Applicants know that they need to learn to write, and schools that commit to a good writing program will be better able to compete for the shrinking applicant pool. Lawyers interviewing job applicants know that their new associate must write, and schools that commit to a good writing program will be better able to compete for the shrinking employer pool. The way lawyers write has been a source of complaint about lawyers for more than four centuries. The language used by lawyers should agree with the common speech, unless there are reasons for a difference. Legalese is unnecessary and no more precise than plain language.
Plain language is an important part of good legal writing.
Plain language means language that is clear and readily understandable to the intended readers. To encourage the use of plain language, the Legal Writing Institute should try to identify members who would be willing to work with their bar associations to establish plain-language committees like those in Michigan and Texas. In-house training programs for new associates. Activities within national, state, and local bar associations. Other organizations devoted to legal writing and plain language.