Designed primarily for the international lawyer and international law student, this one-of-a-kind text introduces readers to legal analysis and communications used in the U.S. With customized exercises, examples, and illustrations, the authors, who together have more than seven decades of experience teaching legal writing, provide detailed instruction on the types of legal writing that international lawyers are most likely to engage in with U.S. lawyers. Organized for optimizing skills-building, the text begins with a contextual overview of the court system and the civil litigation process in the U.S., and then moves to structuring and communicating an objective analysis, briefing a case, and doing statutory analysis. The text delivers practical guidance on writing client letters, demand letters, office memos, and electronic correspondence. The authors emphasize structure, planning, and ethics in educating about the legal writing process. New to the Third Edition: New co-author Katrina Lee, Clinical Professor of Law, Director of LL.M. Legal Writing, Director of Program on Dispute Resolution, The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law; and former President of the Association of Legal Writing Directors Reorganized and streamlined chapters for a stronger and more concise presentation Expanded coverage of legal writing skills related to how to structure and formulate an objective legal analysis; how to write a formal office memo, client letters, and demand letters; and how to write professional emails and e-memos New mini TOCs at the start of each chapter that provide a handy “roadmap” of topics covered Updated material throughout Professors and students will benefit from: Detailed and summary table of contents, plus chapter roadmaps Glossary of terms for international readers Overviews of the U.S. government and court system, the common law system, and the civil litigation process Clear exposition supported by numerous exercises that cover the types of legal writing international lawyers are most likely to use Emphasis on an ethical, thorough, and structured writing process
Ideal for teaching international lawyers about the U.S.study of law, this coursebook uses a global perspective to put the basic principles of legal reasoning, writing, and research into context. To effectively teach analysis and communication within
"Like the popular earlier editions, the fourth edition of A Lawyer Writes puts the reader in the place of a first-year attorney faced with real-life assignments. In doing so, it teaches law students not only how to succeed in law school, but also how to succeed in the practice of law. Using graphics and visual samples that demonstrate both effective and ineffective analytical techniques, this updated edition illustrates best practices for objective legal analysis and provides an overview of the transition from objective to persuasive writing. The content and examples in the fourth edition have been supplemented, updated, and reorganized to provide an easy-to-use, step-by-step approach for learning legal analysis and objective writing. A Lawyer Writes aims to provide clear and concrete instruction about each facet of legal analysis, using the same order students will follow when performing the tasks in legal practice. The textbook also provides the relevant theory and background behind the choices attorneys make in their legal writing, enabling students to transfer those techniques to future settings. Speaking to its readers in a straightforward manner, A Lawyer Writes communicates essential skills and theories students can use throughout a lifetime of legal practice"--
Like an atlas, the LL.M. Roadmap: An International Student's Guide to U.S. Law School Programs provides a series of andquot;roadmapsandquot; to guide prospective LL.M. students through every step of their journey. From assessing your reasons to acquire an LL.M., to choosing an American law school, meeting financial and immigration challenges, and succeeding in law school and a career in law, the LL.M. Roadmap provides straightforward guidance, along with plenty of checklists and reference sources. In ten parts and 33 chapters, this valuable text offers a careful examination of every consideration and contingency for making important life decisions. An indispensable guide for prospective LL.M. candidates, the LL.M. Roadmap features: information and analysis to help readers answer their most pressing questions, such as Should I worry about an LL.M. program's ranking and reputation? How do I get admitted to a U.S. LL.M. Program? What questions should I ask before accepting a U.S. law school's offer of admission? What kind of financial assistance is available? Can I work part-time during my LL.M. program? What will it take to succeed in a U.S. LL.M. program? practical guidance for navigating through the entire LL.M. experience degree and English-language proficiency requirements how U.S. law professors teach legal writing, research, and communication techniques determining whether extracurricular activities will help common immigration and student visa challenges and requirements employment and career advice numerous checklists and lists of resources
From concept to closure, A Practical Guide to Drafting Contracts provides detailed instruction for drafting contracts. Moreover, it teaches readers how to adapt existing contracts and forms to the specific needs of their client--as is frequently done by lawyers in legal practice. Step-by-step instruction and examples unpack the purpose of each provision for a wide range of contracts and integrate the basic principles that apply to both domestic and international transactions. Practice exercises further develop students’ drafting skills, as well as their working knowledge of the language and syntax of contract law. New to the Second Edition: Enhanced coverage of negotiating and drafting contracts in the United States Mind-mapping exercises that help learners think deeply about key contract provisions and their effect on other important aspects of the contract New contract simulations and drafting exercises Clear signposting of text and exercises specifically written for non-native speakers Professors and students will benefit from: Step-by-step instruction through the entire drafting process In-depth explanations and helpful examples Insights into the strategic decisions behind drafting contracts Hands-on exercises that: Raise awareness of commonly occurring contract provisions Encourage use of phrasing appropriate to audience and purpose Build familiarity with the legal principles of contracts Provide practice modifying forms and contracts drafted by other parties Discussion of U.S. law regarding key contract provisions and drafting issues Online Student Resources including: Additional exercises A wealth of sample APA contracts, Consulting Agreements, and Distribution Contracts that students are encouraged to mine for appropriate language and provisions in the process of drafting new contracts
The Model Rules of Professional Conduct provides an up-to-date resource for information on legal ethics. Federal, state and local courts in all jurisdictions look to the Rules for guidance in solving lawyer malpractice cases, disciplinary actions, disqualification issues, sanctions questions and much more. In this volume, black-letter Rules of Professional Conduct are followed by numbered Comments that explain each Rule's purpose and provide suggestions for its practical application. The Rules will help you identify proper conduct in a variety of given situations, review those instances where discretionary action is possible, and define the nature of the relationship between you and your clients, colleagues and the courts.
For law students and lawyers to successfully understand and practice law in the U.S., recognition of the wider context and culture which informs the law is essential. Simply learning the legal rules and procedures in isolation is not enough without an appreciation of the culture that produced them. This book provides the reader with an understandable introduction to the ways in which U.S. law reflects its culture and each chapter begins with questions to guide the reader, and concludes with questions for review, challenge and further understanding. Kirk W. Junker explores cultural differences, employing history, social theory, philosophy, and language as "reference frames," which are then applied to the rules and procedures of the U.S. legal system in the book’s final chapter. Through these cultural reference frames readers are provided with a set of interpretive tools to inform their understanding of the substance and institutions of the law. With a deeper understanding of this cultural context, international students will be empowered to more quickly adapt to their studies; more comprehensively understand the role of the attorney in the U.S. system; draw comparisons with their own domestic legal systems, and ultimately become more successful in their legal careers both in the U.S. and abroad.