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Elegant Legal Writing
Elegant Legal Writing helps attorneys elevate their writing from passable to polished. Drawing on ideas from cognitive science and prose stylistics as well as litigation strategy, the book teaches practical techniques by example using fast-paced chapters. Readers will learn to:
- Write clear, readable, efficient prose.
- Craft persuasive, audience-focused arguments.
- Tell a client’s story through a compelling narrative.
- Overcome procrastination and draft more productively.
Readability, aesthetics, and argumentation are intertwined. Litigation documents that are easier and more pleasant to read — concise and direct, with all unnecessary complexity removed — are more likely to persuade busy readers such as judges.
The book also discusses parts of legal writing that many guides overlook, including sentence mechanics, writing technology, and typography.
About the Author:
Ryan McCarl is a Founding Partner at Rushing McCarl LLP and adjunct professor at Loyola LMU School of Law. Previously, he was a research fellow in AI law and policy at the UCLA School of Law, where he designed and taught a course on advanced legal writing. He has given talks about litigation writing, motion strategy, and appellate advocacy to audiences including the ABA Litigation Section and the Texas Office of the Attorney General.
Editorial Reviews:
“Elegant Legal Writing is a book to study and savor. Its non-intimidating and readable format exposes law students and lawyers to a plethora of crucial concepts to transform their writing from passable to great. Although the substance of legal writing is important, Ryan McCarl reminds us that persuasiveness requires more: style.” — Peggy Kline Kirkpatrick, Legal Writing Instructor, Mitchell Hamline School of Law
“Elegant Legal Writing is a terrific addition to the field. Bristling with sage advice and generous examples, this book will help you navigate nearly every legal-writing hurdle in your path.” — Ross Guberman, author of Point Made: How to Write Like the Nation’s Top Advocates
“This clear and straightforward guide will be tremendously useful for any law students or lawyers who want to improve their writing—something that all but the most gifted few should want to do.” — Eugene Volokh, author of Academic Legal Writing
“In this elegant guide, McCarl covers the good, the bad, and the ugly of legal writing. Packed with real examples and road-tested tips, this book is a lifeline for busy lawyers and law students who need to communicate clearly, effectively, and ethically under tight time constraints.” — Lee Fennell, Max Pam Professor of Law, University of Chicago Law School
“The Elements of Style for the legal profession. McCarl’s tips will make your legal prose sing.” — Clifford W. Gilbert-Lurie, Managing Partner, Ziffren Brittenham LLP
“An excellent resource for legal writers at all stages of their careers, from law students to experienced litigators. Writing with the elegance that he advocates, McCarl instructs with clear explanations, helpful examples, and practical suggestions. He succeeds in demystifying the art of legal writing.” — S. Elizabeth Gibson, Burton Craige Professor of Law Emerita, University of North Carolina School of Law
“Keep McCarl's tips in mind and judges will read your briefs with appreciation rather than frustration—which in turn makes for more auspicious oral arguments and results.” — Tim Kowal, appellate attorney and co-host of the California Appellate Law Podcast
- Write clear, readable, efficient prose.
- Craft persuasive, audience-focused arguments.
- Tell a client’s story through a compelling narrative.
- Overcome procrastination and draft more productively.
Readability, aesthetics, and argumentation are intertwined. Litigation documents that are easier and more pleasant to read — concise and direct, with all unnecessary complexity removed — are more likely to persuade busy readers such as judges.
The book also discusses parts of legal writing that many guides overlook, including sentence mechanics, writing technology, and typography.
About the Author:
Ryan McCarl is a Founding Partner at Rushing McCarl LLP and adjunct professor at Loyola LMU School of Law. Previously, he was a research fellow in AI law and policy at the UCLA School of Law, where he designed and taught a course on advanced legal writing. He has given talks about litigation writing, motion strategy, and appellate advocacy to audiences including the ABA Litigation Section and the Texas Office of the Attorney General.
Editorial Reviews:
“Elegant Legal Writing is a book to study and savor. Its non-intimidating and readable format exposes law students and lawyers to a plethora of crucial concepts to transform their writing from passable to great. Although the substance of legal writing is important, Ryan McCarl reminds us that persuasiveness requires more: style.” — Peggy Kline Kirkpatrick, Legal Writing Instructor, Mitchell Hamline School of Law
“Elegant Legal Writing is a terrific addition to the field. Bristling with sage advice and generous examples, this book will help you navigate nearly every legal-writing hurdle in your path.” — Ross Guberman, author of Point Made: How to Write Like the Nation’s Top Advocates
“This clear and straightforward guide will be tremendously useful for any law students or lawyers who want to improve their writing—something that all but the most gifted few should want to do.” — Eugene Volokh, author of Academic Legal Writing
“In this elegant guide, McCarl covers the good, the bad, and the ugly of legal writing. Packed with real examples and road-tested tips, this book is a lifeline for busy lawyers and law students who need to communicate clearly, effectively, and ethically under tight time constraints.” — Lee Fennell, Max Pam Professor of Law, University of Chicago Law School
“The Elements of Style for the legal profession. McCarl’s tips will make your legal prose sing.” — Clifford W. Gilbert-Lurie, Managing Partner, Ziffren Brittenham LLP
“An excellent resource for legal writers at all stages of their careers, from law students to experienced litigators. Writing with the elegance that he advocates, McCarl instructs with clear explanations, helpful examples, and practical suggestions. He succeeds in demystifying the art of legal writing.” — S. Elizabeth Gibson, Burton Craige Professor of Law Emerita, University of North Carolina School of Law
“Keep McCarl's tips in mind and judges will read your briefs with appreciation rather than frustration—which in turn makes for more auspicious oral arguments and results.” — Tim Kowal, appellate attorney and co-host of the California Appellate Law Podcast
- GenresLaw
224 pages, Hardcover
Published February 6, 2024
29 people are currently reading
68 people want to read
About the author
Ryan McCarl
2 books2 followersRyan McCarl is the author of Elegant Legal Writing (U. Cal. Press 2024), a founding partner at business litigation firm Rushing McCarl LLP, and an adjunct professor at LMU Loyola Law School. Mr. McCarl previously served as an AI Law and Policy research fellow at the UCLA School of Law, where he taught Advanced Legal Writing.
Mr. McCarl has given talks about legal writing, appellate advocacy, and litigation strategy to audiences including the ABA Litigation Section and the State of Texas Office of the Attorney General.
Before co-founding Rushing McCarl LLP, Mr. McCarl clerked for the Honorable David M. Ebel on the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, worked as a litigator at WilmerHale and Hueston Hennigan, and founded an educational technology startup. He has published articles and book chapters on diverse topics including artificial intelligence and law, substantive due process, claim preclusion, constitutional vagueness doctrine, sovereign debt arbitration, and property rights. His articles have appeared in outlets including the Cincinnati Law Review and Stanford Journal of International Law
In 2022, Mr. McCarl helped Rushing McCarl LLP secure a $17.8 million federal jury verdict on behalf of a cosmetics manufacturer and obtain an against-the-odds Ninth Circuit reversal against a major airline.
Mr. McCarl earned his J.D. with Honors from the University of Chicago Law School, where he was a member of the Chicago Journal of International Law. He earned an M.A. in International Relations and B.A. in Political Science at the University of Chicago, where he was a captain of the track team and broke the school record in cross country. He also earned an M.A. in Education at the University of Michigan and taught high school history and geography.
Mr. McCarl has given talks about legal writing, appellate advocacy, and litigation strategy to audiences including the ABA Litigation Section and the State of Texas Office of the Attorney General.
Before co-founding Rushing McCarl LLP, Mr. McCarl clerked for the Honorable David M. Ebel on the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, worked as a litigator at WilmerHale and Hueston Hennigan, and founded an educational technology startup. He has published articles and book chapters on diverse topics including artificial intelligence and law, substantive due process, claim preclusion, constitutional vagueness doctrine, sovereign debt arbitration, and property rights. His articles have appeared in outlets including the Cincinnati Law Review and Stanford Journal of International Law
In 2022, Mr. McCarl helped Rushing McCarl LLP secure a $17.8 million federal jury verdict on behalf of a cosmetics manufacturer and obtain an against-the-odds Ninth Circuit reversal against a major airline.
Mr. McCarl earned his J.D. with Honors from the University of Chicago Law School, where he was a member of the Chicago Journal of International Law. He earned an M.A. in International Relations and B.A. in Political Science at the University of Chicago, where he was a captain of the track team and broke the school record in cross country. He also earned an M.A. in Education at the University of Michigan and taught high school history and geography.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
December 19, 2024
An excellent reference for anyone in the legal profession or anyone interested in polishing up their writing skills.
Well written and informative. Ryan McCarl is an expert no non-sense voice of reason.
Well written and informative. Ryan McCarl is an expert no non-sense voice of reason.
July 13, 2025
The book is full of clear, helpful examples that walk you through how to elevate your writing. It’s focused on clarity and precision while still encouraging style and voice.
One of the standout features is the gender-inclusive writing section. It doesn’t just pay lip service to inclusivity, it offers concrete strategies for respectful, modern language that still meets the formality expected in legal writing.
As a refresher, it’s fantastic. As a starting point, even better.
One of the standout features is the gender-inclusive writing section. It doesn’t just pay lip service to inclusivity, it offers concrete strategies for respectful, modern language that still meets the formality expected in legal writing.
As a refresher, it’s fantastic. As a starting point, even better.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews