Advice
from Practitioners
From
Robert H. Etnyre, Jr.:
The importance of excellent legal writing
in the practice of law cannot be overstated. Many cases are won by well
organized and well researched pleadings, motions and briefs. This axiom
applies to all stages of a case from the filing of the first pleading to
the last appellate brief.
Although the truth of this principle is self evident,
for reasons unknown to me, many lawyers cannot write properly, and their
clients and practices therefore suffer. The lack of good legal writing
skills manifests itself very early in a lawyer's career, because a young
lawyer typically spends more time drafting pleadings, briefs and motions
that more seasoned attorneys. As a result, there is no more important
course in law school than legal writing.
If you have any student who can write well, please let
me know, as we would like to hire her/him due to the acute shortage of
young lawyers with this ability.
Robert
H. Etnyre, Jr. graduated from the University of Houston Law School
in 1978. He has been an associate, partner, and senior partner at the
Houston law firm of Royston, Rayzor, Vickery & Williams for the last
25 years, where he has practiced general civil litigation. |
