Brevity and simplicity are essential to good legal writing. They make writing clear and forceful. They keep readers' attention, a task that is harder in this age of smart phones and 24-hour news cycles. Straightforward writing excludes confidence and intelligence. Writers with a direct style appear more thoughtful and insightful than those who rely on jargon or excessive modifiers.
Read "Excellent legal analysis. Now make it 40 percent shorter."
