The Elements of Legal Style

This book came in a stellar condition.

If you're looking for something that provides a in-depth idk..2 month breakdown on how to improve as a legal writer, this isn't it (I would check out one of his other books for that). However, if you're looking for something that gives you a solid summary of how you can improve in all facets of legal writing...this is the book for you.

First introduced to Bryan A. Garner at one of his brief writing seminar, several years ago, I have since been a loyal reader of his works. This book is (1) a reference book, (2) an invaluable resource, (3) more than just a grammar or style book ever thought of being, (4) chocked full of historical information and legal literary quotes, (5) presented in a humorous and accessible manner, and (6) the standard to which all legal writers should aspire. Poor writing and the use of legalese have always been bug-a-boos of mine. And, over the lifetime of my legal practice, having to slave over thousands of statutes, briefs, decisions, motions, etc., has only intensified my belief that too few lawyers know how to write well, and that the legal profession should abolish the use of legalese from the practice of law. In Mr. Garner, I have found a champion. In "The Elements of Legal Style", writers wishing to take their craft beyond the stars will find a valuable cache of information that will lay the foundations to improve their writing and persuading skills. He shows you how to remove the legalese from your writing, how to make your writing dynamic and exciting, and how to use your writing to better persuade. This book, along with "The Winning Brief", should be the foundation of your arsenal of writing tools.

The book arrived in good condition on time. Good but not comprehensive.

I put this on the shelf right next to my copy of Elements of Style by Strunk and White. Bryan expands on that classic and tailors it for legal writers. I recommend it to all my law students to help them with their legal writing.

You do not want to write like Brian Garner. He sounds like William F. Buckley, Jr. reading the phone book through Stephen Hawking's voice synthesizer. I found myself paying more attention to the author's ecclectic phrase choices and mincing composition than his message. Garner weighs the advantanges of the spare "Attic" style of writing (Holmes) against the florid "asiatic" style (Cardozo), then somehow manages to adopt the worst of both of them. (And did he really just say "asiatic?") As a member and fan of the "California" school of legal writing (Kozinski) and rhetoric (Nancy Grace), I admit my distaste for this book is personal. The information itself is valuable. However, the content here overlaps substantially with "

I am a physician who tested out of all college English to focus on science. Writing chart notes, scientific articles, or even parts of textbooks does not prepare one for the type of writing one must do when performing legal work. Scientific-technical writing, legal writing, or the best-selling novel all require different writing styles. Mr. Garner's book must be a help to law students based on other reviews but importantly to me; it is very accessable to those who have never attended law school. Legal style is a "style" that is important in the profession of law. If you do any work in this area at all, whether it is on the stand or writing essays, it behooves the non-lawyer to read this book. So, even though I agree with the glowing reviews from lawyers, this book may be even more important to those of us who must do legal work but have never been to law school.

Made so much difference in my writing

I'm so glad I found this book. It really improved my writing.

Garner is sometimes over-hyped, but this book delivers. Starts off by framing the right mindset, then dives into practical examples. I recommend it.

This book came in a stellar condition.

If you're looking for something that provides a in-depth idk..2 month breakdown on how to improve as a legal writer, this isn't it (I would check out one of his other books for that). However, if you're looking for something that gives you a solid summary of how you can improve in all facets of legal writing...this is the book for you.

First introduced to Bryan A. Garner at one of his brief writing seminar, several years ago, I have since been a loyal reader of his works. This book is (1) a reference book, (2) an invaluable resource, (3) more than just a grammar or style book ever thought of being, (4) chocked full of historical information and legal literary quotes, (5) presented in a humorous and accessible manner, and (6) the standard to which all legal writers should aspire. Poor writing and the use of legalese have always been bug-a-boos of mine. And, over the lifetime of my legal practice, having to slave over thousands of statutes, briefs, decisions, motions, etc., has only intensified my belief that too few lawyers know how to write well, and that the legal profession should abolish the use of legalese from the practice of law. In Mr. Garner, I have found a champion. In "The Elements of Legal Style", writers wishing to take their craft beyond the stars will find a valuable cache of information that will lay the foundations to improve their writing and persuading skills. He shows you how to remove the legalese from your writing, how to make your writing dynamic and exciting, and how to use your writing to better persuade. This book, along with "The Winning Brief", should be the foundation of your arsenal of writing tools.

The book arrived in good condition on time. Good but not comprehensive.

I put this on the shelf right next to my copy of Elements of Style by Strunk and White. Bryan expands on that classic and tailors it for legal writers. I recommend it to all my law students to help them with their legal writing.

You do not want to write like Brian Garner. He sounds like William F. Buckley, Jr. reading the phone book through Stephen Hawking's voice synthesizer. I found myself paying more attention to the author's ecclectic phrase choices and mincing composition than his message. Garner weighs the advantanges of the spare "Attic" style of writing (Holmes) against the florid "asiatic" style (Cardozo), then somehow manages to adopt the worst of both of them. (And did he really just say "asiatic?") As a member and fan of the "California" school of legal writing (Kozinski) and rhetoric (Nancy Grace), I admit my distaste for this book is personal. The information itself is valuable. However, the content here overlaps substantially with "

I am a physician who tested out of all college English to focus on science. Writing chart notes, scientific articles, or even parts of textbooks does not prepare one for the type of writing one must do when performing legal work. Scientific-technical writing, legal writing, or the best-selling novel all require different writing styles. Mr. Garner's book must be a help to law students based on other reviews but importantly to me; it is very accessable to those who have never attended law school. Legal style is a "style" that is important in the profession of law. If you do any work in this area at all, whether it is on the stand or writing essays, it behooves the non-lawyer to read this book. So, even though I agree with the glowing reviews from lawyers, this book may be even more important to those of us who must do legal work but have never been to law school.

Made so much difference in my writing

I'm so glad I found this book. It really improved my writing.

Garner is sometimes over-hyped, but this book delivers. Starts off by framing the right mindset, then dives into practical examples. I recommend it.

I use it as a constant reference.

Garner takes what could be a boring subject, legal writing, and makes it entertaining and even exciting. I loved his common sense approach which promotes practicality and clarity, and eschews antiquated rules that no longer apply. Thank you, Bryan, for giving permission to discard old rules that don't make sense, and perhaps never did.

Great book, great seller.

If you're in law school and you've not consulted Garner on legal writing, presuming you're not yet a perfect and flawless legal writer, then prioritize this book above all others next time you've any inclination whatsoever to work on that skill.

Great book for any lawyer that wants to write well.

Well organized, easy to read and understand. Even the size of the book itself is convenient. I edit legal transcripts and refer to this book frequently.

Great book for the practitioner. I just wish others were required to read it!

Very useful. Met all expectations.

A perfect how-to book for persuasive writing.

A must if you are learning how to write "legaleze."

Great resource!

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