Description

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This is a book about the process of legal writing. Unlike many other legal writing books, it focuses on the creating and thinking aspects that are fundamental pieces of legal writing. While an effective product is the ultimate goal, the author acknowledges that legal writing cannot be a one size fits all proposition. Because each case for which a document is written is unique, the document's effectiveness is in large part based on the less tangible thinking that precedes production of a concrete and tangible document. The book explains the underlying concepts of these crucial thinking skills and gives the reader an approach to working with them toward the goal of producing a piece of legal writing that is effective for the unique case or situation for which it is written. Although written for novice legal writers, those with more experience will find this book a welcome refresher, and those not regularly engaged with the law will find valuable insights into the reasoning process of lawyers.

About the Author

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Barbara P. Blumenfeld is a Professor Emerita at the University of New Mexico School of Law. She is also an Emeritus Member of the Michigan Bar and an inactive member of the New Mexico Bar. She is a graduate of Wayne State University Law School. She received her undergraduate degree in English Literature with high distinction from Wayne State University and is a member of Phi Beta Kappa. She began her law practice in Michigan as a plaintiff's personal injury attorney. It was also in Michigan, as a Legal Writing Instructor at Wayne Law School, that she discovered her love of teaching. She has spent over 25 years teaching legal reasoning, writing, and communication at both the beginning and advanced levels. She founded and directed the Legal Writing Program at University of New Mexico School of Law. She has written and presented on various aspects of legal writing and legal education with special focus on the creative process and the teaching of thinking and reasoning skills. She also continues to study literature and to write nonacademic pieces, especially poetry and short essays. In her spare time she designs and makes flamenco dance costumes and is an avid Detroit Tigers Baseball fan.