Law Practice
Feb. 21, 2018
21 tips for lawyers to make better 2nd drafts
My freshman year political science professor often quoted Ernest Hemingway's maxim that "the first draft of anything is sh**."
Matt Sonne
Partner
Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP
Matt previously worked in the White House as a writer for President Clinton.
Scott Sonne
Arizona State University School of LawScott spent his law career with Luce Forward Hamilton & Scripps LLP. He teaches insurance law at Arizona State University School of Law.
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My freshman year political science professor often quoted Ernest Hemingway's maxim that "the first draft of anything is sh**." While I never forgot it, learning how the second and third drafts could improve on the first took much longer. The following are a few techniques you might employ:
1. Eliminate needless words. This is at the heart of good writing. Make a habit of going throug...
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