Introduction to legal writing & other lawyering skills
Introduction to American legal system
Reading and briefing cases : the basics
The lawyer as advisor : "human" factors that complicate your role
The lawyer as investigator : the client interview
Evaluating rules of law
Evaluating a case
Evaluating how an earlier case affects your client
The office memorandum : an overview
The discussion section : the basic template for analysis
The discussion section : drafting the analysis (single case)
Evaluating multiple cases
The discussion section : drafting the analysis (multiple cases)
The discussion section : drafting roadmap paragraphs
Drafting an office memo : completing the draft
Revising and finalizing the memo : content & organizational structure
Revising & finalizing the memo : sentence structure & word choice
Selecting cases for the memo
Drafting short memos : the thin-sliced analysis
Professional e-mail communications
Drafting client letters
The lawyer as advisor/collaborator : counseling the client
Persuasive writing style strategies
Fact-centered arguments : pre-drafting strategies
Fact-centered arguments : drafting the argument
Law-centered arguments : working with mandatory case precedent
Law-centered arguments : working with policy
Law-centered arguments : working with statutes
Drafting law-centered arguments based on statutes & policy
Addressing unfavorable law and arguments
Trial & appellate court briefs
Trial & appellate court briefs : the factual statement
Trial & appellate court briefs : drafting roadmaps of the argument
Summary judgment briefs
Appellate court briefs : scope of review & statement of the issues
Oral arguments
Demand & settlement letters.