Tanner Jones, your host and Vice President of Business Development at Consultwebs, welcomes you to another episode of the LAWsome Podcast by Consultwebs.
In today’s episode, Tanner is accompanied by Judge Robert Bacharach from the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals, who is sharing tips on effective communication in regards to legal writings. Judge Robert Bacharach dives deep into three steps to tremendously increase the impact and clarity of a legal document; this guide is included in his latest book Legal Writing: A Judge’s Perspective on the Science and Rhetoric of the Written Word. Judge Robert Bacharach bases his teachings for legal writers on psycholinguistic research, emphasizing the science behind how people process and share information; Judge Robert Bacharach also exemplifies his actionable tips with powerful examples, including pieces of Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Letter From a Birmingham Jail”. ABA Press is offering a 20% discount through 12/31/2021 on Judge Bacharach’s book: Legal Writing: A Judge’s Perspective on the Science and Rhetoric of the Written Word. You can purchase the book by using the code LGLFBRA when using the ABA website to buy the book here or by calling 1-800-285-2211.
Key Takeaways:
[1:06] Judge Robert Bacharach talks about his legal career.
[2:18] What is the problem that Judge Robert Bacharach’s book Legal Writing: A Judge’s Perspective on the Science and Rhetoric of the Written Word is solving?
[3:33] Judge Robert Bacharach describes the action guide for more effective communication.
[3:41] Step 1: Contextualize details before the reader gets to them.
[4:11] Step 2: Simplify your diction.
[4:39] Step 3: Try to link information in the document.
[5:26] Judge Robert Bacharach explains what psycholinguistics tell us about how the brain processes information.
[6:58] Judge Robert Bacharach provides examples of the importance of creating a meaningful introduction and headings.
[10:56] Judge Robert Bacharach talks about the expectations on legal writings and the impact they have on lawyers’ effectiveness.
[14:02] Judge Robert Bacharach dives deep into the third step: Linking information.
[15:58] Judge Robert Bacharach compares written to oral communication.
[17:03] Judge Robert Bacharach talks about the effectiveness of Martin Lutter King Jr.’s letter where one sentence was composed of 305 words.
[20:32] How does this example apply to legal writing?
[22:08] Judge Robert Bacharach summarizes the main points to reach the maximum potential at legal writing.
[24:28] Judge Robert Bacharach shares tips for better implementation.
[26:34] Judge Robert Bacharach does a recap about his book.
[27:25] What is one piece of advice that Judge Robert Bacharach would give to his younger self starting his legal career? Discover More About the Podcast and Consultwebs: Subscribe to the LAWsome Podcast by Consultwebs on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and Spotify.
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