Writing Impactful Legal Correspondence

Legal correspondence includes letters, emails, and memos sent to clients, opponents, courts, and other parties. Here are some principles for writing clear, professional legal correspondence:

• Use proper letter format – Follow standard business letter formatting conventions in terms of structure, spacing, addresses etc.
• Get right to the point – Open with a direct, explicit statement of your purpose and position. Avoid unnecessary rambling.
• Mind your tone – Adopt a formal tone but avoid sounding overly stiff or archaic. Be assertive yet respectful.
• Describe background concisely – Provide only directly relevant background and explain legal issues succinctly. Omit tangents.
• Cover key details – Address all pertinent details like dates, names, actions sought, applicable laws, or past communications.
• Use headings – Use descriptive headings and bullet points to organize complex information.
• Proofread thoroughly – Refine drafts to eliminate any typos, grammar errors, incorrect information or ambiguity.
• Close with explicit next steps – End the letter with clear next actions, responses sought, or deadlines to move matters forward.
• Add professional sign-off – Close with “Sincerely”, “Regards” or another appropriate professional send-off.