Continuing Legal Education
A Valuable Lesson in Legal Writing
May 09, 2010
by David Krell
david@davidkrell.com
Last Thursday, May 6th, I enrolled in a one-day writing workshop taught by the dean of legal writing -- Bryan A. Garner. Bryan is an attorney, instructor, and consultant with a deep, relentless, and obvious passion for words. His company, Law Prose, hosts several writing classes for lawyers across the country.
Because I love to write, I often enroll in Continuing Legal Education classes that focus on writing skills. Bryan’s workshop Advanced Legal Writing & Editing is on a different level than most CLE classes. Bryan’s approach is peer-to-peer rather than instructor-to-student. It’s the same approach I saw last year at Bryan’s workshop The Winning Brief.
Additionally, Bryan does not rely on his reputation as Editor-in-Chief of Black’s Law Dictionary, columnist for the On Language column in The New York Times Magazine, or esteemed author of several legal writing books. He continues to expand the education process in his workshops. Through grunt work combined with navigating red tape, Bryan secured videotaped interviews with dozens of judges and United States Supreme Court justices. They explain their views, complaints, and insights regarding brief writing. This information is simply invaluable for members of the bar.
Last month, I taught my 90-minute CLE workshop Stop Writing Like A Lawyer! at my alma mater, Villanova Law School. When I approached a classmate of mine about attending, he said that he doesn’t need a CLE course in legal writing because his practice is more than 15 years old. In his mind, experience equals skill. I think differently. If Derek Jeter can take batting practice, then I can take a skills class taught by Bryan Garner to keep my skills sharp. And if I’m lucky, I’ll learn some new strategies.
At Bryan’s Advanced Legal Writing & Editing workshop, the oldest student was 87 years old. He entered the New York bar in 1952.
I guess you really can teach new tricks to an old dog.
david@davidkrell.com
Last Thursday, May 6th, I enrolled in a one-day writing workshop taught by the dean of legal writing -- Bryan A. Garner. Bryan is an attorney, instructor, and consultant with a deep, relentless, and obvious passion for words. His company, Law Prose, hosts several writing classes for lawyers across the country.
Because I love to write, I often enroll in Continuing Legal Education classes that focus on writing skills. Bryan’s workshop Advanced Legal Writing & Editing is on a different level than most CLE classes. Bryan’s approach is peer-to-peer rather than instructor-to-student. It’s the same approach I saw last year at Bryan’s workshop The Winning Brief.
Additionally, Bryan does not rely on his reputation as Editor-in-Chief of Black’s Law Dictionary, columnist for the On Language column in The New York Times Magazine, or esteemed author of several legal writing books. He continues to expand the education process in his workshops. Through grunt work combined with navigating red tape, Bryan secured videotaped interviews with dozens of judges and United States Supreme Court justices. They explain their views, complaints, and insights regarding brief writing. This information is simply invaluable for members of the bar.
Last month, I taught my 90-minute CLE workshop Stop Writing Like A Lawyer! at my alma mater, Villanova Law School. When I approached a classmate of mine about attending, he said that he doesn’t need a CLE course in legal writing because his practice is more than 15 years old. In his mind, experience equals skill. I think differently. If Derek Jeter can take batting practice, then I can take a skills class taught by Bryan Garner to keep my skills sharp. And if I’m lucky, I’ll learn some new strategies.
At Bryan’s Advanced Legal Writing & Editing workshop, the oldest student was 87 years old. He entered the New York bar in 1952.
I guess you really can teach new tricks to an old dog.
To Blog or Not To Blog
January 20, 2010
by David Krell
david@davidkrell.com
Earlier this afternoon, I had a brief conversation with a friend. The reason for my conversation – getting feedback on an idea. It triggered an insight into a larger issue.
As Adrian Monk says, Here’s what happened.
I am the Co-Chair of the Continuing Legal Education Committee for the New York State Bar Association’s Business Law Section. The NYSBA’s Annual Meeting takes place next week in Manhattan.
Yesterday, I had a fruitful discussion with my co-chair. I informed her about a perceived lack of educational offerings for small firms and solo practitioners at bar association conferences and legal trade group conferences. We decided that we would do some informal polling at next week’s Annual Meeting to see if a CLE panel geared to small firms and solo practitioners would be worthwhile.
So, I called my friend who is an intellectual property attorney, blogger extraordinaire, and CLE speaker. In fact, I provided his first-ever speaking opportunity in 2001. From 2001-2005, I hosted seminars under the banner PRIME - Professionals in Media in Entertainment.
My friend liked the idea of the CLE panel but lamented the abundant advice given by some attorneys in articles, anecdotes and CLE panel discussions. Their advice focuses on the plight of younger members of the bar branding themselves to build, enhance, and strengthen their client base.
Apparently, the advice includes strategies on marketing your practice through Facebook, Twitter, Linked In, and blogs.
It includes techniques on networking.
And it includes tips on getting speaking engagements on legal panels and writing assignments for legal publications.
My friend lamented that the advice did not include learning your craft before learning how to set up blog software to conquer the blogosphere.
One can make the argument that part of learning your craft includes learning how to adapt your networking adeptness to the opportunities in the digiverse. Plus, today’s youngest attorneys are probably already familiar with digital tools, computer software, and social networks.
However, a blog, especially in the ultra-competitive legal arena, needs to have a foundation. Statements, opinions, and insights ought to be based in knowledge, if not the authority that comes with experience.
david@davidkrell.com
Earlier this afternoon, I had a brief conversation with a friend. The reason for my conversation – getting feedback on an idea. It triggered an insight into a larger issue.
As Adrian Monk says, Here’s what happened.
I am the Co-Chair of the Continuing Legal Education Committee for the New York State Bar Association’s Business Law Section. The NYSBA’s Annual Meeting takes place next week in Manhattan.
Yesterday, I had a fruitful discussion with my co-chair. I informed her about a perceived lack of educational offerings for small firms and solo practitioners at bar association conferences and legal trade group conferences. We decided that we would do some informal polling at next week’s Annual Meeting to see if a CLE panel geared to small firms and solo practitioners would be worthwhile.
So, I called my friend who is an intellectual property attorney, blogger extraordinaire, and CLE speaker. In fact, I provided his first-ever speaking opportunity in 2001. From 2001-2005, I hosted seminars under the banner PRIME - Professionals in Media in Entertainment.
My friend liked the idea of the CLE panel but lamented the abundant advice given by some attorneys in articles, anecdotes and CLE panel discussions. Their advice focuses on the plight of younger members of the bar branding themselves to build, enhance, and strengthen their client base.
Apparently, the advice includes strategies on marketing your practice through Facebook, Twitter, Linked In, and blogs.
It includes techniques on networking.
And it includes tips on getting speaking engagements on legal panels and writing assignments for legal publications.
My friend lamented that the advice did not include learning your craft before learning how to set up blog software to conquer the blogosphere.
One can make the argument that part of learning your craft includes learning how to adapt your networking adeptness to the opportunities in the digiverse. Plus, today’s youngest attorneys are probably already familiar with digital tools, computer software, and social networks.
However, a blog, especially in the ultra-competitive legal arena, needs to have a foundation. Statements, opinions, and insights ought to be based in knowledge, if not the authority that comes with experience.