what is a writing sample for corporate attorney

by Dr. Isidro Hoppe Jr. 9 min read

A memo or brief you prepared for lawyering seminar can work well as a writing sample. Employers are looking for clear, effective legal writing and analysis. An objective interoffice memo or a persuasive brief are both acceptable vehicles for demonstrating your writing and analysis abilities.

A memo or brief you prepared for lawyering seminar can work well as a writing sample. Employers are looking for clear, effective legal writing and analysis. An objective interoffice memo or a persuasive brief are both acceptable vehicles for demonstrating your writing and analysis abilities.

Full Answer

What should be included in a writing sample for law firms?

Sample Corporate Attorney Resume Corporate attorney resumes are required to be tailored with an emphasis on education and overall qualifications. Employers will quickly eliminate candidates who don’t list passage of the Bar exam or based on where they attended law school.

What is a writing sample for a job?

** Generally, when applying to a firm as a lateral associate, you will need to provide a resume, representative matters sheet (a “deal sheet” for corporate associates), a J.D. transcript, and ...

How do I choose a legal writing sample?

Feb 28, 2022 · This article provides some legal writing sample tips (based on frequently asked questions) to consider when selecting and preparing your writing sample. It demonstrates how you can ensure that it helps, rather than jeopardizes, your candidacy. 1. Proofread Your Writing Sample for Legal Job Multiple Times.

How long should a writing sample be for legal jobs?

The attached writing sample is a memorandum for an Introduction to Lawyering Skills (ILS) course, Fall 2015. It incorporates suggestions by my writing professor, but is unedited by any third party. The attached writing sample is an excerpt of the appellate brief that was submitted for the 2016 Byron L. Warnken Moot Court Competition.

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What is an example of a writing sample?

Here are some examples you may want to consider: Research papers from a job or class. Narrative papers from a job or class. Other writing assignments.Nov 23, 2020

What is a writing sample law?

The purpose of a writing sample is to illustrate how you organize and express your thoughts in. writing. ➢ Legal employers use the writing sample to determine whether your skills and abilities meet their. standards.

How long should a writing sample for a law firm be?

8 to 20 pagesTypically, the length of a writing sample for legal jobs ranges from 8 to 20 pages. This should be considered the legal writing sample format as it provides the firm with sufficient information for evaluation.

What should a writing sample demonstrate?

Good writing samples should demonstrate you understand the subject matter and can write about it clearly and accurately.Jun 30, 2021

Does a writing sample need a cover page?

Always include a cover page with YOUR NAME ON IT! If a writing sample is an excerpt of a longer piece, describe the nature of the larger document and provide context and background information regarding the excerpt.

How many pages should a legal writing sample be?

The legal writing sample is an integral part of the hiring process for lawyers. Here are tips for preparing the best sample of your legal writing skills. The writing sample should be five to ten pages in length, unless otherwise indicated by a particular employer.

Do law firms read your writing sample?

Legal employers typically seek legal analysis in writing samples; therefore, a memorandum or brief is preferred over a research paper.

Can you use a motion as a writing sample?

It's often best to play it safe by using a brief, motion, or other writing that has been filed publicly — if you don't have to redact, the writing is likely to flow better. But client memos are just fine if properly redacted.Oct 2, 2020

How do you send a legal writing sample?

Your writing sample should be a recent work product from your practice experience. Be sure that it can be shared without disclosing confidential information. It is important that whichever sample you choose is wholly your own work, with minimal editing from partners or senior attorneys.

What kind of writing sample should I submit for an attorney position?

A memo or brief you prepared for lawyering seminar can work well as a writing sample. Employers are looking for clear, effective legal writing and analysis. An objective interoffice memo or a persuasive brief are both acceptable vehicles for demonstrating your writing and analysis abilities.

How long should a writing sample be?

How long should a writing sample be? Samples should be concise and succinct: one to four pages are usually sufficient. In many cases, reviewers are primarily interested in how well you convey your ideas (structure and grammatical accuracy) as opposed to content.

What to send when a writing sample is requested?

If you're asked to bring a writing sample to an interview, print several copies. This way, you'll have enough for whomever you might meet with. The easiest way to bring them is in a portfolio along with extra copies of your resume and a list of references.May 18, 2021

Proofread Your Writing Sample for Legal Job Multiple Times:How Many Times do I need to proof my lega...

I can’t emphasize enough the importance of proofreading your samples several times. Good legal writing isn’t enough; it also needs to completely pr...

Corporate/Transactional Attorneys:If I’m a transactional or corporate attorney, do I still need to h...

I’m addressing corporate/transactional attorneys upfront because their situations are unique. Although most firms don’t require corporate attorneys...

Length of Writing Sample:How will the reader know what I’m writing about in my example of legal writ...

Typically, I suggest legal writing sample length should range from 8 to 20 pages. This should be considered the legal writing sample format as it p...

Using an Introduction/Overview to Provide Your Reader with Context:Should I include and introduction...

For any attorney writing sample, especially if it requires context, should come with a written introduction. This will ensure that the reader is no...

Be Clear That You’re Providing a Sample:How may I make sure that my writing sample isn’t confused wi...

As to an attorney writing sample format, it should be clear that what you’re using is just a sample. A header or footer should be included on each...

What is Confidential/Privileged?Can I use a brief even if it was filed in court for a legal writing ...

When in doubt as to whether something should be included in a writing sample for law firms, you should always check your local rules and relevant s...

Redacting Confidential/Privileged Information:What do I do if my legal writing sample is confidentia...

There are several options. Some people change company names to generic names such as ACME or XYZ Corporation. However, depending on your preference...

Joint Author/Collaboration Issues:I didn’t write the brief myself, can I still use it for my legal w...

While the ideal sample would be 100% your writing, this is rarely the case as most documents involve another person's edits/changes. If the work wa...

What the Sample Should Contain:Can my legal writing sample include the “facts” section of a brief?

The ideal writing samples show your analytical and persuasive writing abilities. While facts sections of briefs may show basic writing skills, they...

Alternatives to the Traditional Brief or Memorandum:Can I use a persuasive letter written to opposin...

If you have letters or other types of materials that highlight your persuasive and analytical writing skills, there’s nothing wrong with using thes...

Poor Writing Sample

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A poorly written sample that contains fundamental errors in grammar, word choice, sentence construction, or other quality problems is a red flagfor employers. Below are a few issues to watch: 1. Sentence clarity 2. Word choice 3. Redundancies and/or inaccuracies in the text 4. Consistency 5. Tone and voice 6. …
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Typographical Errors

  • While applicants give much attention to creating an error-free resume and cover letter, their writing samples often receive a less meticulous review. We have seen many writing samples with typographical errors – many of them published online, in law review journals and legal publicationsor filed with the court. A single typo is enough to instill doubt in the reviewer and eli…
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Off-Topic Samples

  • Make sure your writing samples match the employer’s request and the needs of the position. If, for example, you are applying for an associate position, don’t submit your senior term paper on psychosocial behavior. Instead, submit a sample that demonstrates that you can perform the job for which you are applying. For example, if you are applying for a position as an associate in the …
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Failure to Follow Instructions

  • Always follow the job ad or potential employer’s instructions for submitting writing samples, particularly with respect to: 1. Type of samples:Make sure that the type of sample you submit (i.e., brief, correspondence, motion) matches the employer’s request in terms of format, style, and content. If you don’t have a relevant sample in your portfolio, draft a new writing sample to fit. 2. …
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Disclosing Confidential Information

  • Writing samples in the legal profession require special care due to attorney/client privilege, sensitive information, and confidentiality concerns. When submitting writing samples from a past or present case or transaction, even if that case is closed or terminated, it is important to remove the names of all parties, names of clients, and any other sensitive or confidential information. T…
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