Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1999

First Page

491

Journal Title Abbreviation

U. Cin. L. Rev.

Abstract

The legal profession is constantly evolving to keep pace with our increasingly complex society.' Today, the legal profession "is larger and more diverse than ever before." Despite this transformation, "the law has remained a single profession identified with a perceived common body of learning, skills and values." This common body of learning, skills, and values constitutes the fundamental elements of competent representation. Writing is one of the essential skills of competent representation.

"Law is a profession of words." Lawyers use words, both written and oral, in a wide array of contexts-to advise, to advocate, to elicit information, to establish legal obligations, and to effectuate legal transactions. To provide competent representation, a lawyer must communicate effectively.' However, since Dean Langdell introduced the Socratic method, law schools have elevated oral communication skills over written communication skills. Writing has suffered the status of a poor relation in the law school curriculum." Nonetheless, writing is central to the practice of law."

"Good legal writing is a virtual necessity for good lawyering. Without good legal writing, good lawyering is wasted....", The goal of legal writing is to convey information to the intended audience.

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