Complex litigation requires clear, cogent writing

In my experience, class action and other complex cases depend more heavily upon written submissions to the court.  I spend more time writing joint status conference statements, supplemental briefs after hearings, oppositions to demurrers to eighth amended complaints, and so on, and so forth.  I don't necessarily mind the emphasis on writing - I like writing.  But I am ever more keenly aware that as the briefing and other written submissions rise in importance, the quality of the written message must also rise.  There isn't enough time in the day to make every brief the ideal brief.  We simply endeavor to make each brief better than what is required to accomplish the goal of the brief.

In my own efforts to improve my writing, I am always interested in sound advice and constructive criticism.  I recently found the blog of Wayne Schiess, a legal writing instructor at the University of Texas.  Surprisingly named Wayne Schiess's legal-writing blog, Mr. Schiess provides interesting advice about writing, advice with which I find myself often in agreement.  The blog doesn't link to each post on its primary page, so Mr. Schiess's blog is more suited to occasional browsing.

[Thanks to The California Blog of Appeal for suggesting the site.]