what makes a good law essay

How To Write a Good Law Essay?

An excellent law essay should demonstrate detailed arguments and legal analysis, with a thesis statement that sums the argument up succinctly and concisely in two or three sentences. The aim should be that you are able to prove your conclusions, and importantly demonstrate that you are able to disprove competing views (the counterarguments). In general, you should first understand that a law essay will normally be focused on resolving a legal controversy, rather than dealing with application of the law to facts or problem resolution. This can be challenging for many students but following some key steps and principles will ensure that you can deliver an essay that has the following elements.

Plus, if you follow our tips and practical guidance you can be confident that your essay will deliver all of these pieces, in a way that ensures you demonstrate your ability to translate your knowledge of the law into a first-class assignment. The first thing to ensure is that you fully recognise the elements that all good essays share irrespective of the subject.

Key components of a good essay

Whatever your subject or discipline, but crucial in a law essay are the following elements for an outstanding essay:

Attention to detail and a focus on the question posed.
In-depth understanding of the right legal frameworks and laws clearly defined and described in simple language.
Logical structure and flow
Well-defended and clearly expressed thesis statement.
Ability to demonstrate wider contextual issues, such as policy, history and clearly identifiable area of law.
Critical application to answering the question.
A level of creativity and original flair in the response, based on clear, well-researched legal arguments, including lateral thinking about less obvious points of law.
Accurate referencing and use of any quotations or case law.
Concise writing, and an effective style.

So, the list above shows what to incorporate into your essay but there are also some clear areas you should avoid.

What To Avoid In Your Law Essay

Do not use casual or informal language..

Keeping it simple does not mean informality; your style should remain academic and not include slang, abbreviations or colloquialisms, unless they are direct, properly referenced quotes.

Keep the overall look of the work balanced and always use full sentences.

Avoid overly long or short paragraphs and resist the temptation to use bullet points in your law essay as this does not demonstrate clear analysis or evaluation.

Avoid Incorrect citations of legislation.

Each university has different rules regarding how these should be presented in your law essays, so ensure you know and understand your institution’s requirements.

Credit all sources.

If you do not have a source, any legal argument not only loses credibility but becomes meaningless. Of course, all sources should also be credible, relevant and checked. At the same time, do not pepper your essay with irrelevant sources, each case cited should be there for a valid reason, and clearly evaluated and analysed.

Steps for Creating the Perfect Law Essay

Deconstruct and understand the question.

This does not mean choosing a side in the presented controversy, the important factor in a good law essay is to ensure that you propose a thesis, discuss, and then prove this, with effective use of legal argument and legal precedent. Other arguments are therefore a key element of your answer, as you need to be able to prove your arguments. Therefore, breaking down the question to understand the controversy under discussion, and then developing a thesis around the controversy. The ability to deconstruct a question can be challenging being of the potential for subtle allusions and issues that make the core area to be analysed appear vague or out of reach. The answer is to identify what you are being asked to do and what level of legal analysis and insight is needed to achieve this.

For example, an essay title may be given as “The Data Protection Act 2018 is a curtailment of personal freedoms” (A Non). Discuss.

To effectively answer this question, you need to identify what you are being asked to do. To discuss the quotation, the first stage is to elicit the background to the (fictional) statement. So, in other words, the essay is not about the statement as such, but instead is about the question (or questions) it raises, from a legal standpoint to identify whether the quotation is legally accurate.

In order to do this, there is a need for you to consider any counterarguments to the declarative argument given in the quotation. Thus, in the example above, the broad controversy to be discussed in your essay is whether Data Protection Laws are an invasion of personal freedom, or whether they are there to protect individuals.

Having determined the actual question being asked, the next stage is to find the answer and present this as a thesis statement, fully supported and proved by convincing legal arguments and a strong and coherent essay structure.

IMPORTANT TIP: Do not simply agree or disagree with the statement given in the title, but present solid arguments and counterarguments to illustrate how you have arrived at your conclusion, backed by credible and legal evidence.

This approach does not matter whether you are asked to examine any number of law topics in your essay, and there are number of different types, including:

Legal Theory essays focus on discussion of why the law evolves as it does, backed by evidence.
Legal Reform essays based on the undertaking of a recent law reform and its effectiveness, or alternatively whether a particular area is in need of reform. In these essays, the focus is demonstrating familiarity with historical and current laws and proposals in law.
Legal History essays are founded in giving you the opportunity to identify gradual changes in a legal area. Legal reform and theory have a role in this type of essay, but the discussion is grounded in historical changes. The challenge with this essay is not to be overly descriptive, but to show evaluation and critical analysis.

Whatever type of law essay you are dealing with, you should ensure you maintain the basic principles of effective essay writing we have already given you, even while you ensure the focus of your answer is in the right area of legal writing.

Identify the Sources for Your Legal Argument

When an essay question indicates “discuss”, this would suggest you need to give an opinion. However, the opinion you present in a law essay should be one that is backed up by clear analysis and evaluation of all the legal facets of the situation. In other words, analysis or legal argumentation needs to follow certain conventions.

Reading of real-life cases and academic articles in the area are a good basis for identifying sources. Legal analysis is reliant, far more than any other discipline or credible sources. The validity of an argument in law comes from the source and precedent, not opinion or logic/attractiveness. Source in law means not just what was said but crucially also refers to who made the statement or judgement or wrote the article. In law there are two main authorities – binding and unbinding authorities. The first emanates from case law or legislation, whilst the second comes from Public Policy, Legal commentary, Dissenting judgements, Reform Proposals, and International Law.

First-class law essays should contain a mix of both binding and non-binding (or persuasive authorities). Using only one type of source is insufficient to give a wide enough perspective and counter argument in a legal controversy.

IMPORTANT TIP: Do not use long quotes from statutes, paraphrase if necessary, to ensure your essay is concise and makes your points clearly and coherently. Also ensure your sources are relevant to the question, the aim is not to demonstrate your wide reading of the law overall, but to illustrate that you can make a pertinent, valid argument and counterargument with appropriate sources.

Structure Your Essay Correctly

Getting your structure right – a simple rule of thumb is “say what you are going to say, say it, then say that you’ve said it” translated as Introduction – body text – conclusion.

Introduction

Your introduction should clearly state the purpose of the essay, and importantly should include your thesis statement. In other words, tell your readers in a creative and engaging way what you will be discussing. Your essay needs to hook your reader into being interested in reading further.

Your body text should be separated into separate paragraphs, each dealing with a different point that you wish to make. You can either make a point for one side, then deliver the counterargument before drawing an initial conclusion. Or you can present all the points for one side before moving to the counterargument. The first option can deliver a more logical, focused essay but can lead to a lack of balance if one argument is given more emphasis than another.

Your conclusion should be a summary of everything you have already said, concisely written and drawing together all the evaluations and analysis undertaken, but crucially not introducing new information. The closing statement of your conclusion should refer back to your thesis statement and whether this has been proved or disproved.

IMPORTANT TIP: Focus on simple, but academically proficient language, and do not put too much of an emphasis on legal jargon in your essay. You are producing a law essay not a case file. In all cases, ensure any sources are correctly referenced according to the requirements of your institution.

Key Phrases and words for Law Essays

As a final tip, here are some key phrases that can help your law essay stand out from others.

This question deals with …
The principal issue raised by this question …
The main issue is whether…
The issues to be considered are …
The problem also raises the issue of
On the facts presented, it can be argued that …
It would seem, (therefore), that …
It is possible that …
It could be argued that …
It would appear that…

When summing up in your conclusion the following phrases can be useful:

On balance, it seems that.
It is therefore concluded that…
It is submitted that …
In conclusion, it can be stated that …
In consideration of the facts presented, it fair to conclude that …

“Good Law” vs “Bad Law” Explained

March 15, 2017 By John Passmore 1 Comment

Good Law and Bad Law Terminology

In the legal context, “good law” and “bad law” are anything but a subjective evaluation of a given law. If a proposition of law from a case is a valid, citable legal proposition in your jurisdiction, it is “good law.” Logically enough, if a proposition from a case is no longer a valid legal proposition, it is “bad law.” How can good law that a smart judge put into an opinion become bad law? Later higher court rulings or statutory developments can turn previously valid legal propositions into nothing more than historical footnotes.

The first step is to know what court issued your opinion. Is it a state court or federal court? What level is your court? Is it from a district court or a court of appeals? Knowing where your issuing court is situated in the wider court system is key to your analysis. To identify bad law, you need to check your case’s subsequent appellate history and cases from relevant courts that negatively cite your case to ensure nothing has undermined your cited proposition. To do this, I suggest first thinking vertically and then thinking horizontally.

Think Vertically

First, think vertically – look for subsequent appellate history for your case and other higher court cases that negatively cite your case. The most common ways for your proposition to become bad law is for a higher court to reverse or overrule your cited case on grounds that affect your proposition. Do the following for subsequent appellate history and negative higher court citing decisions:

Look to see if your case has a subsequent appellate history. That is, was your cited case appealed? Did the higher court reverse your opinion on the grounds for which you are citing it? If so, your proposition is likely bad law.
Look to see if your case has been overruled by a higher court in another case. If your legal proposition comes up in another case, a higher court could overrule your case explicitly. If your case is overruled on the grounds for which you cite it, your proposition is bad law. Also, note that a higher court could abrogate a lower court ruling by making a statement of law that contradicts your proposition – essentially overruling your case without mentioning it by name.

Think Horizontally

Second, think horizontally – look for cases by courts at the same level that negatively cites your case. For example, if you are citing a case from the 5th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals, you would look at a 9th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals case that has negatively cited your case. Even though same-level courts cannot directly affect your case’s validity, they can alert you to trouble you might otherwise miss. Do the following for negative same-level court citing decisions:

Look to see if a same-level court claims your case has been overruled or abrogated by a higher court. This essentially double checks your vertical check of negative higher court citing decisions. A more recent same-level court’s analysis and treatment of your case could speak to the status of your case. This is a prime place to catch if your case has been abrogated by a higher court, so keep an eye out for claims that a higher court implicitly overruled it.
Look to see if the same-level court is negatively citing your case because it claims your case proposition has been superseded by statute (or rule). If a statutory or rule change has undermined the basis for your cited case’s legal interpretation, its conclusions could be undermined. The next step is to pull the statute or rule itself and see if your proposition is still good law in light of the new controlling statute or rule.
Look to see if the same-level court is simply making a different legal argument than your court. This could be a court “split,” i.e., where same-level courts disagree. Splits are often the subject of your writing because they are prime legal questions, but a split doesn’t mean that your law is bad. If a negatively citing same-level court just disagrees with your case’s legal analysis or interpretation, your case can still be good law in its own jurisdiction. If there is no higher court ruling on the legal proposition, then your law remains good law, even if it is not followed outside your court’s jurisdiction.

Final Thoughts

Keep in mind that every case-law proposition must be analyzed individually. It’s possible for your cited case to be reversed or overruled on one ground, but not a ground related to your proposition. For example, if the proposition you cited was not challenged when your case was appealed, even if your case is reversed, the reversal could not affect the validity of your citation to that lower court case. This is a good place to note that this crucial legal writing step will take time, so don’t forget to budget time for checking the validity of your citations.

Whether you are writing an LRW legal memo , trying to write on to law review , or drafting a research memo at your internship , some aspects of legal writing will change, but determining if your citations are good or bad law will always be an essential aspect to getting the substance right. Checking case-law validity is more than just pulling a Shepard’s report and looking at the colorful symbols, but don’t be intimidated. It takes some time and thought, but citing good law and avoiding bad law is well worth the effort!

Looking for some help to do your best in law school? Find out about our law school tutoring options.

About John Passmore

John Passmore is a family-violence nonprofit attorney in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. He previously served as an Assistant Attorney General in the Texas Office of the Attorney General - Child Support Division. He received his B.A. from Texas A&M University and his J.D. from The Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law. John and his wife enjoy drinking coffee and chasing around their children and standard poodle named Sebastian.

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How to Write a Law Essay: Full Guide

Table of Contents

Introduction to Law Essays

What is a law essay.

A law essay is a scholarly piece of writing which presents a legal analysis, argument, or discussion on a particular legal issue or topic. It requires a student or legal professional to present a well-reasoned argument based on legal principles and evidence.

Importance of Clarity, Structure, and Argumentation

Clarity and structure are paramount in a law essay as they facilitate the reader’s understanding. Argumentation is the vehicle through which the writer conveys their analysis, employing logic and legal reasoning to persuade the reader of their viewpoint.

Understanding the Question

Breaking down the essay question.

Read Carefully : Understand what the question asks of you.
Highlight Key Terms : Identify action words and legal concepts.
Clarify Uncertainties : If any part of the question is unclear, seek clarification.

Identifying Key Terms and Issues

Definition of Terms : Define legal terms to set the parameters of your essay.
Issues to Address : Distinguish the main issues that will form the crux of your argument.

Research Techniques

Primary vs. secondary sources of law.

Primary Sources : These are texts of law themselves, such as statutes, cases, regulations.
Secondary Sources : These include academic articles, textbooks, and legal commentaries that provide analysis of primary sources.

Utilizing Law Libraries and Online Databases Effectively

Law Libraries : Offer comprehensive access to physical and digital legal resources.
Online Databases : Platforms like Westlaw or LexisNexis provide extensive legal databases for research.

Structuring the Essay

The significance of a clear introduction, body, and conclusion.

Introduction : Outlines the issue, states the thesis, and describes the structure of the essay.
Body : Presents arguments in a logical sequence, each supported by evidence and analysis.
Conclusion : Summarizes the main points and restates the thesis in light of the arguments presented.

How to Outline Arguments Logically and Coherently

Point, Evidence, Explanation : For each argument, state your point, back it with evidence, and explain its relevance.
Logical Flow : Ensure each argument naturally leads to the next.
Coherence : Make sure all parts of the essay work together to support the thesis.

Legal Argumentation

Developing arguments and counter-arguments.

Constructing Your Argument : Develop a clear, concise thesis statement and support it with legal reasoning and evidence.
Anticipating Counter-Arguments : Identify potential opposing views and prepare rebuttals to strengthen your position.
Using Precedent : Analyze case law to support your argument, showing how past decisions apply to your issue.
Statutory Interpretation : Use the rules of interpretation to argue how legislation should be applied to your case.

Referencing and Citations

Proper use of a legal citation guide.

Choosing a Citation Style : Adhere to the prescribed citation style, such as OSCOLA or Bluebook.
Consistency : Be consistent in formatting all your citations according to the chosen guide.

Avoiding Plagiarism and Paraphrasing

Originality : Always credit original authors for their ideas.
Paraphrasing : Learn to paraphrase legal concepts accurately without changing their meaning.

Writing Style and Language

Appropriate language for legal writing.

Formality : Use a formal tone that reflects the seriousness of the subject matter.
Precision : Choose words that convey your meaning precisely.

Clarity in Argumentation

Avoiding Legalese : Use plain language where possible to make your writing accessible.
Simplicity : Complex ideas should be broken down into simple, understandable statements.

Editing and Proofreading

Techniques for effective editing.

Structure : Check that your essay has a clear introduction, body, and conclusion.
Clarity : Remove any ambiguity and ensure your points are clear and concise.

Importance of Feedback

Peer Review : Have peers or mentors review your work to gain different perspectives.
Incorporate Feedback : Use constructive criticism to refine and strengthen your essay.

Summarizing Arguments

Restate Key Points : Briefly summarize the main arguments of your essay.
Conciseness : Keep your conclusion short and to the point, avoiding the introduction of new information.

Reiterating the Response to the Essay Question

Answer the Question : Clearly state how your essay has addressed the central question.
Closing Statement : End with a strong closing statement that encapsulates the essence of your argument.

In crafting your law essay, integrating these elements of legal argumentation, proper referencing, careful language choice, and diligent editing will contribute to a persuasive and scholarly piece of writing. Always remember to answer the essay question directly and fully, using a structured argument supported by legal sources and your own critical analysis.

Public Law for Everyone

by Professor Mark Elliott

Writing a Law essay? Remember to argue!

Providing advice in the abstract about how to write Law essays is difficult because so much depends on the nature of the question you are answering. It’s also important to take into account whatever are the expectations for your particular course, degree programme or university. Nevertheless, a useful rule of thumb, I think, is that a good Law essay will normally set out and advance a clear thesis or argument . (Note that I’m referring here to essays as distinct from problem questions: the latter call for a different approach.)

The need for an argument

Some answers explicitly call for this. Take, for example, the following essay title:

‘Do you agree that parliamentary sovereignty is the most important principle in the UK constitution?’

Here, the question itself in effect advances an argument — that parliamentary sovereignty is the most important principle in the constitution — and invites you to say whether you agree with it or not. And in saying whether you agree, you need to advance your own argument: ‘I agree with this because…’. Or: ‘I disagree because…’. Or even (because if the question advances a position that you think implies a misconception, oversimplification or false premise, you can say so): ‘I will argue that the question oversimplifies matters by assuming that a particular constitutional principle can be singled out as uniquely important…’

Other questions may indicate in a less direct way the need for you to put forward your own argument. For example:

‘“Parliamentary sovereignty is the most important principle in the UK constitution.” Discuss.’

Here, we don’t have a ‘do you agree?’ prompt; instead, we have the apparently less directive ‘discuss’ prompt. If we read the question literally, it may seem that there is no need for you to put forward your own argument here. After all, it’s possible to ‘discuss’ something without advancing your own argument about it: you could make various points, explain various matters, and leave the reader to make up their own mind. But while this may be formally true, it’s unwise to read the question in this way, because it creates the risk that you will end up writing something very general and descriptive on the topic without going any further.

To summarise, then, there are at least three reasons for making an argument part of your essay. First, the question will often call for this, whether explicitly or implicitly, such that you wouldn’t be answering the question if you didn’t set out and develop an argument. Second, if you don’t impose on yourself the discipline of articulating and defending an argument, you risk underselling yourself by writing something that is descriptive and meandering rather than purposefully constructed . Third, setting out and developing an argument involves taking ownership of the material. By that, I mean using the material in a way that serves the purposes of your argument, showing that you are in command of it and that it is not in command of you. This, in turn, provides an opportunity to demonstrate a level of understanding that it would be hard to show in a descriptive essay that simply wandered from point to point.

Setting our your thesis

If putting forward an argument is (often) important or necessary, how should it be done? There are no great secrets here: the formula is straightforward. You should begin your essay by stating your thesis — that is, by setting out what it is that you are going to argue. This should be done in your introductory paragraph — by the time the reader reaches the end of that paragraph, they should be in no doubt about what you are going to argue. Imagine, for instance, that you are presented with the following essay title:

‘“The courts have expanded their powers of judicial review beyond all acceptable constitutional limits in recent decades; it is time to clip the judges’ wings.” Discuss.’

In response to such a question, it might be tempting to say in your introduction that (for example) you are going to ‘show’ how the courts’ powers of judicial review have grown, ‘consider’ why this has happened and ‘examine’ the criticisms of judicial over-reach that have resulted. These are all perfectly sensible things to do when writing an essay on this topic, but if that is all you say in your introduction, you will leave the reader wondering what you think — and what you are going to argue . In contrast, an introductory paragraph that lays the foundation for essay that properly advances a thesis will set out what that thesis is. You might, for instance, take each of the propositions set out in the question and stake out your position:

‘In this essay, I will argue that (a) while the courts’ powers of judicial review have grown in recent decades, (b) it is misguided to suggest that this has breached “all acceptable constitutional limits” and (c) that those who now advocate “clip[ping] the judges’ wings” misunderstand the role of the judiciary in a rule of law-based constitution. In other words, the courts’ judicial review powers are entirely appropriate and those who seek to limit them risk undermining the rule of law.’

An introduction of this nature would achieve two things. First, it would make clear to the reader the position you proposed to take. Second, it would immediately lend the essay a structure.

Developing your thesis

Once you have set out your thesis in the introduction, you need to develop or defend it. This will involve making a series of connected points in successive paragraphs, each of which relates to your overarching thesis. One way of thinking about this is that the individual points you make in the main body of the essay should all relate or point back in some way — and in a clear way — to the position that you staked out in the introduction.

In the example introduction above, the overarching thesis is set out in the second sentence; the individual and connecting parts of the argument are set out in propositions (a), (b) and (c) in the first sentence. One approach, therefore, would be to divide the answer, once the introduction has been written, into three parts, dealing in turn with points (a), (b) and (c). Naturally, as you work through the various parts of your argument, you will need to cite relevant evidence (cases, legislation, literature and so on) in support of your argument. You will also need to deal with matters that appear, at least at first glance, to sit in opposition to your argument (on which see further below) or which, once properly considered, require your argument to be refined.

A key point, however you proceed, is that the reader should also be clear about how each successive point relates not only to the previous point but also to the overarching argument. The reader should never be left wondering ‘Where does this fit in?’ or ‘Why am I being told this?’ A simple way of avoiding these problems is to signpost , by saying at the beginning of each section how it relates to the overall argument. The flipside of this coin is that you should avoid saying things like ‘Another point is that…’ since this gives the impression, rightly or wrongly, that the various points in your essay have been thrown together in a random order, with little thought as to how they fit together or relate to your overall argument. Even if that’s not the case, you don’t want to risk giving the reader that impression.

A one-sided approach?

The advice set about above might seem to imply that I’m suggesting you write one-sided essays — in which you set out points that support your argument while ignoring those that don’t. However, that’s not at all what I’m suggesting. In order to set out your argument in a persuasive manner, you need to deal both with relevant points that support your argument and with relevant points that appear to challenge your argument — and, in dealing with the latter points, you need to show why they do not in fact fatally undermine your argument. In other words, the approach I’m suggesting here doesn’t mean that you should adopt a blinkered approach, paying no attention to counterarguments: rather, you need to deal with them in a way that shows that, having thought about and weighed them in the balance, you are in a position to show why your argument stands in spite of them (or why your argument can be adapted in a way that accommodates such points).

All of this points towards a further matter: namely, that advancing an argument in your essay does not mean that you need to (or should) be argumentative in the sense of adopting a strident tone that brooks no debate or compromise. Rather, advancing an argument in the way I’ve suggested here means being thoughtful and persuasive : taking the reader with you on a journey that demonstrates that you have looked at the relevant material, carefully thought through the issues raised by the question, and arrived at a view that you are able to justify and defend through well-reasoned and suitably evidenced argument.

So what about your conclusion? If you’ve followed my advice above, it should more or less write itself. People often agonise over conclusions, perhaps thinking that there has to be some ‘big reveal’ at the end of their essay. But there doesn’t need to be — and indeed there shouldn’t be — any big reveal. There should be no surprises at the end precisely because you’ve set out your argument at the beginning and spent the rest of the essay carefully constructing the different strands of your argument. The conclusion is an opportunity to draw those stands together, but no-one should have to wait with bated breath for the conclusion before finally realising: ‘Ah, so that’s what they think!’ If that’s the impact of the conclusion on your reader, it means there’s something wrong with the introduction!

This post was first published on The Law Prof blog . It is re-published here with permission and thanks.

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How to Write a Good Law Essay?

Updated 15 Apr 2024

Table of contents

How to start a legal essay

Law essay structure

What makes a good legal essay introduction?

Body paragraph, overall guidelines for legal writing, different types of law essays.

There are different types of academic assignments, and each needs a proper understanding of the requirements. Wondering what is law essay, start with defining legal theories, legal reforms, or legal history. Theories expect the writer to say why the law takes such a form and make an argument of the merits and demerits. Legal reforms may either require an evaluation of recent reforms or whether a certain law should be reformed, whereas Legal history expects an understanding of the gradual change in a certain area.

The title of your paper is a vital concern as it determines whether a reader will be compelled to read a paper or whether it makes the reader lose interest when reading. A good title should be precise and clear, using the most familiar terminology.

In addition, subheadings are equally useful to clarify arguments in a paper by allowing a reader to signpost commentary and provide the most coherent structure.

Before you even start working on your assignment, double-check if you know how to structure a law essay. Any paper is divided into sections: Introduction, Body, and Conclusion. But that particular type of writing we examining here requires exceptional attention to references, making it one of the most important structural parts. Any law, act, or court case you have looked through when writing has to be cited in accordance with the formatting style your college or university supports.

Ways of Structuring An Essay On Legal Studies

As you brainstorm various legal assignments and learn how to write a law essay introduction, it's essential to think over the best ways of structuring your law essay. In the majority of cases, you will have to follow the basic "introduction, three body paragraphs, and conclusion" research pattern, yet legislation often involves the following structure:

- Introduction part with the background information and the legal reminder about when the law or a case study has taken place. It will help your readers to determine what is being researched and discussed.

- Body paragraphs should focus on strong argumentation regardless of the legal essay format. It means that both administrative and criminal law assignments will have to include a thesis statement with some evidence. It should help to connect things and follow the structure regarding your objectives.

- Counter-arguments paragraph. If there are opposite opinions, make sure to include them as well with the sources and explanations.

- Conclusion. This is where you sum things up and focus on the suggestions for further research.

- References.

- Appendices. This is where the majority of legal papers or court transcripts are usually included. Remember to follow your style formatting rules as you work on your structure.

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To come up with a good introduction, you need to put in mind the main objectives it is meant to achieve. These are presenting arguments, providing a context, setting out parameters for the discussion, and providing a brief outline of the structure. The question provides an understanding of an area of law in focus and how it addresses the body. Therefore, it is important to set out the main question a paper is supposed to answer and then explain how you plan to answer it.

A good way how to answer a legal essay question in the introduction would be:

“This essay will refer to the weaknesses of the… Act and analyze effects of the implementation upon…”

The introduction should also provide a roadmap to a user by illustrating the structure used in a paper. A classic example of a law essay is the following:

“The essay will be divided into four main sections. In section I, the essay will provide an in-depth understanding of … Act. In section II, an essay will examine the implementation of the act and in Section III, the essay will critic the amendment instrument and finally indicate the position in the argument in section IV.”

If you are asking how to write a good law essay, the answer would be – to pay most of the attention to the body of it. To examine the context and analysis of the legal concern effectively, it is important to give context and analysis of a legal issue in a body paragraph. This demonstrates that you have a sound understanding of the topic in discussion. A writer should be able to refer to the applicability of law including the Act of parliament in a legislation issue or case when relying on a judgment.

For example, the writer may indicate;

“In reference to section… Act… law clearly indicates that …” Or “In case of … vs. …”

Secondly, you need to present your arguments clearly and persuasively. The best way to do this is by including alternative sides of your argument, which shows that you have considered all aspects of an issue before concluding on that matter.

Two things are crucial in writing a body paragraph. These are topic sentences and transitions.

A topic sentence gives a focus to the paragraph. It is used as a tool to summarize the overall position taken by the author, the paragraph then gives fine details of specific arguments. In addition, the writer may also use the topic sentence to assess whether all content written in that paragraph is relevant to the legal essay.

A good example of a topic sentence that demonstrates context and will help you with a law paper would be:

“In 2011, the … Act was implemented to solve the critical issues of... However, this has been a big argument for its weaknesses including…"

Depending on the title of the paper, some may require including a variety of subjects. There is a need to ensure seamless transitions between the subjects. The best way to do this is through using co-joining words such as ‘in addition to,’ ’moreover,’ ’secondly’, ’similarly’, ’nevertheless.’ etc. To show contrast, you could also use words such as, ’in contrast to, ’however, etc. This provides flow when a reader is going through the essay.

There are various structures used to write a body paragraph, and you need to select the most suitable one for your analysis.

The purpose of a conclusion is to reiterate the main argument and position taken by the student. It is important to ensure that the conclusion answers the question asked in the introduction. Finally, the conclusion should not contain new material and should be relative to what was written in a body.

While there is no universal pattern that shows how to write a first-class law essay , there are legislation standards, accurate grammar, and citing of every idea that is not yours that come first. It will not only help you come up with an excellent essay that will earn you good grades but let you avoid plagiarism and writing issues.

In addition to a proper consideration of the structure, the following should be considered:

Demonstrate knowledge and command of the subject

Law is a constantly evolving area, which requires the demonstration of a proper understanding of subject matter. Nevertheless, the knowledge is not enough if not demonstrated by an ability to apply the law to derive the legal answers.

Logical flow and relevance

The legal essay must be developed logically and systematically from issue identification/question to the analysis and authority as well as conclusion.

Formal and convincing language

A common pitfall in writing an essay by some students is the use of informal language such as, “He made the wrong judgment because...” Instead, a good essay would say, “The argument made is unconvincing for the following reasons...”

Personal insight and correct referencing of the legal essay

For a literary work to stand out, there is a need for originality, insight, and personal argument by the writer. This demonstrates an independent and intellectual demeanor, which is excellent when backed up by the authority.

Now, you are informed on how to write law essays. A good writer ensures a comprehensive and prolific referencing which challenges and informs on the analysis in the paper. It should be page-specific which directs the reader to the specific part integrated into the essay. The best way to incorporate authority is through integrating cases to develop analysis. Whenever you need any assistance, be it a complete paper or even a part of it, our essay writing company is always here to give you high-quality law essay writer and provide other academic services.

As you start with law essay writing tasks, you will encounter a dozen of various essay types that will range from papers on legal theory to argumentations and court hearings. Still, every type of law writing requires proper analysis and the presence of evidence as you see how a certain law has affected the situation or what acts have been used to achieve something.

- Legal Theory Writing. Here is where you have to explain why some law is the way it is and discuss the pros and cons. There are many types of writing in this area as you will have to focus on comparison and analysis tasks.

- Legal Reform Tasks. A good law essay example here would be the Brexit legislation as the changes that we have seen take place in every field of life. As a Law student, you should explain and estimate these changes. If the reform has taken place because of some event, it may be necessary to provide some background information in your essay’s introduction.

- Legal History. This section may talk about legal questions that are related to historical matters. A law essay example on history would mention issues like the Corporate Lawor the famous Statute of Marlborough that has been passed by the Parliament of . Even though it was during the times of Henry III and took place in 1267, the students still have to explore and explain these laws.

- Court Hearings & Case Study Tasks. As the name implies, these law essays always deal with already existing case studies where you have to review and analyse things. The same relates to court hearings that may be both or come from other countries. These are quite complex and require an extra bit of your attention.

Unlocking the Secrets of Effective Law Essay Writing

Navigating the intricate world of legal writing can often seem daunting, but with the right guidance, it becomes an art form that can be mastered. Essay writing service EduBirdie's article sheds light on the nuances of crafting a compelling law essay, from understanding its diverse types to structuring it meticulously. Whether you're delving into legal theories, reforms, or history, the key lies in presenting your arguments with clarity, precision, and an authoritative voice. Just order essay today, and with a blend of logical flow, formal language, and insightful analysis, you can transform your essay from ordinary to exemplary.

Elevate your legal writing prowess! Dive deep into our guide and become the law essay expert you aspire to be.

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Legal Writing Skills

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Reading and Writing for Law - An Introduction

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How to develop critical thinking (for law)

Writing Law Essays - Remember to argue but not rant

https://publiclawforeveryone.com/2022/02/16/writing-a-law-essay-remember-to-argue/

[Prof Mark Elliott]

What makes a good argument?

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Law School Personal Statement Tips

In your personal statement for law school you want to present yourself as intelligent, professional, mature and persuasive. These are the qualities that make a good lawyer, so they're the qualities that law schools seek in applicants. Your grades and LSAT score are the most important part of your application to law school. But you shouldn't neglect the law school personal statement. Your application essay is a valuable opportunity to distinguish yourself from other applicants, especially those with similar LSAT scores and GPA.

How To Write a Personal Statement for Law School

1. be specific to each law school ..

You'll probably need to write only one basic personal statement, but you should tweak it for each law school to which you apply. There are usually some subtle differences in what each school asks for in a personal statement.

2. Good writing is writing that is easily understood.

Good law students—and good lawyers—use clear, direct prose. Remove extraneous words and make sure that your points are clear. Don't make admissions officers struggle to figure out what you are trying to say.

3. Get plenty of feedback on your law school personal statement.

The more time you've spent writing your personal statement, the less likely you are to spot any errors. You should ask for feedback from professors, friends, parents, and anyone else whose judgment and writing skills you trust. This will help ensure that your statement is clear, concise, candid, structurally sound and grammatically accurate.

4. Find your unique angle.

Who are you? What makes you unique? Sometimes, law school applicants answer this question in a superficial way. It's not enough to tell the admissions committee that you're a straight-A student from Missouri. You need to give them a deeper sense of yourself. And there's usually no need to mention awards or honors you've won. That's what the law school application or your resume is for.

Use your essay to explain how your upbringing, your education, and your personal and professional experiences have influenced you and led you to apply to law school. Give the admissions officers genuine insight into who you are. Don't use cliches or platitudes. The more personal and specific your personal statement is, the better received it will be.

Applying to law school? Use our law school search to find the right program for you or browse our law school ranking lists .

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What Makes a Good Law School Essay?

This is the perennial question posed to law school professors and academic support instructors: What does a good legal analysis look like? More specifically, what distinguishes a good analysis from a poor one? And what distinguishes an average analysis from a good, or an exceptional, analysis?

These questions are only natural to law students at all levels. I know from personal experience, not just as a professor but from my own experience as a law student. In my 1L Contracts class, for example, I recall receiving a score of a 94 on the midterm (the highest possible score being a 100). Not a bad result, and I would have been very pleased had the midterm results not been posted in a hallway of the school so that I was able to see the range of scores on the midterm. I saw that my midterm score was the second-highest in the class; the only student who scored higher than I did received a 96, only two points higher. Notwithstanding my excellent result on the exam, I had to wonder – what was the difference between my 94 and the other student’s 96? What could I have done differently to put myself over the top?

Questions like this have more urgency for students who are struggling just to survive in law school. If you are on academic probation, or facing failure in a course or removal from your JD program, your ultimate success in law school and the bar exam, and therefore your entire future in the legal profession, are at stake. The question demands an answer.

There are different ways to answer the question, but I think the best way to explain what makes for a good legal analysis on a law school essay is by example.

Below, you will find a basic 1L Contracts problem, with a basic question: Do the parties have an enforceable contract? Following the problem, you will see five sample answers, arranged in order from the weakest to the strongest, along with an explanatory note discussing what is good and bad about each answer.

Study these examples closely. Make an effort to understand what makes the good examples work and what causes the poor examples to fall short. Try to model your own answers after the former, and avoid the mistakes of the latter. Ultimately, you will learn that the difference between a good analysis and an excellent one is subtle, but that the difference between a poor analysis and a good one is vast.

Contracts Question

Rita plans to go into the business of painting houses. She has 200 flyers printed up reading, “Limited time only – houses painted for the low price of $2,000! Call Rita immediately at 555-1234 to accept this offer!” and distributes them around town.

The following day, Rita receives a call from Marvin. As soon as Rita answers the phone, Marvin states, “I accept your offer to paint my house for $2,000. You can start tomorrow at 10:00 a.m.” Marvin then quickly blurts out his address and hangs up before Rita has a chance to respond.

Is there an enforceable contract between Rita and Marvin to have Rita paint Marvin’s house for $2,000?

What to Know Before Proceeding

If you have not taken Contracts yet, or have just started learning Contracts, you will need to know some basics of Contract law before reading further. Here are the basic rules you would need to apply to answer this prompt:

Contract Formation : A valid contract requires proof of three elements: (1) offer; (2) acceptance; and (3) consideration.

Offer : An offer is the manifestation of a willingness to enter into a contract and be bound by its terms, expressed in definite terms, communicated to the offeree, and giving the offeree the power to close the deal. An offer is definite if it includes the essential terms of quantity, time of performance, identification of parties, price, and subject matter.

Advertisements as Offers : Generally, advertisements are not offers. However, advertisements can be considered offers if they are sufficiently definite and narrow in scope, and the offeree can be identified.

Acceptance : Acceptance is the unequivocal assent by the offeree to the offeror’s offer. Silence is generally not considered acceptance.

Consideration : Consideration is a bargained-for exchange, in which each party incurs a detriment and each party receives a benefit.

Sample Responses to Contracts Question

With the above rules in mind, review the following sample answers. They are arranged in order from worst to best. Each sample answer is followed by an explanatory note discussing the pros and cons of each response.

Sample Answer #1

An offer is the manifestation of a willingness to enter into a contract and be bound by its terms, expressed in definite terms, communicated to the offeree, and giving the offeree the power to close the deal. Rita’s first communication is an advertisement. Advertisements are not offers. Therefore, there is no offer and there can be no contract.

Explanatory Note to Sample Answer #1 : This is the answer of a student who is destined to fail law school. There are at least three problems with this answer.

First, the answer does not state a complete rule for contract formation. The question asks if there is a valid contract between Rita and Marvin. A valid contract requires three elements: (1) offer; (2) acceptance; and (3) consideration. The rule, and thus the answer, only discusses the first element, and is therefore incomplete.

Second, the rule for offers as advertisements is incomplete. The general rule is that advertisements are not offers, but invitations to deal. However, the general rule has an exception; offers can be deemed advertisements if they are narrow enough in scope and identifies the offerees. This answer does not address the exception at all.

Third, the answer hardly makes any use of the facts. After stating the rule for what makes a valid offer, and the general rule for advertisements as offers, the entire application of the facts to the rule consists of exactly two sentences, both of which state conclusions. Almost none of the facts, including the facts pertaining to whether the advertisement is an offer, are used.

Sample Answer #2

An offer is the manifestation of a willingness to enter into a contract and be bound by its terms, expressed in definite terms, communicated to the offeree, and giving the offeree the power to close the deal. Marvin will argue that Rita’s advertisement is an offer. Advertisements are not offers; therefore, Rita’s advertisement is not an offer. However, Marvin’s telephone call to Rita is an offer, because it is a manifestation of a willingness to enter into a contract with Rita and be bound by its terms, expressed in definite terms, communicated to the offeree (Rita), and giving Rita the power to close the deal by beginning performance.

Explanatory Note to Sample Answer #2 : This is also a poor answer. It improves on Sample Answer #1 by discussing Marvin’s telephone call to Rita, and therefore makes better use of the facts. However, the rules are still incomplete, the answer still only discusses the offer element of contract formation, and there is no discussion as to whether the advertisement is an offer.

Sample Answer #3

An offer is the manifestation of a willingness to enter into a contract and be bound by its terms, expressed in definite terms, communicated to the offeree, and giving the offeree the power to close the deal. An offer is definite if it includes the essential terms of quantity, time of performance, identification of parties, price, and subject matter. Marvin will argue that Rita’s advertisement is an offer. Generally, advertisements are not offers. Advertisements can be considered offers if they are sufficiently definite and are directed to specific individuals. This advertisement is not sufficiently definite, and is not directed to specific individuals. Therefore, it is not an offer. However, Marvin’s telephone call to Rita is an offer, because it is a manifestation of a willingness to enter into a contract with Rita and be bound by its terms, expressed in definite terms, communicated to the offeree (Rita), and giving Rita the power to close the deal by beginning performance.

Explanatory Note to Sample Answer #3 : This is better, but still not great. The answer still only addresses the offer element of contract formation. While it does address the exception to the general rule that ads are not offers, the discussion of this exception is conclusory – the statement “[t]his advertisement is not sufficiently definite” is a conclusion that is not supported by any facts.

Sample Answer #4

A valid contract requires proof of three elements: (1) offer; (2) acceptance; and (3) consideration. An offer is the manifestation of a willingness to enter into a contract and be bound by its terms, expressed in definite terms, communicated to the offeree, and giving the offeree the power to close the deal. An offer is definite if it includes the essential terms of quantity, time of performance, identification of parties, price, and subject matter. Generally, advertisements are not offers. However, advertisements can be considered offers if they are sufficiently definite and narrow in scope, and the offeree can be identified. Acceptance is the unequivocal assent by the offeree to the offeror’s offer. Consideration is a bargained-for exchange, in which each party incurs a detriment and each party receives a benefit.

Marvin will argue that Rita’s advertisement is an offer. Although the advertisement lists a price (which is apparently non-negotiable), it is not limited in the number of customers who can respond. It is also lacking in listing the time of performance (although Marvin may argue that this can be implied). Therefore, the advertisement is not an offer.

However, Marvin’s telephone call to Rita is an offer. The call makes it clear that Marvin intends to be bound by a contract to paint his house for $2,000, and all essential terms are either expressly included or implied in Marvin’s communication. It is communicated directly to Rita, and givers her the power to seal the contract by her assent. Therefore, there is an offer.

Explanatory Note to Sample Answer #4 : This is an improvement. The rule statement is complete, and the discussion of offer is much more extensive than in the other examples. However, while the rule discusses all three elements of contract formation, the application still only addresses the offer element.

Also, the organization is not great. When you have a rule that can be broken down into elements (like the rule for contract formation), it is usually better to break down the essay into different sections by element. For an example of what I mean by this, see Sample Answer #5 below.

Sample Answer #5

A valid contract requires proof of three elements: (1) offer; (2) acceptance; and (3) consideration. Each of these will be discussed in turn below.

Marvin will argue that Rita’s advertisement is an offer. Generally, advertisements are not offers. However, advertisements can be considered offers if they are sufficiently definite and narrow in scope, and the offeree can be identified. The issue therefore becomes whether the advertisement is sufficiently definite and narrowly tailored to be considered an offer.

Marvin will argue that the advertisement is sufficiently definite because it states the contract price (without stating that the price is negotiable), and because the number of flyers is limited. Marvin will argue that, by printing only a limited number of flyers, Rita communicated that she was ready, willing, and able to perform as many painting jobs as she had printed flyers. Marvin will also argue that the advertisement calls itself an offer, that it lists a quantity (one house for $2,000), and the time of performance is implied (immediate).

Rita will argue that most advertisements list a price, as advertisements that do not list price are usually not effective. Rita will also argue that she has not limited the number of customers who may respond to the ad (it does not limit the offer to a certain number of responders), and she has no control over how many people will see the flyers or call to offer her work. It would therefore be unfair to hold her to a binding contract any time someone somewhere sees her flyer and calls her to “accept”, because she is not equipped to handle a potentially unlimited number of paint jobs. Rita will also argue that the “offer” language in the advertisement has no legal effect.

A court will most likely agree with Rita, because to call this advertisement an offer would set a bad precedent of holding a business to a binding contract any time a businessman prints a limited number of ads listing a specific price. Such a ruling would chill advertisements, especially among small businesses. A court would most likely hold that the advertisement is not an offer.

However, a court would hold that Marvin’s telephone call to Rita is an offer. The call makes it clear that Marvin intends to be bound by a contract to paint his house for $2,000, and all essential terms are either expressly included or implied in Marvin’s communication. It is communicated directly to Rita, and givers her the power to seal the contract by her assent. Therefore, there is an offer.

B. Acceptance

Acceptance is the unequivocal assent by the offeree to the offeror’s offer. Silence is normally not construed as acceptance.

Had Rita’s advertisement constituted an offer, Marvin’s response would certainly be an acceptance. Marvin enthusiastically and unequivocally agreed to all of the terms in the ad. However, because Rita’s ad was not an offer, Marvin’s response cannot be an acceptance because there was nothing for Marvin to accept.

Although Marvin’s response to the ad is an offer, he hung up the phone before Rita could respond. He therefore never gave her a chance to respond his offer. Because Rita was not given the chance to respond, and therefore had no opportunity to accept, she did not accept. This element is not satisfied.

C. Consideration

Consideration is a bargained-for exchange, in which each party incurs a detriment and each party receives a benefit.

Here, there is consideration – house painting in exchange for $2,000. If the parties had reached an agreement by offer and acceptance, there would be a valid contract. However, as discussed above, the element of acceptance is missing. Therefore, although there is an offer and consideration, there is no contract because there is no acceptance.

Explanatory Note to Sample Answer #5 : This is by far the best of the five, and would receive a high score. It includes complete rule statements, it is thorough in its discussion of the facts, and it discusses every element fully and completely. It is also organized well and therefore easy to follow. This is the sort of answer you should be modeling your own analysis after.

If you continue to struggle with legal analysis, practice! Use the practice hypotheticals on Virtual Law Tutor to work on your written legal analysis. Each question is a single-issue hypothetical, with a modest time limit. After you submit your answer, you will be shown a sample answer, accompanied by an explanatory note discussing why the sample answer is accurate. Using these hypotheticals for practice will sharpen your skills and show you what you need to improve on going forward.

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How to write a 'why this law school' essay with examples.

Reviewed by:

David Merson

Former Head of Pre-Law Office, Northeastern University, & Admissions Officer, Brown University

Reviewed: 2/6/24

Entering law school? Knowing how to approach the “why law” school essay is vital—it's your tool to articulate why their institution is the ideal match for your legal goals. Let's get straight to it.

Getting into law school involves more than just grades—it's about convincing the admissions team why their school is the perfect fit for you.

In this guide, we'll walk you through the process of crafting a strong "Why This Law School" essay, using clear examples and practical advice to help your application stand out in the competitive pool of applicants. So, let's get down to the essentials that will make your essay a key asset in securing your spot at the law school of your choice.

Writing the "Why This Law School" Essay

When writing your "Why This Law School" essay, it's important to thoughtfully consider key elements to express your connection with clarity and purpose. So, let’s take a look at how to write a “why law” school essay.

Generating Ideas for Impactful Content

When you're getting ready to write your “why law” school essay, start by doing some research. Dig into the school's culture, mission, faculty, and special projects. Learn about their history and what campus life is like.

Next, think about what genuinely interests you about the school. It could be their commitment to diversity, a specific course they offer, or interesting internship opportunities . Write down these things that catch your attention.

Now, connect your own experiences, events, and skills with the things you found interesting about the school. If they're big on diversity, share your own experiences supporting inclusivity.

If there's a specific course you like, talk about how your past courses and work experiences make you a great fit. Basically, show them why you're not just any applicant but someone who can really add to what makes the school unique.

Stating Academic and Career Goals

A concise statement sets the stage, pinpointing what draws you to the school. Perhaps it's the renowned faculty or the emphasis on practical skills. Illustrate with a personal example—maybe a transformative moment during an internship or a class—that aligns with the school's values. Showcase your connection.

Highlight how your future aspirations intertwine with the school's strengths. Whether it's honing specific legal skills or contributing to a particular aspect of the academic community, paint a vivid picture of what you aim to achieve. Keep it focused, emphasizing the tapestry of alignment between your goals and the school's offerings.

Exploring Unique Opportunities Related to Your Interests

When explaining why a specific law school captures your attention, it's crucial to move beyond generic features and explore the distinctive opportunities the institution offers. For instance, consider the case of the UC Berkeley School of Law .

Dive into specific clinics like the Environmental Law Clinic, renowned professors such as Professor Abhay Aneja , or cutting-edge research projects like the Berkeley Center for Law and Technology. By delving into these unique aspects, you showcase genuine interest in what sets Berkeley Law apart.

Establishing a personal connection to these opportunities is key. It's not just about what Berkeley Law provides; it's about how programs like these align with your personal and professional goals.

This connection adds depth to your application, demonstrating how you'll not only benefit from these opportunities but also contribute positively to the overall Berkeley Law community. Effectively communicating this alignment enhances your case for being an ideal fit for the institution.

Adding Top Academic and Extracurricular/Social Reasons for Application

Crafting a compelling application involves presenting a balanced approach that seamlessly integrates both academic and extracurricular or social reasons for your choice. Showcase a comprehensive understanding of the law school's offerings, not only in terms of curriculum but also in the broader context of the overall student experience.

To demonstrate fit, articulate how your academic pursuits align harmoniously with the school's curriculum. Illustrate how the courses, faculty expertise, and academic environment resonate with your educational goals. Simultaneously, emphasize how your extracurricular interests contribute meaningfully to the broader community.

Whether it's involvement in student organizations, community service, or social initiatives, conveying a holistic engagement paints a picture of a candidate who will not only excel academically but also enrich the social fabric of the law school.

Knowing the Right Essay Length

If there are no guidelines, aim for around one double-spaced page, roughly 250–350 words. Format your essay like your personal statement, using "Interest in School X" in the header unless the application specifies otherwise (e.g., "Supplemental Essay One"). This ensures a smooth and organized flow of your thoughts throughout your application.

Thinking about length isn't just a detail; it's a sign of respecting the application process and the committee's time. This consideration makes your response more impactful and shows you get the importance of being concise without losing depth.

Seeking Professional Assistance

Starting your law school journey involves complexities, from crafting a strong application to excelling in standardized tests like the LSAT , GRE, Bar Exam, or MPRE. At Juris Education, our experienced admissions counselors are here to guide you through every step.

Navigating the details of expressing your achievements and overcoming setbacks can be challenging. Our team offers personalized guidance to help you strategically present your unique strengths, ensuring they connect with admissions committees.

Our consulting services are more than just advice; they make a real difference. Specifically designed for applicants dealing with challenges like low GPAs or LSAT scores, we specialize in turning setbacks into strengths, significantly improving your chances of acceptance.

We work closely with you to identify and highlight your standout qualities, tailoring your application to showcase what makes you exceptional. This personal touch sets you apart and boosts your appeal to admissions committees.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in Your “Why This Law School” Essay

Avoiding common pitfalls in your "Why This Law School" essay is crucial for clarity:

1. Vague Statements

When writing your essay, steer clear of vague language that could apply to any law school. Instead, focus on specific elements that make the institution unique, such as distinctive programs, esteemed faculty, or unparalleled opportunities.

Get into the details when discussing academic offerings—highlight faculty members aligned with your interests and pinpoint programs resonating with your academic goals. This specificity not only reveals your research depth but also establishes a thoughtful connection to the school.

2. Overemphasis on Reputation

While acknowledging a law school's prestige is vital, avoid fixating solely on reputation without linking it to your personal and professional goals. Admission committees want to understand how the school's reputation aligns with your aspirations and why it's the ideal place for your legal education.

Connect the school's reputation to your objectives to provide a nuanced perspective. For instance, if a law school is renowned for environmental law , emphasize this alignment if you're passionate about environmental advocacy.

3. Ignoring Extracurricular/Social Aspects

Don't overlook the significance of social and extracurricular factors in your decision-making process. Law school extends beyond academics; it's a comprehensive experience involving a community, networking opportunities, and extracurricular activities . Integrate both academic and extracurricular aspects into your essay.

Discuss how the law school's social environment, student organizations, and community engagement contribute to a holistic educational experience. This showcases a well-rounded understanding of the institution and its role in your overall legal education.

Structuring Your "Why This Law School?" Essay Effectively

Let's dive into how to make your "Why This Law School?" essay stand out by structuring it effectively.

Outlining Key Points and Themes

Making your "Why This Law School?" essay easy to understand involves a strategic approach:

1. Identify School-Specific Elements

Begin by pinpointing specific aspects of the law school that catch your interest—unique programs, esteemed faculty, or notable achievements. This lays the groundwork for a focused and impactful essay.

For instance, if the law school is known for its environmental law program and you're passionate about sustainability, highlight this in your essay. Show a deep understanding of the school's offerings and how they align with your personal and professional goals.

2. Prioritize Impactful Points

Once you've figured out what matters to you, rank them based on how much they affect your decision. What stands out the most to you? What fits well with your career goals? Putting the most impactful points first helps keep your essay clear and persuasive.

For instance, if the law school has a special program where you can work directly with clients, and this lines up with your goal of getting hands-on legal experience, make sure to highlight this. The goal is to show a sincere and careful tie to the institution.

3. Create a Logical Flow

Plan your essay with a clear order, starting with the most important points. Transition smoothly between your academic, extracurricular, and personal experiences to create a cohesive story that highlights your deep understanding of the law school and why it suits you.

For example, if your interest in environmental law relates to your commitment to community service, make sure to emphasize this connection. A well-structured and logically flowing essay enhances readability and strengthens your overall argument for why the law school is an ideal match for you.

Combining Academic and Extracurricular/Social Reasons

Ensuring balance is key when shaping your "Why This Law School?" essay. It's not just about academics; it's about capturing the broader law school experience. Avoid going all-in on one side; try to reflect your appreciation for academic offerings and your potential impact on the law school community.

Discuss how your academic path blends seamlessly with the social dynamics of law school. Share how your classes and extracurricular interests harmonize, illustrating how your involvement in student organizations weaves effortlessly into your coursework.

For instance, if the law school's clinical programs align with your academic groove, delve into how it extends beyond conventional study methods. Emphasize the practical, real-world learning experiences it offers.

By showcasing this interconnected approach, you demonstrate a well-thought-out perspective on your entire law school journey, adding an authentic and profound dimension to your essay.

Using Feedback and Editing Wisely

As you fine-tune your "Why This Law School" essay, let's talk about using feedback and editing in a smart and effective way.

1. Reach Out for Help

Before finishing your essay, get input from people you trust. Share your essay with mentors, peers, or advisors to get helpful feedback. Others can offer insights and spot areas for improvement that you might miss.

Choose people who know about the law school application process and can give constructive feedback on what you've written. Their input is essential for polishing both the content and presentation of your essay.

2. Revision Time

Revise your essay based on feedback, focusing on clarity, coherence, and strengthening your argument. Make sure to pay attention to suggestions that take your narrative to the next level. If feedback aligns with your goals, try to incorporate it. But, most importantly, trust your judgment and maintain the integrity of your narrative if a suggestion doesn't make sense with your vision.

3. Final Polishing

Before you submit your essay, focus on a last edit for grammar, style, and overall coherence. Make sure it fits the word or character limit and stays well-organized. Check how ideas flow, transitions between paragraphs, and the general readability.

A refined essay shows your dedication to a thoughtful application. Spend a moment on this final review to catch any remaining errors and guarantee your essay leaves the intended impression.

3 Examples of Successful “Why This Law School” Essays

Explore three successful examples of "Why This Law School" essays to gain practical insights into crafting compelling narratives and building strategic connections. Each “why law” school essay example has something to offer. Let’s get into them.

1. "Why Northwestern" Essay Example

Prompt : While other parts of your application give us a sense of who you are, we are also excited to hear more about how you see yourself engaging with the larger Northwestern community. In 300 words or less, help us understand how you might engage specific resources, opportunities, and/or communities here. We are curious about what these specifics are, as well as how they may enrich your time at Northwestern and beyond. (300 words max)

Essay Example

“I love Northwestern’s academic flexibility, including the freedom of the curriculum to explore a variety of fields and the emphasis on cross-department study. Also, the quarter system provides a faster pace of learning and the opportunity to take more classes than a semester school.

Specifically, I am excited by the Spanish and Portuguese departments and the classes on Hispanic and Lusophone culture, literature, and phonetics.

For example, the accelerated Portuguese program is a perfect way to pick up the language at a faster pace using my prior knowledge of Spanish. I intend to supplement my language acquisition through the study abroad programs offered at the Fundação Getúlio Vargas in Rio de Janeiro or an affiliate program in Santiago, Chile.

Additionally, the GESI program in Costa Rica is another intriguing opportunity through its intersectionality. It will allow me to combine a practical application of my language skills with studies in environmental conservation that I find a pressing and interesting issue. As an open-minded learner keen to forge links between academic fields of study, I believe I would be an excellent fit for the program.

I am also interested in Linguistics and pursuing undergraduate research or possibly undertaking the coterminal BA/MA program. The opportunity to link my research to a modern language of choice and investigate, for example, regional variation in Latin American Spanish or how Portuguese loanwords have infiltrated native Amazonian languages sounds fascinating and exciting.

Finally, the unique sense of community at Northwestern captivated me when I visited campus. The residential college system, the school spirit at Wildcat games, and the friendliness of the students I met, one of whom described the school as “the most welcoming place ever”, were all emblematic of this atmosphere for me. I think I will thrive in such a dynamic and inquisitive place.”

Why This Essay Works

This essay does a great job answering the prompt. It's clear and to the point. The applicant talks about why they're excited about Northwestern, like the flexibility of the curriculum and the quarter system.

They also get specific about their interests, like the Portuguese program and study abroad opportunities. Plus, they mention their enthusiasm for the community at Northwestern, which is a nice touch.

2. "Why Tufts?" Essay Example

Prompt : Which aspects of the Tufts undergraduate experience prompt your application? In short, "Why Tufts?" (150 words max)

“The cross-curricular focus and freedom of study at Tufts would allow me to pursue an interdisciplinary major and draw together my love for Spanish, Portuguese, Linguistics, and the natural sciences. This unique ability to design my own major by combining elements from a variety of academic fields definitely excites me. To support this, I intend to participate in the study abroad program in Chile or a civic semester in Urubamba, Peru that will allow me to practice my language skills while also benefitting the local community and gaining an invaluable cultural understanding through intimate homestay experience. Other than the academics, the vibrant community at Tufts also attracts me, with the warm and compassionate students acting as flattering adverts for the school. One student I spoke with described the average Jumbo as “goofy and loving” which I feel accurately matches my own character and outlook.

(144/150 words)”

This essay works because it clearly shows how Tufts University's cross-curricular approach aligns with the applicant's academic interests in Spanish, Portuguese, Linguistics, and the natural sciences.

It also conveys the applicant's intention to craft a unique major and engage in enriching experiences like studying abroad and contributing to local communities. Additionally, it portrays Tufts as a welcoming and compassionate community through the description provided by a current student, making a strong case for why the applicant is interested in the university.

3. "Why Tulane?" Essay Example

Prompt : Please describe why you are interested in attending Tulane University (optional). (50-800 words)

“Tulane University has a unique history, deeply established in the city it calls home, New Orleans. After transitioning from a medical school to a full college in in 1847, then undergoing a name change from the University of Louisiana to Tulane in 1884, as the city changed, Tulane changed with it. Tulane is the crossroad of two distinctly different ideals: being rooted in tradition and adapting to the needs of modern society.

When the city was devastated by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Tulanians answered the call to serve. Scott S. Cowen, then-President of Tulane, refused to let the hurricane ruin Tulane and the CIty. Tulanians were part of rescue and clean-up teams, devoting time and resources to rebuilding their school and the city it calls home. What was most impressive, however, was their resilience.

It would’ve been easy for the student body and staff to not come back. Being as smart and service-oriented as they are, the students and faculty could’ve found another place to live and learn easily. Yet, they returned. Tulanians have a certain sense of pride and commitment to the school that I admire.

They could’ve stayed home and not gone back, but they wanted to pick up the pieces of the school they love. It’s clear that Tulanians take ownership in their education. I want to go to a school that my peers want to go to; I want to be immersed in a community as excited about being in it as I am. That’s Tulane.

I could go on and on about Tulane’s teacher education program. I could write about how Tulane-educated teachers are leaders in their fields because they have both a degree in their area of study as well as certification to teach. Maybe I could mention the service learning requirements necessary to graduate and enter the teacher certification program, ensuring that the teachers are prepared to instill morals in the students that walk through their classroom door.

Truthfully, I could go almost anywhere to become a teacher, but only schools like Tulane that synthesize in- and out-of-classroom learning produce great ones. Tulane, like I said before, houses a resilient and altruistic student body. They served New Orleans specifically in 2005, but Tulanians serve their community every single day. Newsweek ranked Tulane 19th for service-minded schools. Likewise, the U.S. News & World Report placed Tulane in the top 25 schools for service learning. It is one of the top schools for producing Peace Corps volunteers, a program that interested me for post-graduate work.

Whether it is through Outreach Tulane, CACTUS, Wave of Green, or another similar program, I will be immersed in service work throughout my four years. Tulane stands alone in its commitment to community. Classroom education is married with service learning, producing empathetic, worldly leaders ready to set the world on fire. In my case, that will be through educating the next generation.

I need a meaningful education to be a meaningful educator. Tulane is unparalleled in its dedication to development of the students, on a personal and intellectual level. From when I touch the Victory Bell after Convocation all the way to when I say farewell at the Wave Goodbye Party at Commencement, I’ll have changed and grown, both in my mind and in my heart.

The Tulane study body is diverse and well-rounded; finding people and groups with shared interests is inevitable. I could see myself writing for the Hullabaloo or being a tutor in the After-School Newcomb Tutoring (which will bridge my learning and my intended career and give practical application to my education classes). But more so, I can just envision myself at Tulane, as a Tulanian. The willowing oak, myrtle, and cypress trees, the world-renowned research facilities, the dedicated faculty, the motivated and inspired student body, and the timeless school spirit all lend itself to a picture I can see myself in.”

This essay does a great job of showing why the applicant wants to attend Tulane University. It talks about the university's history, how it responded to Hurricane Katrina, and why the applicant is interested in their teacher education program.

It also mentions the strong commitment to service and personal growth at Tulane. Overall, it makes a strong case for why the applicant is excited about being a part of the Tulane community.

To sum it up, writing your “why law” school essay is all about storytelling. From understanding the unique aspects of law school to combining academic and extracurricular reasons, your essay is a chance to show why you're a perfect fit.

Explore the unique opportunities the school provides, creating a personal connection that enhances your application. Keep it simple: Steer clear of common mistakes, and make sure your essay is well-structured. And don't forget, the right essay length is more than a detail—it shows respect for the application process.

If you find it helpful, consider getting expert advice for a well-guided path to law school. Take inspiration from successful examples as you start your writing journey, creating a narrative that sets you apart in the competitive realm of law school applications.

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Sample law school personal statement essays, get accepted speak with an admissions expert today.

Sample Essays

You are a thoughtful, intelligent, and unique individual. You already know that—now you just need to convince top law school adcoms that you're a cut above the rest. To do so you need to write a powerful personal statement for law school. Let's first discuss what that personal statement should be and then examine examples and what made them powerful.

A law school personal statement tells the part of your story that reveals your motivation for attending law school and the reasons you will make a great lawyer (or whatever career you want to pursue after law school).

By reading the sample law school essays provided below, you should get a clear idea of how to translate your qualifications, passions, and individual experiences into words. You will see that the samples here employ a creative voice, use detailed examples, and draw the reader in with a clear writing style. Most importantly, these personal statements are compelling—each one does a fine job of convincing you that the author of the essay is a human being worth getting to know, or better yet, worth having in your next top law school class.

These sample law school personal statement essays are here to stimulate your writing juices, not to shut them down or persuade you to think that these essays represent templates that you must follow. The writers of these essays, who were all once law school applicants just like you, sat down, thought about their stories, and crafted these essays. However, their first step, significant self-reflection and thought, you can’t see. They didn’t use a template or try to shoehorn their story into someone else’s story. You shouldn’t either. But you should take the same first step that they took: Think about your life, the influences upon it, and why you want to obtain a legal education.

Your story will be different from these author’s stories, but as you review all four of the sample essays you will see commonalities among them, which are highlighted below. You will also see that they are very different essays written by individuals reflecting their different life experiences and dreams. The authors of each of these essays were all accepted to law school, in some cases to elite U.S. law schools.

Now let’s explore what you can learn from each of these outstanding sample law school essays.

Lessons from Law School Sample Essay #1: The Archaeologist Enthusiast

Attention-grabbing opening - The author of the essay immediately grabs the readers’ attention by placing them in the midst of the scene and vividly conveying what the author felt and saw as well as the excitement she felt.
Vivid, visual opening and consistent use of opening imagery - You can practically feel the dripping sweat and the heat at the opening of this essay because the applicant used vivid, sensory language that we can all relate to. She also quickly develops a metaphor comparing archaeological excavation with research in general and legal research specifically. She uses the imagery of archaeology (“finding the shard of glass,” “reconstructing the pot”) consistently throughout the personal statement to convey not only the unusual experiences she’s had in the past, but to show her love of research and analysis.
A clear theme that ties the essay together- Her essay has a clear theme, which she states at the end of the first paragraph and in her conclusion. (You may not need to state it twice; that depends on your essay.) The applicant also relates every experience in the essay to her theme of research, analysis, and discovery.
Solid structure - Because her theme is so strong, the essay is easy to follow even though she has diverse experiences that aren’t obviously related to each other – archaeology in Spain, research on Colombian environmental policy, working for an online real estate company considering entry into the art market, and her travels.
Good use of transitions - Transitions help your reader move from one topic to the next as you connect the topic in the preceding paragraph to the topic in the next. They can consist of a few words or a phrase or simply repetition of the topic by name as opposed to using a pronoun. The first paragraph in this sample essay ends with “research and analysis” and the next paragraph begins with “The challenge of researching and analyzing an unknown subject” as she turns from her introduction to her enjoyment of academic life and the research she had done in college.

While one could argue that perhaps she has too many subtopics in this essay, because of the strong theme and excellent use of transitions, the essay holds together and highlights her diversity of experience, curiosity, and sense of adventure.

Most importantly this law school personal statement earned its author a seat at an elite T10 law school.

Click here to read the essay >>

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Lessons from Law School Sample Essay #2: Returning to School

This sample law school personal statement is about half the length of Essay 1 and concentrates on the author’s post-college work experience. In its brevity and focus it’s the mirror image of Law School Essay 1. The contrast between the two highlights the diversity that can work in law school essays.

This applicant writes about the impact of his work experience on his law school goals – with no discussion of extracurricular activities, hobbies, or travels. He had a tight word limit on his personal statement and simply had to be concise. Regardless of the narrower focus and shorter length, this essay also shares certain elements with Essay 1 and in both cases it leads to an engaging personal statement and acceptance. Let’s review them:

Engaging, vivid opening that grabs attention - The applicant plops the reader right into his story and challenge: how to persuade the tired, grouchy doctors that the product he’s selling is better than the one they have been prescribing.
A detailed story of his developing interest in law and relevant experience - Using just enough details, he tells his story starting with research that led to evidence-based persuasion. He also highlights his success, which led him to be named Rookie of the Year. He then goes on to explain that he now seeks new, more-lasting intellectual challenge than he currently has as a pharmaceutical sales rep because the industry, or at least his segment of it, changes slowly.
Direction within law - Based on his background in science and his work in Big Pharma, he has direction in law. He clearly states that he wants to go into medical law. Given his background and work experience, that goal builds logically on his past, and is distinctive.
Ties the essay back to the opening - At the end of his essay, he references “his grumpy physicians” and “staring at his professor…” Sometimes applicants will start an essay with a catchy opening that grabs attention, but has little or nothing to do with the rest of the essay. When reading that kind of essay, the opening feels like a tease or a gimmick. In this essay, the applicant paints a picture of what he faces on a typical workday at the beginning, refers back to the opening scene in his conclusion, and contrasts that experience with what he hopes to face when in law school. It’s not a gimmick. It unifies the story.

This applicant was accepted at several T14 law schools.

Click here to read the essay >>

Law School Sample Essay #3: The Twilight Zone

There is a story behind this law school personal statement. This applicant, a very early Accepted client, during her first meeting said that she wanted to write about a trip to Country X. When asked about the trip, she said, “Oh, I’ve never been to Country X, but I know many people who have visited, and I haven’t done anything interesting.”

Surprised at this unexpected approach, her consultant asked if she had any creative writing experience. The client said she didn’t. The consultant said that she too lacked creative writing experience and suggested they discuss what the client had done as opposed to what she hadn’t. This essay is the result of that (and other) conversations. It is an oldie but goodie.

Let’s take a look at the lessons in this sample law school essay:

Don’t ever feel you don’t have a story to tell. Every single one of us has a story, and you don’t have to make one up or borrow someone else’s. Tell yours proudly and authentically.
Launch with a vivid, engaging opening. While her opening is a more frightening than the other openings, it definitely grips the reader’s attention and starts her story.
Always have a clear theme. Everything in this essay relates to the impact of the earthquake on her and specifically her decision to become a public interest lawyer.
Tell a story. This personal statement tells the story of the earthquake’s impact on the applicant. In telling her story, she highlights her community service, her internship, and the evolution of her goals.
Use effective transitions. As she moves from topic to topic, the author effectively carries the reader along. Look at the end of one paragraph and the beginning of the next one throughout the essay. You’ll see that in every case, there is either a word, phrase, or concept that ties one to the other.
Write a conclusion that really brings the essay to a close and contributes to the sense of unity while still looking forward. The applicant repeats her thesis that her career direction was shaped by the earthquake and its aftermath. She touches on key experiences (and achievements) that she wants the reader to remember, looks briefly forward, and ties back to the Twilight Zone opening.

This client was accepted to her top choice law school.

Lessons from Law School Sample Essay #4: Change

This essay takes a different approach than the other three essays. The theme opens the essay followed by images and sounds that make the change she is experienced something the reader can also experience or at least imagine because the applicant uses sensory language. The writer also takes a chronological approach to tell her story of change and how it shaped her.

The author in this essay chooses not to directly address her reasons for wanting to attend law school. However, the essay still works. The essay highlights her communications skills, research, international exposure, bilingual language skills, and initiative.

However here, too, there are lessons to be learned and some may sound familiar.

Clear theme - Yes, this takeaway is in this essay as well as the preceding three. In fact, for any effective essay, you need a clear theme.
Effective use of specifics and anecdote - Whether referencing the “bleak Wisconsin winter,” the fact her mother added “barbecued brisket” to her menu in Texas, or the cultural challenges she faced in Bolivia, she effectively illustrates her ability to deal with change and adapt throughout her life.
A conclusion that shows her evolution and growth - She subtly, but clearly reveals an evolution in her adaptability from complete adoption of the mores of her surroundings in New Jersey to more nuanced adaptability where she chooses what she wants to adopt and reject as she deals with change as an adult. Finally, while change is something she has to deal with throughout most of the essay by the conclusion she views it as an opportunity for growth.

Takeaways from These Law School Statement Samples

There are an infinite number of ways to write a law school personal statement that will help you get accepted.
Begin your essay with an opening that grabs your reader’s attention. In today’s age of short attention spans and very busy people, there should be no long, slow warm ups. Put your reader in the scene as soon as they start reading.
Use sensory language to engage your reader and help them imagine experiencing what you were going through. Reference scenes, sounds, smells, textures, and tastes as appropriate.
Have a clear theme. Unless you are James Joyce, a stream of consciousness will not work. Know the core idea you want your essay to convey and ruthlessly ensure that every subtopic supports that idea. If it doesn’t, either make the connection clear or delete.
Use transitions to take your reader with you through your story.
Use specifics and anecdotes to support your theme in a distinctive way while highlighting your achievements.
Write a conclusion that contributes to the unity of your essay. Highlight key points in your conclusion. While you can take your theme into the future in your conclusion, it still must relate to your core idea and build on what preceded it. If you can tie your ending back to your opening, your essay will have a stronger sense of coherence.

How would I like to see these essays improved? I would like to see them, with the exception of Essay 2, address why they are applying to a given school. Essay 2 didn’t have room for that.

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How to write the perfect law essay?

How to write the perfect law essay? What should I do to prepare for studying law at university? Often students want to know what books they should read over the summer to get a head start on their studies.

Rather than try to get a “head start” on their studies, the best thing a student can do is make sure their academic foundations are solid. In law, that means ensuring your writing skills and technique are tip-top. Law is a subject where essays are very important.

So what makes a good essay? To answer that question, we first need to know the purpose of essays. Fundamentally, essays are written arguments. They are your opportunity to give, and defend, your opinion on a topic. Law teachers are, after all, training you to be lawyers. This genre of writing allows you to articulate a point, prove it with evidence, and defend it from criticism, just as you would do if you were arguing a case in court.

The most common pitfall for students is producing a descriptive or generic essay. Let’s say, for example, that you must write an essay responding to the question: “Should necessity be a defence to murder in criminal law?” The descriptive essay is one that does not produce an argument, but instead generally describes the law on necessity in criminal law. This is an entirely understandable mistake.

Students, anxious to show off their knowledge, often try to write down every case they know on the topic. But in doing so, they fail to show the analytical and evaluation skills needed to receive top marks.

Then there’s structure. A perfect essay has four parts. The first part is obviously the introduction, which does not need to be long. It should take up around 10% of the essay and should do two things. First, it gives the author’s thesis. Your introduction must have a “thesis statement”: a sentence or two saying “In this essay, I will argue…” Second, the essay includes a roadmap. Tell your reader what you will discuss first, what you will discuss second, and third. By the end of the intro, your reader will know that you have grasped the essential point of an essay and can logically structure an argument.

The second part is where you give your argument. This involves providing the reasons which support your thesis statement. Let’s say we are arguing that necessity ought to be a defence to the charge of murder. This section will involve explaining the reasons for your thesis, and backing those reasons up with examples and evidence. For example, you may discuss the famous case of R v Dudley and Stephens in one paragraph. In this case, sailors at sea would have died of starvation if they had not killed, and eaten, a cabin boy. You may use this example to show how it would be unfair to judge people by ordinary standards in extraordinary circumstances. Choose your examples wisely. Remember, the point is not to tell the reader every case you know, but to select the ones that illustrate your argument.

Then you must defend your thesis from counterarguments. No argument is free from criticism. You must anticipate and respond to those possible rebuttals. For example, if we are saying necessity should be a defence to murder, one might anticipate a counterargument that some individuals will lie, claim necessity and avoid murder charges.

Now is your chance to nip this argument in the bud. Start your paragraph with a sentence like: “I reject the argument that necessity will lead to lower murder rate convictions …” And then back that point up with reasons, examples and evidence. Maybe your reason is that the likelihood of fraud is low, or maybe you say that even if conviction rates are lower, this is necessary to ensure fairness in genuine cases of necessity; the potential responses are long and varied.

And lastly comes the conclusion. This part is simple: reiterate your thesis statement and summarise your main supporting arguments. Again, this should be no more than 10% of your essay. Whatever you do, do not bring up new topics or new arguments here. The time for that is long gone.

Once you have your essay written, it is now time to turn to the editing process. Law is a subject where words matter. As the Italians say, lawyers “play with words”. We spend a lot of time twisting the words used by our opponents in court. It matters, therefore, that your written product clearly expresses what you intend to say.

How to write the perfect law essay

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What Makes a Good Lawyer? Qualities & Characteristics

Want to practise law and wondering what makes a good lawyer? This page details the key skills you need to pursue a legal career - from critical thinking to managing high-stress situations.

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What Skills Do Good Lawyers Have?

A good lawyer is highly skilled. You can start to develop the skills you need to become a good lawyer at A-Level, university, through work experience , a legal apprenticeship , a CILEx qualification , a law conversion course , and beyond.

You will be expected to develop a range of skills, from communication to research, and creative to logical thinking. To be a good lawyer, you must have:

A strong knowledge of the law
Good judgement and decision making skills
Research and analytical skills
Writing and comprehension skills
Good communication, public speaking and listening skills
Leadership and logical thinking skills

Good lawyers never stop learning and are proactive, not reactive. The skills a lawyer needs are cultivated over time and come with experience. Whether you have just started studying law, just starting out on your legal career or you have 20 years of legal experience, you will continuously be developing these key lawyer skills.

Key Skills For Lawyers

Knowledge of the law.

A strong knowledge of the law is a key foundational skill for lawyers. If you plan to pursue a career in a specific area of law, dedicate your time to developing your legal knowledge in that legal discipline.

Good Communication

Good communication is the cornerstone of any lawyer-client relationship. You need to know how to communicate in all kinds of different situations, so you should never miss an opportunity to sharpen your communication skills. Listening and responsiveness are pillars of good communication as a lawyer, and are highly appreciated by clients facing challenging situations.

Creativity is also a key skill for lawyers. The law is not purely a science, there is an art to effective legal practice. In some cases, you will need to ‘think outside the box’ to find a solution. A good lawyer knows how to apply creativity under pressure.

Logical, Analytic, Research and Writing Skills

Having excellent logical, analytical, research and writing skills are all hallmarks of a good lawyer. Successful lawyers must be able to prepare effective, clear and well-reasoned legal documents and arguments that require research, plus a strong analytical and logical approach.

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Personal Qualities For a Lawyer

The key personal quality for a lawyer is a true passion for the job. For example, if you are passionate about tackling key societal issues, you can fulfil your passion as a successful lawyer.

Equally, resilience is a personal quality for good lawyers. Some days, the legal profession can be tough and you will have to dig in because you will face demanding deadlines, complicated legal cases, high-stakes scenarios and even potentially vulnerable clients. You will also be subject to constant feedback and review from your peers, so a thick skin is essential for a good lawyer.

You must be motivated to be a good lawyer because you will often have to work long, challenging hours. Staying motivated helps to keep cases on track, ensures things aren’t overlooked and maintains your commitment to helping clients to the best of your ability.

Key Lawyer Characteristics

Organisation.

A key characteristic of a good lawyer is organisation. There are a lot of components to the legal system, and being organised ensures that you maintain professional standards and adhere to legal processes. Lawyers work with all kinds of evidence and sensitive information.

Good organisation protects sensitive information from getting into the wrong hands, and helps to keep all legal documents in order, which is important if they need to be referred to during a case.

Legal cases can last months or even years, so patience is another key lawyer characteristic. Having patience enables you to act professionally when clients are pushing you for answers.

When acting on behalf of a client, a solid emotional balance is important. That’s where composure comes in. Legal cases can be intense, and a good lawyer will be able to stay composed under pressure to maintain a sense of respect and professionalism in all situations.

Working with clients as a lawyer requires compassion. There is a lot of emotion involved in legal cases, and demonstrating compassion can help a client feel more assured in difficult times. While it is important to separate your own emotions from challenging cases, showing compassion is useful when interacting with clients.

Powers of persuasion tie in with good people skills as a key characteristic of a good lawyer. Irrespective of academic qualities, lawyers work with people and on behalf of people every day, and the actions a lawyer takes, affect people’s lives. Convincing clients to take specific actions that are in their best interests often requires some gentle persuasion.

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To become a good lawyer, you must invest in learning and developing your skills, your personal qualities and your character. Combining all these factors will help you develop all the attributes needed to succeed as a lawyer.

As a lawyer, you will have a responsibility to guide your clients through the legal system to the best of your ability. A good lawyer continuously develops their craft, maintaining their knowledge of the law and dedicating themselves to personal development.

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How to Write a First-Class Law Essay
At the same time, you'll need to be able to communicate your ideas clearly and persuasively. In this article, we'll cover some top tips to guide you through the process of planning, researching, structuring and writing a first-class law essay with confidence. 1. Start In Advance. Give yourself plenty of time to plan, research and write your ...
How to Structure a Law Essay (Tips from a Former LLB Lecturer)
Restate key supporting arguments. The final stage of creating the plan of your law essay is to pick 2 to 3 key supporting arguments which you discussed in the main body of your paper and outline them again. This time, however, you will not be getting into a detailed discussion of how case law or statute sections justify your supporting arguments.
Law: Legal essay
A key element of successful law essays is the structure. A good structure will enable you to communicate your ideas fluently and efficiently. This is an important and highly valued skill not only in law school, but in practice as well. Usually, your essay requires an introduction, body paragraphs and a conclusion. Generally, you should have one ...
How To Write A Good Law Essay
Here are some practical and practical tips for planning a one good law essay. Highlight specific words and phrases in the essay's title. Take a brain dump for the words that you have highlighted and note them down. Find a connection between these phrases and words. Develop a strategy to come up with your answer basedon these phrases.
How To Write a Good Law Essay?
The first thing to ensure is that you fully recognise the elements that all good essays share irrespective of the subject. Key components of a good essay. Whatever your subject or discipline, but crucial in a law essay are the following elements for an outstanding essay: Attention to detail and a focus on the question posed.
"Good Law" vs "Bad Law" Explained
Good Law and Bad Law Terminology. In the legal context, "good law" and "bad law" are anything but a subjective evaluation of a given law. If a proposition of law from a case is a valid, citable legal proposition in your jurisdiction, it is "good law.". Logically enough, if a proposition from a case is no longer a valid legal ...
How to Write a Law Essay: Step by Step Guide
How to Outline Arguments Logically and Coherently. Point, Evidence, Explanation: For each argument, state your point, back it with evidence, and explain its relevance. Logical Flow: Ensure each argument naturally leads to the next. Coherence: Make sure all parts of the essay work together to support the thesis.
How To Write a Law Essay
The first step in writing a law essay is to analyze and comprehend the issue. It is recommended to start by identifying the subject or subject matter of law. Once the topic has been identified, the writer has to analyze the issue from the legal area and comprehend what it is to be addressed in the body of the essay to answer the question.
How to Write a Law Essay Introduction (Law Lecturer's Guide)
Present the central argument. One of the most important aspects of your law essay that needs to be included in the introduction is the central argument, that is the point you will be trying to prove in your essay. Relying on simple vocabulary and phrasing, explain the central argument that you will be attempting to prove throughout your essay.
Writing a Law essay? Remember to argue!
There are no great secrets here: the formula is straightforward. You should begin your essay by stating your thesis — that is, by setting out what it is that you are going to argue. This should be done in your introductory paragraph — by the time the reader reaches the end of that paragraph, they should be in no doubt about what you are ...
How to Write a Good Law Essay?
The introduction should also provide a roadmap to a user by illustrating the structure used in a paper. A classic example of a law essay is the following: "The essay will be divided into four main sections. In section I, the essay will provide an in-depth understanding of …. Act.
Example Law Essays
The example law essays below were written by students to help you with your own studies. If you are looking for help with your law essay then we offer a comprehensive writing service provided by fully qualified academics in your field of study. Law Essay Writing Service.
The Legal Skills Hub
The Academic Phrasebank is a general resource for academic writers. It aims to provide you with examples of some of the phraseological 'nuts and bolts' of writing organised according to the main sections of a research paper or dissertation. This site, linked to University of Manchester, was created by John Morley.
How to Write a Law Essay Conclusion (Law Lecturer Reveals)
Your essay probably has around 3-5 headings. Depending on the length of your essay, you should write in this part of your conclusion between 1 and 3 sentences summarising each of the headings. So, if your essay is pretty short - let's say up to 1,500 words - and has three headings, you should include in your conclusion one sentence restating ...
Law School Personal Statement Tips
There are usually some subtle differences in what each school asks for in a personal statement. 2. Good writing is writing that is easily understood. Good law students—and good lawyers—use clear, direct prose. Remove extraneous words and make sure that your points are clear. Don't make admissions officers struggle to figure out what you are ...
Law School Personal Statement: The Ultimate Guide (Examples Included)
While many people applying to law school are already strong writers with backgrounds in the humanities, social sciences, public policy, or journalism, they often forget the components of good storytelling as soon as they sit down to write their essays. Remember that the tone of your law school essays isn't the same tone you'll use in a ...
What Makes a Good Law School Essay?
Make an effort to understand what makes the good examples work and what causes the poor examples to fall short. Try to model your own answers after the former, and avoid the mistakes of the latter. Ultimately, you will learn that the difference between a good analysis and an excellent one is subtle, but that the difference between a poor ...
16 Tips to Build a Strong Law School Application
Embrace your identity and life story. Law school applicants shouldn't try to fit into a stereotype based on what they assume is the usual profile among aspiring attorneys, Kuris wrote in a 2022 ...
Jurisprudence
In this essay, I will resolve the issue of what makes a good or bad law by examining the various theories, standards, perspectives by which people classify laws as bad or good. ... Second, what makes a good law is determined by where the law is emanating from, and this idea is postulated by a group of legal theorist called the Positivist. ...
How to Write a 'Why This Law School' Essay With Examples
For instance, if the law school has a special program where you can work directly with clients, and this lines up with your goal of getting hands-on legal experience, make sure to highlight this. The goal is to show a sincere and careful tie to the institution. 3. Create a Logical Flow.
Sample Law School Personal Statement Essays
This sample law school personal statement is about half the length of Essay 1 and concentrates on the author's post-college work experience. In its brevity and focus it's the mirror image of Law School Essay 1. The contrast between the two highlights the diversity that can work in law school essays.
How to write the perfect law essay? : r/Essays
A perfect essay has four parts. The first part is obviously the introduction, which does not need to be long. It should take up around 10% of the essay and should do two things. First, it gives the author's thesis. Your introduction must have a "thesis statement": a sentence or two saying "In this essay, I will argue…".
What Makes a Good Lawyer?
To be a good lawyer, you must have: A strong knowledge of the law. Good judgement and decision making skills. Research and analytical skills. Writing and comprehension skills. Good communication, public speaking and listening skills. Leadership and logical thinking skills. Good lawyers never stop learning and are proactive, not reactive.