Legal Writing
Our e-book collection includes practice guides, legal treatises, and self-help materials that can be borrowed and read in your web browser. Our legal databases provide access to case law, law review articles, downloadable legal forms and drafting guides, and more.
These resources are available freely to Texas residents who create a library account online or in person in Austin. If you can't find what you're looking for, Ask a Librarian for help!
» Legal Writing
-
By Mullin, Elizabeth. 2nd edition. 2015.
This longtime ELI bestseller will assist those who are commenting on drafts of their own agency's, organization's, or client's documents as well as those participating in the public comment periods available under many environmental laws.
Click to access digital title.: http://txsll.law.overdrive.com/ContentDetails.htm?ID=81BD8FCA-D3A7-40B1-9F3C-D8FE30C7E22F
Click to access digital title. Excerpt View details in library catalog
-
By Plain Language Action and Information Network. Plain Language Action and Information Network. 2011.
This guide advises readers on the use of plain language to "make it easier for the public to read, understand, and use government communications." -publisher
URL: https://plainlanguage.gov/media/FederalPLGuidelines.pdf
-
By Cupples, Deborah. 2013.
A quick and easy-to-read guide suitable for all writers. It also includes additional notes for the legal professional.
Click to access digital title.: http://overdrive.sll.texas.gov/ContentDetails.htm?id=42F18C58-0545-450A-A561-98C45024F432
Click to access digital title. Excerpt View details in library catalog
-
Latest received: Automatic updates. By Oates, Laurel Currie. Wolters Kluwer Law & Business. Fourth edition. [2018]-.
"Just Memos helps prepare students for practice by showing them how to write memos, letters, and emails that will win praise from their supervising attorneys. In the Book, Laurel Currie Oates and Anne Enquist use the same approach that they use in their other bestselling books: a step-by-step approach that features numerous examples. In addition, Just Memos provides students with an overview of the U.S. legal system and specific instruction on legal reading as a key lawyering skill. With the authors' trademark clarity and focus, Just Memos includes: step-by-step instruction for writing every part of the memo; helpful examples of simple and more complex memoranda; detailed guidance for transitioning from other types of academic writing; in-depth coverage of legal writing style in the United States - ideal for foreign students and lawyers." -publisher's description
Read online: https://ezproxy.sll.texas.gov:2443/login?url=https://apps.fastcase.com/PartnerBenefits/?IPKey=YqgsCx3zssdVGvBwDN%2bWkECjLVh6HJPUvW1vkc9Yupy1%2fXe8U%2fs2zNBjN1vWoaL0D4FAJvcGJrPFPMjrHFYNHTRYXRJsKrW1cwOm8ig3UPdj6asCU7XHbi2N3WlshdNF&LogoutUrl=https://www.sll.texas.gov&returnurl=https://fc7.fastcase.com/outline/TX/736?docUid=184496565
-
By Teply, Larry. West Academic Publishing. Third edition. 2021.
"Learning legal citation is one of the difficult (and sometimes admittedly annoying) tasks that students new to the law face. This book is designed to ease that task. It initially focuses on conventions that underlie all accepted forms and systems of legal citation. Building on that understanding and an explanation of the "process" of using citations in legal writing, the book then discusses and illustrates the particular rules of The Bluebook and the ALWD Citation Manual for citing cases, statutes, and all other major legal sources. Unique appendices provide useful comparative information for these two systems of citation." - publisher's description
URL: https://ezproxy.sll.texas.gov:2443/login?url=https://subscription.westacademic.com/Book/Detail?id=27628
-
By Kuney, George W. West Academic Publishing. Fifth edition. 2021.
"Legal Drafting in a Nutshell, 5th Edition, provides guidance on producing transactional documents, contracts, instruments, legislation, and regulations that solve existing problems and prevent future problems. The book provides both a large scale, macro overview of the drafting process as well as small scale, micro focused discussion of the mechanics of legal documents at the sentence, word, and punctuation level. The book incorporates current and developing perspectives regarding subjects like plain English, legal typography, and document preparation in the 21st century. This is especially the case in sections of the text dealing with contracts and instruments, although it is true throughout the text. Legal drafting is as much a thought process as a writing process; clear thinking leads to clear drafting. This book is a guide for clear, structured thinking about drafting in order to provide readers with a structured process to follow when assembling useful legal documents." - publish…
Read online: https://ezproxy.sll.texas.gov:2443/login?url=https://subscription.westacademic.com/Book/Detail?id=27248
-
By Bahrych, Lynn. West Academic Publishing. Fifth edition. 2017.
"This book provides a ten-step guide to clear, precise, and effective legal writing and analysis for both law students and experienced lawyers. It gives the keys to writing legal memoranda and briefs, organizing analysis, crafting clear and concise sentences, using legal language accurately, using grammar and punctuation properly, writing persuasively using classical rhetorical techniques. The book describes a method for analyzing and improving individual writing style includes a sample analysis. It also includes new material on using plain English and new legal documents to illustrate effective writing techniques." - publisher's description
URL: https://ezproxy.sll.texas.gov:2443/login?url=https://subscription.westacademic.com/Book/Detail?id=25181
-
By Gidi, Antonio. West Academic Publishing. Third edition. [2018].
"Legal Writing Style promotes the art of good writing by teaching students and practitioners the tools to make their prose clear, precise, simple, and forceful. With examples of what works and what doesn't, this short but comprehensive treatise provides an invaluable resource for recasting writing for maximum impact and ultimate success"--Publisher website.
URL: https://ezproxy.sll.texas.gov:2443/login?url=https://subscription.westacademic.com/Book/Detail?id=25720
-
Latest received: 2017. By University of Chicago Law Review. University of Chicago Law Review. c1989, 2000, 2009, 2017.
This manual provides an easy to follow framework for creating legal citations.
URL: http://uchicagolawjournalsmshaytiubv.devcloud.acquia-sites.com/sites/lawreview.uchicago.edu/files/84%20MB-2.pdf
» CLEs
-
Professional Development Program, State Bar of Texas. 2017.
Read online: http://overdrive.sll.texas.gov/ContentDetails.htm?id=3D9AD0C5-59A5-4E95-9536-44DA285D5378
-
Professional Development Program, State Bar of Texas. 2018.
Consists of chapters 1-10. See Part 2 for chapters 11-20.
Read online: http://overdrive.sll.texas.gov/ContentDetails.htm?id=E7829EDE-D716-4A41-9407-A2D427F43187
-
Professional Development Program, State Bar of Texas. 2018.
Consists of chapters 11-20. See Part 1 for chapters 1-10.
Read online: http://overdrive.sll.texas.gov/ContentDetails.htm?id=CE43D404-F8DC-4004-8388-B5E555A01644
-
Professional Development Program, State Bar of Texas. 2019.
Read online: http://overdrive.sll.texas.gov/ContentDetails.htm?id=FF3FF447-445F-4A62-A46C-0444115EF6E4
-
Professional Development Program, State Bar of Texas. 2020.
Read online: https://lexisdl.com/library/txsll/title/7702169
-
Professional Development Program, State Bar of Texas. 2021.
Read online: https://lexisdl.com/library/txsll/title/8909315
-
Professional Development Program, State Bar of Texas. 2017.
Read online: http://overdrive.sll.texas.gov/ContentDetails.htm?id=2935D450-1A68-4A12-9113-F27E70400D6E
-
Professional Development Program, State Bar of Texas. 2019.
Read online: http://overdrive.sll.texas.gov/ContentDetails.htm?id=4D575AE3-EBBB-4DD4-B7C6-535BA8599AA7
-
Professional Development Program, State Bar of Texas. 2021.
This Continuing Legal Education course from the State Bar of Texas offers guidance on the drafting of family law documents with articles focused on areas such as pretrial motions, mediation, summary judgments, pattern jury charges and post-trial motions with additional tips for attorneys on how they can provide efficient pro bono services.
Read online: https://lexisdl.com/library/txsll/title/8904692
-
Professional Development Program, State Bar of Texas. 2017.
Read online: http://overdrive.sll.texas.gov/ContentDetails.htm?id=2488FD5F-1DF8-41F0-A187-1F993FC9C852
-
Professional Development Program, State Bar of Texas. 2018.
Read online: http://overdrive.sll.texas.gov/ContentDetails.htm?id=97749A22-9027-4989-91DE-B0A2278AB5C0
-
Professional Development Program, State Bar of Texas. 2019.
Read online: http://overdrive.sll.texas.gov/ContentDetails.htm?id=992B1DE6-7DBF-4BF0-BA94-9EB6D27034B6
-
Professional Development Program, State Bar of Texas. 2020.
Read online: https://lexisdl.com/library/txsll/title/7631579
-
Professional Development Program, State Bar of Texas. 2021.
Read online: https://lexisdl.com/library/txsll/title/7631579
-
Professional Development Program, State Bar of Texas. 2017.
Read online: http://overdrive.sll.texas.gov/ContentDetails.htm?id=404B04F1-2416-4900-8D28-0717DB9A5E08
-
Professional Development Program, State Bar of Texas. 2019.
Read online: http://overdrive.sll.texas.gov/ContentDetails.htm?id=0601C881-E829-4783-8F89-6E29A7E6DEB6
-
By State Bar of Texas. State Bar of Texas. 2020.
This is a Texas Bar CLE course to help lawyers at all levels improve their legal writing skills, featuring tips from the best Texas legal writers and judges.
Read online: http://overdrive.sll.texas.gov/ContentDetails.htm?id=D6D2ED25-17C5-40D2-AF90-36446D1B5B40