What is the right program for your unique needs? That’s the first question Ed will ask when you begin to collaborate. How do you want to balance individual skill development with teamwork? Do you want to train transactional attorneys together with litigators or in two separate workshops? On the spectrum from "fun and engaging" to "core skills training," where does this program fit? From summer associate orientations to first year academies to mid-level and senior attorney skill development, Ed strives to make each program fit his clients’ training priorities. The workshops listed below serve as outlines but the actual program will be a collaboration between you and Ed to suit your specific audience. Practical questions Ed will ask include i) what are the attorney class levels and practice groups? ii) how would you like the workshop to engage the audience? and most importantly, (iii) what writing skills would you like the workshop to focus on improving?
first year and junior associate writing programs
The Art of Effective Legal Writing (1.5, 2, 2.5, half day)
This program engages associates from all practice areas on developing their legal writing skills including how to use simple, clear language and concise sentences. The workshop addresses both transactional writers and litigators by exploring the intersection of contract drafting and litigation using real world examples including the fascinating dispute between Barbie and the rival doll Bratz; a deal-analysis challenge involving the recent Writers' Strike and negotiations with film and TV studios; Quentin Tarantino’s contract dispute over his attempt to make NFTs from Pulp Fiction; and Taylor Swift’s use of “player” and “hater” in “Shake it Off.”The workshop also engages associates on how to organize email and research summaries for supervisors and clients. The workshop encourages associate participation through interactive learning, including individual challenges and collaborative work on team projects.
how to write to partners and clients: drafting effective emails and RESEARCH SUMMARIES (1/1.5)
This program engages associates on how to write emails and research summaries for supervisors and clients. The email section focuses on how to draft partner-and-client-centered emails, from greeting and sign off to tone, organization, and brevity. Research summary topics include 1) Put the Takeaway First; 2) Remember the Reader; 3) Roadmap Your Headings; 4) Be More Concise; and 5) Perfect Your Proofreading, with a special section exploring how a good research summary is the opposite of a good TV show like Succession. (Don’t build suspense, withhold key facts, or leave anything up to interpretation!)
THE ART OF EFFECTIVE TRANSACTIONAL DRAFTING (1.5 - 3)
This program teaches junior associates core transactional drafting skills including i) analyzing key deal terms in an email to a client; (ii) protecting your client by clarifying rights, responsibilities, and duties; (iii) avoiding ambiguity in drafting; (iv) defining contract terms to protect your client; and (v) drafting a negotiated settlement to end litigation and achieve closure for your client. To make the challenges relevant, they draw on recent contract disputes including a deal-analysis challenge involving the Writers' Strike and negotiations with film and TV studios (what writing techniques are best suited to summarize the key points from a deal?); Barbie vs. Bratz (does an assignment clause in an employee’s contract cover an idea for a new doll?); and whether the Reserved Rights section of Quentin Tarantino's contract with Miramax gives him the right to make NFTs from Pulp Fiction.
the art of effective legal writing for litigators (1.5 - 3)
This program engages advocates from litigation, bankruptcy, and intellectual property on three core skill challenges: 1) How Can I Improve My Writing Style? 2) How Can I Make My Writing Clear? and 3) How Can I Write to Persuade? The program features examples from leading writers like Elena Kagan (as Solicitor General), Ted Olson, and Seth Waxman. The program puts the lessons to work with team writing challenges including Barbie vs. Bratz (how should a company defend a lawsuit that claims its new product is too similar to a rival's bestseller?); and defending Taylor Swift in her recent copyright lawsuit over the use of “player” and “hater” in “Shake it Off.”
mid-level and senior Associate writing programs
The Art of Persuasion: Advanced Legal Writing Strategies for advocates (1.5 - 3)
This program engages advocates from litigation, bankruptcy, and intellectual property on how to make their brief writing more persuasive. The program focuses on skills including how to sharpen your argument, how to increase your credibility, and how to develop a theme that frames the legal issue in the light that most favors your client. It features examples from leading writers like Elena Kagan (as Solicitor General), Ted Olson, and Seth Waxman. The program puts the lessons to work with team writing challenges defending Quentin Tarantino in his contract battle with Miramax over his attempt to make NFTs from Pulp Fiction.
Writing for Business Development: How to Build Client Relationships and Grow Business (1 - 1.5)
This program engages mid- and upper-level associates on how to develop their professional reputation through writing. The program teaches specific techniques to engage potential clients and communicate expertise when writing (i) client outreach emails and letters, (ii) client alerts on substantive legal issues, and (iii) articles for publication showing legal expertise. The program focuses on three key ways to reach clients: (i) the hook; (ii) the takeaway; and (iii) the call to action. Techniques include 1) How to engage client interest on new developments in the law; 2) How to transition a client from awareness of an issue toward hiring the firm to address it; and 3) Using current events, questions, and a sense of humor to connect to clients. After attending this program, associates possess concrete techniques and strategies to draft client alerts and other publications that enhance their professional profile and visibility.
The Art of Effective Editing: How to Give Better Feedback (1.5)
This program engages mid- and upper-level associates about how to work with junior colleagues in the editing process and produce the best possible work product for clients. Topics include (i) Giving Feedback That Encourages the Best Possible Working Relationship, (ii) Editing to Improve Writing Style, and (iii) Editing to Make an Argument More Persuasive.
Advanced Drafting Strategies for Transactional Attorneys (1.5)
This program teaches mid-level and senior associates advanced transactional drafting skills including i) protecting your client by clarifying rights, responsibilities, and duties; (ii) revising defined terms to limit scope and avoid ambiguity; and (iii) avoiding ambiguity in drafting indemnification clauses. To make the challenges relevant, they draw on recent contract disputes including the fascinating question of whether hard seltzer qualifies as “Beer” and the Second Circuit’s interpretation of a disputed indemnification provision related to Madonna’s hit song “Vogue.”
Summer Associate programs
The Art of Effective Legal Writing for Summer Associates (1.5/2)
This workshop is designed to introduce summer associates to the transition from law school writing to professional writing at a law firm. Ed’s philosophy is to engage summer associates through interactive learning, including collaborative work on team projects. Ed tries to reach both transactional writers and advocates by exploring the intersection of transactional drafting and litigation using real world examples including the fascinating dispute between Barbie and the rival doll Bratz; Quentin Tarantino’s contract dispute over his attempt to make NFTs from Pulp Fiction; and Taylor Swift’s use of “player” and “hater” in “Shake it Off.” Firms may also elect to include units on drafting effective emails and research summaries.
How to Write to Partners: Drafting Effective Emails and research summaries (1/1.5)
This program engages summer associates on how to write emails and research summaries for supervisors. The email section focuses on using email in a professional work context to support law firm work and to show enthusiasm and curiosity. Research summary topics include 1) Put the Takeaway First; 2) Remember the Reader; 3) Roadmap Your Headings; 4) Be More Concise, and 5) Perfect Your Proofreading, with a special section exploring how a good research summary is the opposite of a good TV show like Succession. (Don’t build suspense, withhold key facts, or leave anything up to interpretation!) The email section focuses on drafting reader-centered emails, from greeting and sign off to tone, organization, and brevity. The program concludes with a team challenge involving the fascinating dispute between Barbie and Bratz.
paralegal, business services, and staff writing programs
The Art of Effective Professional Writing (1.5/2)
This workshop engages business services professionals on five core skills: 1) How to Summarize Key Points Concisely; 2) How to Become Your Own Editor; 3) How To Draft Reader-centered Emails; 4) How to Organize Effective Research Summaries; and 5) How to Draft Well-Structured Sentences, including avoiding common grammar and vocabulary mistakes. The program concludes with a team writing challenge giving participants the chance to practice these techniques.
business writing programs
The Art of Effective business Writing (1.5/2)
This workshop engages business professionals on five core skills: 1) How to Summarize Key Points Concisely; 2) How to Become Your Own Editor; 3) How To Draft Reader-centered Emails; 4) How to Organize Effective Research Summaries; and 5) How to Draft Well-Structured Sentences, including avoiding common grammar and vocabulary mistakes. Areas of focus include 1) Put the Takeaway First; 2) Remember the Reader; 3) Roadmap Your Headings; 4) Be More Concise; and 5) Perfect Your Proofreading. The program concludes with a team writing challenge giving participants the chance to practice these techniques.