Legal Writing Workshop: Your Guide to Clear, Concise and Persuasive Writing

As a lawyer, your ability to communicate with the written word is the key to your success. Join a practical skills-based session, led by a renowned expert in legal writing. In this interactive workshop, you will explore a range of best practice writing principles (and some "worst practice" ones as well!) to help ensure your documents — memoranda, reports, submissions, correspondence, emails, advices are models of clarity, persuasion and conciseness.

Friday, 21 March 2025
Description

Attend and earn 2 CPD units in Professional Skills
This program is applicable to practitioners from all States & Territories

Professional Skills
9.00am to 11.00am The Lawyer as a Professional Communicator: Tips on Clear, Concise, Persuasive and Reader- Focused Writing

 

An American legal scholar once unkindly observed that there are only two things wrong with most legal writing: one is its style; the other is its content. 

 

Perhaps these concerns were overblown, or are less relevant these days. But it does reinforce the key point that writing — indeed, strong writing — is a fundamental skill required of all lawyers. And it's always good to get a bit of a refresher. 

 

In this interactive workshop, you will explore a range of best practice writing principles (and some "worst practice" ones as well!) to help ensure your documents — memoranda, reports, submissions, correspondence, emails, advices, whatever — are models of clarity, persuasion and conciseness. In the session you will explore: 

 

  • The classical legal writing style: what it looks like, and why it doesn't always work
  • Plain English writing for lawyers: what it is, and what it isn't
  • The professional legal writing voice: myths and realities
  • An international standard on plain language — including a soon-to-be-released standard on legal writing
  • Email writing: the special challenges
  • Clarity in advice writing: an ethical requirement
  • Words, sentences and paragraphs: tips and techniques, including writing for persuasion
  • Grammar and punctuation: problem areas for lawyers 

Presented by Bob Milstein, Principal, Milstein and Associates; Principal, Words and Beyond

Presenters


Bob Milstein, Principal, Words and Beyond
Bob Milstein is a practising lawyer, specialising in health law and also a plain English trainer and document writer. His background in health law – and in particular health care liability litigation – initially sparked his interest in the importance of clear and reader-focused communications. Bob has been running clear writing/plain English training for more than 18 years, and in that time has provided a range of training services to law firms, regulators, government, business, insurers, tribunals and researchers.

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Legal Writing Workshop: Your Guide to Clear, Concise and Persuasive Writing

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Single Session
Friday, 21 March 2025
9.00am to 11.00am Australia/Sydney
CPD Points 2
$305.00
$213.50
Face to Face 20241203 20250321

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Online 20241203 20250321

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Venue
InterContinental Melbourne

495 Collins Street, Melbourne 

Directions

Nearest Public Transport:

  • By train: Southern Cross Station (5-minute walk)
  • By subway: Southern Cross Station (5-minute walk)
  • By Tram: Trams on routes 12, 109, 11 and 48 all pass the hotel along Collins Street, get off at the William Street stop (3-minute walk). The hotel is located within the free tram zone which means travel within the CBD on the tram is free.
Parking Information

Valet Parking is only available for Resident Guests.

Nearby Parking: 
Wilson Parking - View locations and rates here