This advanced level seminar is designed for paralegals, legal assistants, legal secretaries and other support staff who want to learn effective strategies for writing legal documents and memoranda.

            I.          LEGAL WRITING REFRESHER

                        A.         Overcoming Common Syntax Problems

                        B.         Paralegal Tips for Punctuation and Capitalization in Legal Writing

                        C.         Clear and Concise Writing

                        D.         Rules of Legal Citation

                        E.         How to Quote or Handle Words of Authority in Legal Writing

                        F.         Effective Techniques When Proofreading and Editing

            II.         CONQUERING COMPLEX LEGAL WRITING

                        A.         Research Memorandum vs. Legal Memorandum

                        B.         Drafting a Neutral Memorandum of Complex Facts

                        C.         Drafting a Persuasive Memorandum of Complex Facts

                        D.         Writing Complicated Provisions

                        E.         Exploring Judicial and Scholarly Writing

                        F.         Drafting Transactional Documents

            III.        DISCOVERY AND LITIGATION DOCUMENTS

                        A.         Drafting a Complete Complaint or Petition

                        B.         The Counterclaim, Third Party Petition and Answer

                        C.         Drafting and Answering Interrogatories

                        D.         Requests to Admit

                        E.         Requests for Production of Documents

                        F.         Subpoena Duces Tecum

                        G.         Settlement Agreements

            IV.        IDENTIFYING THE ROLE OF ETHICS IN LEGAL DRAFTING

                        A.         The Attorney-Client Privilege and How It Extends to the Legal

                                    Assistant

                        B.         Protecting Confidentiality When Sharing Documents Electronically

                        C.         The Role of Attorney Supervision Throughout the Drafting Process

            V.         DRAFTING STRATEGIES FOR SPECIFIC MOTIONS

                        A.         Motion to Dismiss

                        B.         Motion for Summary Judgment and Request for Hearing

                        C.         Motion to Compel

                        D.         Motions in Limine

                        E.         Post Trial Motions

            VI.        INCISIVE BRIEF WRITING FOR PARALEGALS

                        A.         Supporting and Opposing Briefs

                        B.         Trial Briefs

                        C.         Appellate Briefs

            VII.       EFFECTIVE TRIAL DOCUMENTS

                        A.         Voir Dire

                        B.         Exhibits

                        C.         Jury Instructions

D.                  Jury Interrogatories and Verdict Forms