Effective Lawyering: A Checklist Approach to Legal Writing and Oral Argument

This book is for law students and practitioners who want to learn, or be reminded of, the fundamentals of legal writing and oral advocacy. Effective Lawyering concisely describes useful, yet often neglected, writing techniques. The book has pithy discussions of:
(1) ways to avoid recurring, yet frequently overlooked, writing problems;
(2) sensible approaches to writing common legal documents; and
(3) methods for preparing an oral argument.
In addition, it provides the reader with a series of checklists to turn to when undertaking a writing project or preparing for oral argument. The authors have designed the book for practicing attorneys as well as law students. The book is an ideal supplement for first-year and advanced legal writing courses, for upper-division skills courses, and for students participating in law journals or moot court programs. Short and to-the-point, the book's unique check-list approach will help law students and practitioners improve their writing methodically.

“A practical book like this one has oft been thought but never so well expressed. Parrish and Yokoyama waste no words delivering immediately helpful teachings and tips on persuasive legal writing. Unlike the many lengthy tomes on legal writing, this little book will be a well-thumbed reference – a ready tool for survival and success.” Scott Wood, Clinical Professor of Law, Loyola Law School, Los Angeles

“My students simply do not have the time or the motivation to plunge into comprehensive writing books. I am confident, however, that they will use the concisely-framed rules, useful examples, and accessible check-lists that Effective Lawyering provides. Finally, we have a writing and advocacy book that will be kept close at hand!" Russell A. Miller, Professor of Law, University of Idaho Law School

“Professors Parrish and Yokoyama have written a dandy checklist-oriented writing handbook for lawyers and law students. I’m sure I’ve given my students every suggestion offered here, but now they have a convenient, user-friendly way to access those suggestions at home or at the office. The handbook is clear, concise, and non intimidating, written in low-key, plain English. I’ll recommend it, and my students might even use it!" Prof. Eric B. Easton, Professor of Law and Co-Director, Legal Skills Program, University of Baltimore School of Law

“This extremely useful guide for legal writing of all kinds (including briefs, opinion letters, academic writing, and oral argument) presents clear and concise concepts and illustrations for organizing and clarifying what lawyers say in a variety of contexts. This book uses a very helpful format of checklists to improve the writing of all who work in the law – students, practicing lawyers, professors and yes, judges too!” Prof. Carrie Menkel-Meadows, A.B. Chettle Jr. Professor of Dispute Resolution and Civil Procedure, Georgetown University Law Center, Co-Editor-In-Chief, Journal of Legal Education

“Clear and concise writing is the hallmark of a good lawyer. Professors Parrish and Yokoyama provide sound practical advice to junior attorneys and law students. Effective Lawyering is invaluable for new attorneys.” Robert H. Philibosian, Partner, Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP, former Los Angeles County District Attorney and California Chief Deputy Attorney General

"The Parrish and Yokoyama book is a valuable and different kind of resource for law students and practicing attorneys. What distinguishes this book are the to-the-point, self-contained chapters. The chapters get to the essence of the topics without any 'fluff!'” Lillian Aponte Miranda, Assistant Professor of Law, Florida International University College of Law

"Professors Dennis Yokoyama and Austen Parrish have written an excellent and concise guide to legal writing. . . . I read and commented on the book before its publication, and recommend it highly." Professor Byron Stiers, Southwestern Law School

"What the authors add to the existing literature on writing and argument is an interesting mix of checklists and very practical advice tailored to a word-processing/e-mail world.  The book is very accessible, the authors taking their own advice about clarity and brevity.  The layout makes it easy to scan for quick reminders and explication. . . .  Understood as a quick reference and a checklist for experienced students and lawyers, this is a book I can recommend."  Professor Elizabeth M. McKenzie,  Director of Moakley Law Library, Suffolk Univ. Law School

"In barely 120 pages, the book provides pithy advice and checklists for composing all kinds of legal argumentation . . . Despite its brevity, the book captures subtle but important distinctions in content and tone between trial and appellate briefs, and offers valuable insights into how to write for courts, clients, supervising attorneys and scholarly legal publication.  But the real meat of the book is the first chapter . . .[which] neatly catalogs all the tics and dithers that make so much legal writing unbearable and explains how to avoid them."    Professor KC Sheehan, Southwestern Law School

“Austen L. Parrish and Dennis T. Yokoyama have authored a little bible for legal writing. . . . [T]his little gem of a book is an excellent primer and should be in every law student's and lawyer's briefcase for quick and easy reference . . . you will find 150 tightly written pages with fully fleshed out checklists, including preparation, approach to research and more . . . And each checklist is power-packed, punchy and concise. . . . I wish I had this book when I was both in law school and practicing.  It would have made my life much easier.  It's just brilliantly done and will save you hours upon hours of frustration when you have to do your legal writing or prepare for oral argument.  I highly recommend this book to law students and practitioners alike.”  Susan Cartier Liebel, National Coach/Consultant, Build a Solo Practice, LLC

“The book takes its own advice.  The writing is tight, and each section is almost sparse . . . .  Each chapter has tips specific to the topic being covered.  The tips are a great touch.  They reveal fundamental insights that experience teaches and one usually must learn the hard way. . . . Parrish and Yokoyama present a book that aids the novice, the expert, and anyone in between who strives to improve and maintain high quality skills in writing and all aspects of lawyering.”  Prof. Deven Desai, Thomas Jefferson Law School

Effective Lawyering is “a short and sweet guide to effective legal writing of all kinds . . . . It provides good, simple advice about how to write effectively; it also contains a series of checklists, which makes it a good desk reference for students – and lawyers! – who want to make sure their writing is effective before sending it out into the world.”  Prof. Paul Horwitz, Univ. of Alabama Law School of Law

“Effective Lawyering is the perfect book to help both students and practicing attorneys write clearly and concisely, whether for objective memos or for trial and appellate briefs. The book also has an excellent chapter on oral argument. The authors offer outstanding advice on everything from formatting (how many other writing books discuss widowed and orphaned text?) to academic writing. The checklists are invaluable. This book is a jewel.” Prof. Jolen Wolf, Florida State University College of Law

“It's the time of year when a fair number of second year students doing law review are contemplating the project that lies ahead -- drafting a note of their very own. Several students have asked me for advice on the writing process, and I've been pleased to refer them to a new book by Austen Parrish and Dennis Yokoyama, Effective Lawyering: A Checklist Approach to Legal Writing and Oral Argument. It's a succinct and easy-to-read distillation of the various writing projects lawyers encounter, including a chapter on academic writing.”   Prof. Duncan Hollis, Temple Law School