#LegalWriting #Citation #Bluebook #Lab'y
#LegalWriting #Citation #Bluebook #Lab'y
Synthesize, organize, and trim rule statements, presenting only what the judge needs. Keep uncontested rule statements short. Most rules need one supporting citation, not an extended explanation. #LegalWriting
October 22, 2026 at 11:48 PM
Synthesize, organize, and trim rule statements, presenting only what the judge needs. Keep uncontested rule statements short. Most rules need one supporting citation, not an extended explanation. #LegalWriting
Late night before a deadline, and the brief still needs citations checked?
DemonGuide builds legal brief drafts, runs them past 3 separate AI models to…
#DemonGuide #LegalTech #Attorneys #LawFirm #LegalWriting
brought to you by NFT Demon Holdings LLC
https://demonguide.com
DemonGuide builds legal brief drafts, runs them past 3 separate AI models to…
#DemonGuide #LegalTech #Attorneys #LawFirm #LegalWriting
brought to you by NFT Demon Holdings LLC
https://demonguide.com
October 22, 2026 at 9:00 PM
Late night before a deadline, and the brief still needs citations checked?
DemonGuide builds legal brief drafts, runs them past 3 separate AI models to…
#DemonGuide #LegalTech #Attorneys #LawFirm #LegalWriting
brought to you by NFT Demon Holdings LLC
https://demonguide.com
DemonGuide builds legal brief drafts, runs them past 3 separate AI models to…
#DemonGuide #LegalTech #Attorneys #LawFirm #LegalWriting
brought to you by NFT Demon Holdings LLC
https://demonguide.com
Word for Lawyers: Macros and Keyboard Shortcuts - A useful formatting macro and my favorite keyboard shortcuts for editing legal briefs: open.substack.com/pub/elegantl... #LegalWriting
Word for Lawyers: Macros and Keyboard Shortcuts
A useful formatting macro and my favorite keyboard shortcuts for editing legal briefs.
open.substack.com
October 13, 2026 at 5:52 PM
Word for Lawyers: Macros and Keyboard Shortcuts - A useful formatting macro and my favorite keyboard shortcuts for editing legal briefs: open.substack.com/pub/elegantl... #LegalWriting
A reminder for Washington lawyers: As-of September 1, you no longer need to (and should not) include the P., P.2d, or P.3d reporter information in your citations to Washington decisions. The current Style Sheet reflects the update! I wrote about the change here. #LegalWriting #Citation
October 10, 2026 at 9:35 PM
A reminder for Washington lawyers: As-of September 1, you no longer need to (and should not) include the P., P.2d, or P.3d reporter information in your citations to Washington decisions. The current Style Sheet reflects the update! I wrote about the change here. #LegalWriting #Citation
#Nebraska attorneys: If you haven't filed an appellate brief in a hot minute: the #formatting rules were massively changed in Jan 2022. If you're using an old template, be prepared to give it a good overhaul.
#courtrules #LegalWriting #LegalResearch #LawSky #Courts #NebraskaLaw #ProTip
#courtrules #LegalWriting #LegalResearch #LawSky #Courts #NebraskaLaw #ProTip
Wayback Machine
web.archive.org
October 6, 2026 at 8:21 PM
#Nebraska attorneys: If you haven't filed an appellate brief in a hot minute: the #formatting rules were massively changed in Jan 2022. If you're using an old template, be prepared to give it a good overhaul.
#courtrules #LegalWriting #LegalResearch #LawSky #Courts #NebraskaLaw #ProTip
#courtrules #LegalWriting #LegalResearch #LawSky #Courts #NebraskaLaw #ProTip
I write this comment on student papers: "This sentence is trying to do too much. You need to go step by step to allow the reader to digest each new piece of information before adding another layer of information. Break it up. Let it breathe a bit."
And goodness, this is Exhibit A.
#LegalWriting
And goodness, this is Exhibit A.
#LegalWriting
September 30, 2026 at 9:35 PM
I write this comment on student papers: "This sentence is trying to do too much. You need to go step by step to allow the reader to digest each new piece of information before adding another layer of information. Break it up. Let it breathe a bit."
And goodness, this is Exhibit A.
#LegalWriting
And goodness, this is Exhibit A.
#LegalWriting
Law Assignment Help -Expert Online Assignment Support
#LawAssignmentHelp #LawStudents #LawAssignment #AssignmentHelp #OnlineAssignmentHelp #LegalWriting #LawHomework #LawResearch #CaseStudy #LegalStudies #AcademicWriting #UniversityStudents
#LawAssignmentHelp #LawStudents #LawAssignment #AssignmentHelp #OnlineAssignmentHelp #LegalWriting #LawHomework #LawResearch #CaseStudy #LegalStudies #AcademicWriting #UniversityStudents
September 17, 2026 at 4:59 AM
Law Assignment Help -Expert Online Assignment Support
#LawAssignmentHelp #LawStudents #LawAssignment #AssignmentHelp #OnlineAssignmentHelp #LegalWriting #LawHomework #LawResearch #CaseStudy #LegalStudies #AcademicWriting #UniversityStudents
#LawAssignmentHelp #LawStudents #LawAssignment #AssignmentHelp #OnlineAssignmentHelp #LegalWriting #LawHomework #LawResearch #CaseStudy #LegalStudies #AcademicWriting #UniversityStudents
AI Custom Instructions for Lawyers: How lawyers can use custom instructions in ChatGPT, Claude, and other AI tools to reduce made-up facts and unsupported assumptions. open.substack.com/pub/elegantl...
#LegalWriting #LegalAI #LegalTech
#LegalWriting #LegalAI #LegalTech
AI Custom Instructions for Lawyers: ChatGPT and Claude
How lawyers can use custom instructions in ChatGPT, Claude, and other AI tools to reduce made-up facts and unsupported assumptions.
open.substack.com
September 16, 2026 at 11:27 PM
AI Custom Instructions for Lawyers: How lawyers can use custom instructions in ChatGPT, Claude, and other AI tools to reduce made-up facts and unsupported assumptions. open.substack.com/pub/elegantl...
#LegalWriting #LegalAI #LegalTech
#LegalWriting #LegalAI #LegalTech
One of the many reasons AI can't produce good writing is it can't hate its own writing. It can't think to itself "Maybe I'm illiterate" during the writing process. And that's essential
September 10, 2026 at 2:52 PM
DANGERS OF METAPHORS
… no joke folks, whomever you write for about whatever, be mindful.
a metaphor, like AI, is purpose-built to take the reader on a tangent. walk that tangent’s path before they do. identify unexpected side paths.
#Writing #LegalWriting
… no joke folks, whomever you write for about whatever, be mindful.
a metaphor, like AI, is purpose-built to take the reader on a tangent. walk that tangent’s path before they do. identify unexpected side paths.
#Writing #LegalWriting
This is a great thread on the dangers of using shitty metaphors to describe what AI is doing and how it shapes the narrative:
"Did these AI models “go rogue”? Not exactly.
the models were tasked with finding solutions to a hacking challenge, and this is what they attempted to do, though in an unintended and surprising manner."
aiguide.substack.com/p/misleading...
the models were tasked with finding solutions to a hacking challenge, and this is what they attempted to do, though in an unintended and surprising manner."
aiguide.substack.com/p/misleading...
September 10, 2026 at 9:54 PM
DANGERS OF METAPHORS
… no joke folks, whomever you write for about whatever, be mindful.
a metaphor, like AI, is purpose-built to take the reader on a tangent. walk that tangent’s path before they do. identify unexpected side paths.
#Writing #LegalWriting
… no joke folks, whomever you write for about whatever, be mindful.
a metaphor, like AI, is purpose-built to take the reader on a tangent. walk that tangent’s path before they do. identify unexpected side paths.
#Writing #LegalWriting
Can I write an amicus brief for this appeal? Who wants to join? The perfect Clear Error case.
www.nbcnews.com/sports/colle... #legalwriting #appellatesky
www.nbcnews.com/sports/colle... #legalwriting #appellatesky
MAC appeals Michigan-Western Michigan result, asks NCAA and CFP to recognize Broncos as winner
Michigan won 13-12 on a Hail Mary pass after the replay official put one second back on the clock.
www.nbcnews.com
September 9, 2026 at 1:40 AM
Can I write an amicus brief for this appeal? Who wants to join? The perfect Clear Error case.
www.nbcnews.com/sports/colle... #legalwriting #appellatesky
www.nbcnews.com/sports/colle... #legalwriting #appellatesky
Shorter, tighter documents, arguments, and sentences — with everything that is dispensable proactively disposed of rather than left for the judge to sort out — are more likely to attract and hold the judge’s attention. #LegalWriting open.substack.com/pub/elegantl...
Concision motivates judges to read your brief
Concision is about more than reducing word count; it motivates judges to pick up your brief and read it all the way through.
open.substack.com
September 9, 2026 at 3:17 AM
Shorter, tighter documents, arguments, and sentences — with everything that is dispensable proactively disposed of rather than left for the judge to sort out — are more likely to attract and hold the judge’s attention. #LegalWriting open.substack.com/pub/elegantl...
Just downloaded (and looking forward to reading) "Interpretive Facts" (papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....). Very excited to read a legal scholar who takes language seriously and writes from a literature-informed perspective! Welcome to #LegalWriting!
cc: @hkpmw.bsky.social
cc: @hkpmw.bsky.social
September 4, 2026 at 5:57 PM
Just downloaded (and looking forward to reading) "Interpretive Facts" (papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....). Very excited to read a legal scholar who takes language seriously and writes from a literature-informed perspective! Welcome to #LegalWriting!
cc: @hkpmw.bsky.social
cc: @hkpmw.bsky.social
The music choices leave it a little less soothing for me, but highly recommended for typography geeks. #LegalWriting #TypographyForLawyers
September 2, 2026 at 12:32 AM
The music choices leave it a little less soothing for me, but highly recommended for typography geeks. #LegalWriting #TypographyForLawyers
Can you spot the flaws in this sentence from a brief?
“In the case at bar, the defendants failed to disclose the cumulative effect of its standard billing practices on the number of actual airtime/talk time minutes contained in each and every rate plan.”
linkedin.com/posts/ryanmc... #legalwriting
“In the case at bar, the defendants failed to disclose the cumulative effect of its standard billing practices on the number of actual airtime/talk time minutes contained in each and every rate plan.”
linkedin.com/posts/ryanmc... #legalwriting
#legalwriting #appellate #litigation | Ryan McCarl
Can you spot the style flaws in this sentence from a legal brief?
“In the case at bar, the defendants failed to disclose the cumulative effect of its standard billing practices on the number of actua...
www.linkedin.com
August 25, 2026 at 8:57 PM
Can you spot the flaws in this sentence from a brief?
“In the case at bar, the defendants failed to disclose the cumulative effect of its standard billing practices on the number of actual airtime/talk time minutes contained in each and every rate plan.”
linkedin.com/posts/ryanmc... #legalwriting
“In the case at bar, the defendants failed to disclose the cumulative effect of its standard billing practices on the number of actual airtime/talk time minutes contained in each and every rate plan.”
linkedin.com/posts/ryanmc... #legalwriting
Can you fool me with AI-generated prose? Let’s experiment. Submit a passage that you know is human-written or AI-generated. I’ll reply with my judgment and the features or heuristics that influenced it. www.elegantlegalwriting.com/p/can-you-fo... #legalwriting #AI
Can you fool me with AI-generated prose?
Submit a passage that you know is human-written or AI-generated. I’ll reply with my judgment and the features or heuristics that influenced it.
www.elegantlegalwriting.com
August 24, 2026 at 8:32 PM
Can you fool me with AI-generated prose? Let’s experiment. Submit a passage that you know is human-written or AI-generated. I’ll reply with my judgment and the features or heuristics that influenced it. www.elegantlegalwriting.com/p/can-you-fo... #legalwriting #AI
Imagining what most lawyers would say if opposing counsel snuck a period inside a quote without brackets, especially when the truncated works made the sentence mean the opposite. #LegalWriting
Would it surprise anyone to learn that the quotation from Veasey is misleadingly truncated?
The actual sentence is "Mail-in ballots are not secure and require an application in advance of the election and mailing or returning the ballot before election day."
The actual sentence is "Mail-in ballots are not secure and require an application in advance of the election and mailing or returning the ballot before election day."
5th Cir., by Judge Oldham, just straight-up lying about mail ballots.
Held: plaintiff-organizations (mostly) lack standing to challenge Texas' S.B. 1 (2021), which imposed new limits on mail ballots and ballot harvesting.
www.ca5.uscourts.gov/opinions/pub...
Held: plaintiff-organizations (mostly) lack standing to challenge Texas' S.B. 1 (2021), which imposed new limits on mail ballots and ballot harvesting.
www.ca5.uscourts.gov/opinions/pub...
August 13, 2026 at 12:35 AM
Imagining what most lawyers would say if opposing counsel snuck a period inside a quote without brackets, especially when the truncated works made the sentence mean the opposite. #LegalWriting
Can I consistently detect unedited AI-generated prose? Let’s experiment: www.linkedin.com/posts/ryanmc...
#AI #legalwriting #writing
#AI #legalwriting #writing
#ai #writing #legalwriting | Ryan McCarl | 20 comments
Can I consistently detect unedited AI-generated prose? Let’s experiment.
Post a passage in the comments that you know with certainty is either human-written or AI-generated. Please follow these rules...
www.linkedin.com
August 10, 2026 at 9:25 PM
Can I consistently detect unedited AI-generated prose? Let’s experiment: www.linkedin.com/posts/ryanmc...
#AI #legalwriting #writing
#AI #legalwriting #writing
I want to talk about #legalwriting
I was a TA for legal writing in law school, and -- I'm a good writer.
I'm advising a board and had to read briefs from one of the parties, represented by a big law firm, and this thing, written by a Penn grad, was the most churned up, overwrought piece of garbage
I was a TA for legal writing in law school, and -- I'm a good writer.
I'm advising a board and had to read briefs from one of the parties, represented by a big law firm, and this thing, written by a Penn grad, was the most churned up, overwrought piece of garbage
September 16, 2025 at 1:30 PM
I want to talk about #legalwriting
I was a TA for legal writing in law school, and -- I'm a good writer.
I'm advising a board and had to read briefs from one of the parties, represented by a big law firm, and this thing, written by a Penn grad, was the most churned up, overwrought piece of garbage
I was a TA for legal writing in law school, and -- I'm a good writer.
I'm advising a board and had to read briefs from one of the parties, represented by a big law firm, and this thing, written by a Penn grad, was the most churned up, overwrought piece of garbage
AI, legal practice, and why critical thinking matters more than ever sites.suffolk.edu/legalwriting...
The Importance of Critical Thinking in the Age of AI
sites.suffolk.edu
April 28, 2025 at 8:51 PM
AI, legal practice, and why critical thinking matters more than ever sites.suffolk.edu/legalwriting...