A lawyer must convey meaning clearly and effectively and communicate ideas convincingly and concisely. Writing is the most critical skill for success in law school and the legal profession. Much of a lawyer s time is spent drafting precise legal documents such as briefs and contracts.
Many law schools use essay tests exclusively and have only a single test per course each term.
To develop strong writing skills, select undergraduate coursework that teaches writing skills directly and courses that require essay exams and term papers taught by professors who are known for their rigorous attention to written work. Reading and oral comprehension are also important language skills in preparation for a legal career. Law students must digest and recall quantities of detailed written material, and they must assimilate new information into their expanding framework of legal knowledge. Lawyers must grasp the exact meaning of factual statements, legal reasoning and argument, both written and oral, and the continuously changing body of legal codes and decisions. Oral communication skills are significant as well.