“If you really do write well, you win more cases. It's that simple.”

Federal Judge William Dwyer

Legal writing is unlike any writing law students have done before. To write effectively in the law, students must analyze complex questions, research in new ways, synthesize rules from multiple sources, apply those rules to novel facts, and express those ideas with simplicity and precision. And that’s just in the first semester! Students later learn to craft persuasive arguments, adapt their writing to different contexts and audiences, and advance their position through oral arguments. 

In the legal writing program, our goal is to prepare students to practice law. Many students find legal writing to be among their most challenging and rewarding classes, because students assume the role of practicing attorney from day one. Visit the pages below to learn more about our approach. 

  

The Program

1L students gain intensive legal research and writing experience in their first year at UW Law School, while upper-level students build on that foundation with advanced courses.

Learn more about the program »

student studying in the library

Our Faculty

Our legal writing faculty draw on decades of real-life experience to simulate the practice of law in the classroom.

Meet our faculty »

students in class

Resources & Activities

Keep your legal research and writing skills sharp by entering writing competitions and digging into our rich collection of resources. 

Explore our legal writing resources & activities »

Law Library interior, windows overlooking fall view

Best Brief Competition

The Best Brief Competition is an annual event that recognizes outstanding legal writing by first-year students. 

Learn more about the competition »

students studying in the library

 

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