Expert Legal Drafting Services: Drafting Legal Documents That Give You The Winning Edge

At Indian Society of Legal Writers (ISLW), we understand that victory often lies in the details when it comes to legal drafting. Which is why top lawyers and law firms rely on our expertise to create watertight legal documents.

With over a decade of experience, our team assists with drafting and fine-tuning a wide range of documents like petitions, motions, contracts, and notices tailored to your exact legal situation.

Whether you need an airtight business agreement drafted from scratch or a persuasive appellate brief to overturn a judgment, we have you covered. Our mastery of precedents and legal research abilities allow us to make compelling arguments in your favour.

For high-stakes litigation, our insight helps with trial preparation – from incisive cross-examinations to winning written and oral submissions. We work seamlessly with lawyers to augment their capabilities, not override their strategy.

At Indian Society of Legal Writers (ISLW), we park our egos at the door. Our sole focus is using our legal drafting expertise to tip the scales in your favour. When winning matters, rely on us for specialised legal drafting services.

Get in touch with our round-the-clock assistance for a free consultation today.

JOIN PLAIN ENGLISH LEGAL WRITING FOR LAW STUDENTS COURSE

Now you can join the course to learn and improve your legal writing skills with practical exercises on the e-learning platform. The program has 6 modules and 25 lessons on the important principles of plain English legal writing. You can access the Course materials for the full year. We will continue to update the course content regularly with audio/video lectures, PowerPoint presentations, articles, and assignments.

A lawyer’s competence is at times judged based on his ability to write persuasive, clear and accurate documents. This online free course is intended for students wishing to improve their ability to write sharp, clear prose, to edit their own and others’ writing, and to become more proficient and efficient at composing and organizing written documents.

Learning Objectives

• Contract drafting
• Document drafting
• Research methods
• Analytical reasoning
• Structured writing
• Issues of style and syntax
• Legal referencing, citations and quotations (including plagiarism awareness)
• Writing of a research proposal
• Structure, style, layout and content
• Analyzing and conceptualizing legal issues.
• Organizing strategies (outlining, decision trees, cluster diagrams).
• Structuring legal arguments and documents (macro & microstructure).
• Using core writing techniques, including clarity, cohesion, concision, and Plain English concerns.
• Writing strong introductions and conclusions.
• Mastering objective v. persuasive techniques.
• Using new editing techniques.
• Sharpening efficient writing and editing skills using timed assignments.
• Improving oral skills presenting legal analysis to clients and senior lawyers.
• Inter-active writing exercises
• Find, interpret and use various types of legal authorities
• Using legal authorities
• Write a legal analysis
• Draft a Memorandum of Law
• Write a brief case opinion
• Engage in various forms of legal writing
• Grammar exercises
• Legal vocabulary
• Legal glossary

Learn the history and foundation of legal writing. 2. Develop a clear and effective writing style; learn to use logic in developing written legal arguments; analyze judicial opinions and fact situations. 3. Practice writing client correspondence, complaints, motions, memoranda of points and authorities, intraoffice memoranda, and other legal documents

Features of Legal Writing

• Authority
• Precedent
• Vocabulary
• Formality

Categories of Legal Writing

• Predictive legal analysis
• Persuasive legal analysis
• Legal drafting
• Legal Writing in academia

William Safire’s Rules For Writers

1. Remember to never split an infinitive.
2. The passive voice should never be used.
3. Do not put statements in the negative form.
4. Verbs have to agree with their subjects.
5. Proofread carefully to see if you words out.
6. If you reread your work, you can find on rereading a great deal of repetition can be by rereading and editing.
7. A writer must not shift your point of view.
8. And don’t start a sentence with a conjunction. (Remember, too, a preposition is a terrible word to end a sentence with.)
9. Don’t overuse exclamation marks!!
10. Place pronouns as close as possible, especially in long sentences, as of 10 or more words, to their antecedents.
11. Writing carefully, dangling participles must be avoided.
12. If any word is improper at the end of a sentence, a linking verb is.
13. Take the bull by the hand and avoid mixing metaphors.
14. Avoid trendy locutions that sound flaky.
15. Everyone should be careful to use a singular pronoun with singular nouns in their writing.
16. Always pick on the correct idiom.
17. The adverb always follows the verb.
18. Last but not least, avoid cliches like the plague; seek viable alternatives.

Courtesy: http: //giveit2meinwriting.blogspot.in

Reference Books

• the ALWD Citation Manual: A Professional System of Citation
• The Bluebook: A Uniform System of Citation
• Beyond the Basics: A Text for Advanced Legal Writing – Ray & Cox
• Manual on Usage & Style – Texas Law Review
• The Elements of Legal Style
• The Redbook: A Manual on Legal Style
• Charrow, Erhardt & Charrow, Clear and Effective Legal Writing, Aspen 4th edition
• Legal Research and Bibliography
• Eats, Shoots & Leaves, Lynne Truss (2003)
• Fowler’s Modern English Usage
• The Elements of Style, Strunk and White
• Thinking on Paper, V.A. Howard and J.H. Barton (1986)
• Legal Research, Analysis, and Writing, 2nd edition, by William H. Putman
• Legal Research and Writing Across the Curriculum: Problems and Exercises, by Michael D. Murray and Christy H. DeSanctis
• Oran’s Dictionary of the Law, 4th Edition
• Linda H. Edwards, Legal Writing: Process, Analysis, and Organization (5th ed. 2010)
• Michael D. Murray & Christy H. DeSanctis, Legal Research Methods (2010)
• Garner, Legal Writing in Plain English – A Text with Exercises (University of Chicago Press: 2001)
• Kwaw, The Guide to Legal Analysis, Legal Methodology and Legal Writing (Cavendish 1992)
• Oates, et al., The Legal Writing Handbook – Research, Analysis and Writing (Little Brown and Company Ltd: 1993)
• Smith, Legal Research and Writing (Patrick Stephens Limited, 2001)
• MLegal Reasoning and Writing for International Graduate Students 2d Edition by Nadia E.Nedzel (Nedzel)

How to Learn Legal Drafting

Legal drafting is a skill that combines legal knowledge with effective written communication. Here are some steps to help you learn legal drafting effectively:

1. Understand the Basics of Legal Writing: Start by grasping the basics of legal writing, including the structure, formatting, and citation styles used in legal documents. Familiarize yourself with legal terminology and principles.
2. Study Legal Documents: Examine various legal documents such as contracts, pleadings, and agreements to get a sense of how they are structured and the language used.
3. Take Online Courses: Online courses are an excellent way to learn legal drafting. There are many free and paid courses available that cover the essentials of legal drafting.a. Legal Writing Course Online (Free): Several institutions and websites offer free legal writing courses online. These courses typically cover the fundamentals of legal drafting, including contract drafting, legal memos, and more.b. Legal Drafting Online Course (Free): Similar to legal writing courses, legal drafting courses are available online for free. These courses often provide hands-on exercises to improve your drafting skills.
4. Read Legal Style Guides: Familiarize yourself with legal style guides like “The Bluebook” or “The Redbook” to understand proper citation and writing standards.
5. Practice, Practice, Practice: The key to mastering legal drafting is practice. Draft various legal documents and seek feedback from mentors or instructors.

Can You Get a Drafting Degree Online?

While many universities and institutions offer online legal studies and paralegal programs, obtaining a dedicated “drafting degree” may not be as common. However, you can pursue a legal studies or paralegal degree online, which often includes courses on legal drafting. These programs can provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the legal field and its various components, including drafting.

When looking for an online program, it’s essential to choose an accredited institution to ensure that your degree is recognized and respected in the legal industry. Accredited online programs can provide a solid foundation in legal drafting, legal research, and other relevant areas of the law. Some institutions may offer specialized legal writing and drafting courses as part of their online degree programs.

Best Free Online Law Courses

For those interested in law beyond legal drafting, there are several reputable free online law courses available. These courses can enhance your legal knowledge and provide a well-rounded understanding of the legal system. Here are some notable options:

1. Harvard University’s Online Courses: Harvard offers free online courses on law through its online learning platform, edX. These courses cover a wide range of legal topics, from constitutional law to international law.
2. Yale University’s “The Science of Well-Being”: While not directly related to legal drafting, this course explores happiness and mental well-being, which can be valuable for managing the stress and demands of a legal career.
3. MIT OpenCourseWare: The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) offers free online courses in subjects like ethics, political science, and philosophy, which can complement your legal education.
4. Coursera: Coursera offers a variety of free and paid courses on legal topics from universities around the world, allowing you to tailor your legal education to your interests.

Conclusion

Learning legal drafting is a crucial skill for anyone in the legal field. The availability of free online resources, courses, and degree programs makes it more accessible than ever to acquire these skills. Whether you’re seeking to enhance your legal writing abilities, pursue a legal degree online, or expand your knowledge of the law, there are numerous options to choose from. The key is to start with the basics, practice regularly, and take advantage of the wealth of online resources available to hone your legal drafting skills and overall legal knowledge.