Writing to Win: The Legal Writer

by Steven D. Stark

From a master teacher and writer, a fully revised and updated edition of the results-oriented approach to legal writing that is clear, that persuades—and that WINS.

More than almost any profession, the law has a deserved reputation for opaque, jargon-clogged writing. Yet forceful writing is one of the most potent weapons of legal advocacy. In this new edition of Writing to Win , Steven D. Stark, a former lecturer on law at Harvard Law School, who has inspired thousands of aspiring and practicing lawyers, applies the universal principles of powerful, vigorous prose to the job of making a legal case—and winning it.

Writing to Win focuses on the writing of lawyers, not judges, and includes dozens of examples of effective (and ineffective) real-life legal writing—as well as compelling models drawn from advertising, journalism, and fiction. It deals with the challenges lawyers face in writing, from organization to strengthening and editing prose; offers incisive ways of improving arguments; addresses litigation and technical writing in all its forms; and covers the writing attorneys must perform in their daily practice, from email memos to briefs and contracts. Each chapter opens with a succinct set of rules for easy reference.

With new sections on client communication and drafting affidavits, as well as updated material throughout, Writing to Win is the most practical and efficacious legal-writing manual available.

Genres: Law, Writing, Nonfiction, Legal, Reference, Professional Development

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

Steven D. Stark, a former world sports columnist for the Montreal Gazette and the author of four books and one e-book, has been a commentator for CNN, National Public Radio, and the Voice of America, where his role was to try to interpret American culture to the rest of the world. He has written frequently for the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, the Atlantic Monthly, and the Boston Globe where he was an op-ed columnist."

Reviews

[Elizabeth Pyjov · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read an excerpt from this and really liked it. Useful and well-written.

"The law is one of the principle literary professions. One might hazard the supposition that the average lawyer in the course of a lifetime does more writing than a novelist."

[Dexter Farlough · Rating 5 out of 5]

Writing to Win

Interesting read and informational. I found out a lot about the English language, writing technics, and again adjectives and adverbs in the expression of drafting and writings.

[Dick Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Guess it's not surprising that a book about writing well is written so well, but it is. Easy to read, informative.

[Graham Okely · Rating 3 out of 5]

A well organised book. Not always clear but worth reading.

[Jessica Mendez · Rating 5 out of 5]

concise, formulaic, organized - just how I like it!

[Lime Street Labrador · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mostly a bunch of general tips, like be concise and direct.

[Yanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well-written book. Had to read for work. A bit generic at times, but I liked all the excerpts.

[Linda Liang · Rating 4 out of 5]

I resumed reading this book. I found myself outlining what he was saying. The choices of words are intriguing. Lots of examples are vivid and fun. It's incredibly inspiring, as a lawyer is confused by the legalese daily. It has inspired me to be brave enough to stick to my ordinary senses.

Thank you!

One thing, though, is that parts of quotes introduced by the author make me feel disoriented because I do not know why they are there.

[CLM]

This was recommended by a colleague.

[Al Menaster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Halfway through this book I decided it was the best book on legal writing I've ever read. This was the 2000 edition; there's a 2012 edition I'm trying to get my hands on.

[Tony]

This is written for legal writers, but I found it a most useful and enlightening source for the kind of writing I do almost every day.

[J]

I think the book has a lot of good advice that most lawyers can apply immediately to their practices.

[Moi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read. The best is the middle part of book.

[M.E. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book contains great advice for legal writers. It has assured me that my chosen profession will allow me to utilize the skills that I have acquired since I started studying writing.