How to write an email like a lawyer
As a good lawyer, you should have the ability to communicate fluently in spoken and written English. If you are able to do this consistently, your work as a lawyer will be easier.
As a good lawyer, you should have the ability to communicate fluently in spoken and written English. If you are able to do this consistently, your work as a lawyer will be much easier. Clients will understand you and colleagues will respect you.
At Legal English UK we see lawyers struggling frequently with their legal writing skills — shown frequently with badly written emails.
When writing an email, you should keep three areas in your mind: tone, clarity and style.
Tone
Know your reader and adjust your language accordingly. A client will have less knowledge of legal English than a lawyer so you need to cut back on legalese.
Clarity
Remain consistent in your use of language. One misplaced word or incorrect tense choice damages the impact of an email and stops the reader’s flow.
Style
While emails should be short, they can still be written with some élan. Short sentences and…