General Information

About This Guide

This guide contains resources for legal writing and includes information on drafting legal briefs and memos, writing judicial opinions, creating proper citations, and more.

E-Books Available from the State Law Library

Below are some e-book titles that may help you with your research on legal writing.

Legal drafting in a nutshell [electronic resource]
Titles in the "nutshell" series provide excellent and concise coverage of their topics. This work covers all aspects of legal drafting and includes a lengthy list of additional publications.
Legal citation in a nutshell [electronic resource]
This work in the "nutshell" series helps you cite in Bluebook or ALWD form. Numerous appendices help with citation forms in various types of legal writing.
Legal writing and analysis in a nutshell [electronic resource]
One-stop guide to legal writing for law students and experienced lawyers.

Books Available at the State Law Library

Below are some of the library resources that can provide general guidance on legal writing. The Texas State Law Library has many other resources in addition to the highlights we present below. Please call us at (512) 463-1722 if you have any questions about these materials.

Exceptional legal writing : 2013 [print book]
This State Bar of Texas CLE course on legal writing covers all aspects of writing, from structuring the document to proofing and citation.
Garner's dictionary of legal usage [print book]
Garner is regarded as the expert on legal usage and style. In the third edition of this title, Garner provides guidance on the use of over 800 new terms and new senses of existing terms.
Garner on language and writing : selected essays and speeches of Bryan A. Garner [print book]
This is a treatise on legal writing. Coverage includes persuasive writing, legal drafting, style, legal language, and judicial writing. The book also includes a chapter of book recommendations and book reviews.
The grammar and writing handbook for lawyers [print book]
This text functions as a how-to guide for attorneys who want to improve their writing skills. Some of the topics include using words to convey meaning, composing sentences, parts of speech, and composing legal memoranda. It includes an appendix of irregular verbs and sample legal memoranda.
Hereof, thereof, and everywhereof : a contrarian guide to legal drafting [print book]
The subtitle "A Contrarian Guide to Legal Drafting" is a clue to the entertaining tone of this book. The author proposes doing away with verbose and obsolete drafting language and replacing it with just what needs to be said. He also demonstrates how to format the text so that it can assist in conveying the message in a clear and concise manner.
The lawyer's essential guide to writing : proven tools and techniques [print book]
This a contemporary guide to legal writing, covering everything from memoranda and briefs to email and blogs. The book concentrates on basic writing principles, using plain English, leading from the top, and how to tell your readers what to do next. Chapters topics include "organizing your research for efficient writing," "talking about cases and other authority," and "tips for transactional attorneys." It also includes a usage and punctuation guide.
A lawyer writes : a practical guide to legal analysis [print book]
"This book will teach you the how to access the merits of a legal problem and how to communicate your assessment to other attorneys." While written for law students, this book has excellent tips for all who wish to polish their written communication skills.
Legal writing for the rewired brain : persuading readers in a paperless world [print book]
The author discusses how computer technology has rewired our brains to be "screen readers" rather than printed page readers. He then provides hints for writing to better communicate to the new type of reader.
Point made : how to write like the nation's top advocates [print book]
Now in its second edition, this title uses examples from top attorneys to illustrate great writing tips. By looking at works from fifty of the most renowned and influential legal advocates, the author shows readers the patterns that develop and teaches them how to emulate writing techniques that will help them most effectively represent their clients.
The Supreme Court's style guide [print book]
This guide contains the style preferences of the United States Supreme Court, used by its Reporter of Decisions to prepare the Court's opinions for public release and publication in the United States Reports.
Writing for the legal audience [print book]
This book advises legal writers on how to most effectively address their specific audiences. He covers the nuances between writing to a prospective legal employer, a trial or appellate judge, and a client, and what to consider when communicating via email. Additionally, he discusses the similarities and differences between the ALWD Manual written by the Association of Legal Writing Directors and the Blue-book.

Legal Writing

General Information

About This Guide

E-Books Available from the State Law Library

Books Available at the State Law Library