William Bernhardt

Superior Legal Writing: Winning With Words

A Legal Writing CLE
William Bernhardt, New York Times bestselling author of more than twenty novels and a former trial lawyer, tells lawyers what they really need to know to succeed on the printed page, based upon personal experience and extensive interviews with judges and practitioners. Bernhardt takes participants through a practical and systematic consideration of the writing process, peppered with practical assignments based upon real world legal scenarios.

Superior Legal Drafting: Making Words Matter

A Legal Writing CLE
William Bernhardt, New York Times bestselling author and former attorney, applies the principles of superior legal writing to specific legal documents, such as briefs and other litigation documents, contracts, wills, trusts, correspondence, and even electronic communications such as email and texts.  Bernhardt uses onscreen "Before and After" examples to demonstrate how attention to language and the application of good writing principles can improve any lawyer's written work.
 

Registration Price: $299.00 or $479 for both courses. To register for one or more seminars, complete the “Legal Writing CLE Sign Up” box on the right.  After you click "Sign Up," you'll be taken to another page where you can pay either by PayPal or credit card.  If you prefer to register or pay by phone, call 405 683 2881.

About the CLEs

The greatest skill any lawyer can possess is the ability to write clearly, concisely, and convincingly. If a lawyer lacks solid writing ability, he or she risks losing motions and cases. This seminar introduces writing and editing techniques designed to maximize legal writing proficiency.

Bernhardt focuses on helping lawyers develop skills and strategies for communicating in a rapidly changing legal environment, with a special emphasis on the abilities needed to frame your case, present it persuasively–and win. Bernhardt covers common writing errors, the pitfalls of legalese, the importance of strategic issue-framing, capturing a reader's imagination (the best way to persuade), drafting briefs, memos, and client letters, building a bulletproof argument, giving your pleadings and briefs focus and direction, setting a winning tone from the first sentence, the critical importance of tight editing for clarity and impact, and creating a compelling story that best represents your client. Although the presentation is educational and illuminating, Bernhardt always keeps it lively, never boring.

All examples are graphically illustrated on PowerPoint. The attendees will be asked to work on the displayed exercises so they can see legal writing evolve from the typical to the superior. This technique allows participants to readily grasp the point and leave the seminar ready to implement these winning techniques.

This seminar also contains an optional section concentrating on ethical issues relating to legal writing, techniques for becoming a fair advocate that judges trust and rely upon while using the written word to its maximum potential. The topics addressed will include: how to write an ethical brief, avoiding ethical lapses that alienate judges, eliminating ineffectual barbs and derogatory comments and replacing them with persuasive, winning arguments. The ultimate irony of ethical writing is that the more fair you make your brief, the more likely you are to prevail.

COMMENTS FROM LAWTERS ATTENDING WILLIAM BERNHARDT'S SEMINARS:

“Bernhardt’s humor, expertise, passion, and respect for the art of writing was exceptional. He was welcoming, heartfelt, genuinely supportive, and
instructive.” –Wichita

“As a result of attending this CLE, I felt my writing improve the very next day.” –Idaho Falls

“Bernhardt obviously knows his stuff. He is very clear, to the point, and as a bonus, very entertaining.” –Little Rock

“This is the best CLE I have ever attended!” –Seattle

“After attending myself, I instructed every associate in my firm to attend Mr. Bernhardt’s CLE as soon as possible.” –Albuquerque
           
Are you a Director of Educational Program or CLEs? Click here for a Personal Letter from William Bernhardt

"Writing is a difficult topic to make interesting, much less interesting for an entire day. Author/attorney William Bernhardt addressed the topic with enthusiasm and extraordinary competence. Mr. Bernhardt exceeded my expectations and almost uniformly received the highest marks possible from our program registrants." –Donita Douglas, Director of Educational Programs, Oklahoma Bar Association

"Washington State Bar Association CLE has already used William Bernhardt for two seminars and looks forward to bringing him back for a return engagement in the future. [Bernhardt's CLEs] were very well received, garnering evalutaion form comments such as "Excellent instructor--Wow!," "Delightful, inspiring, and informative," and "Outstanding--presentation and written materials first class." --John M. Redenbaugh, Senior Conference and Seminar Development Specialist, Washington State Bar


Forthcoming Programs

Little Rock, Arkansas

Monday, May 14, 2012 – 8:30am – 3:30pm
SUPERIOR LEGAL WRITING: WINNING WITH WORDS
Approved by the Arkansas CLE Board for 4.5 hours General and 1 hour Ethics
Registration fee $299.00

Tuesday, May 15, 2012 – 8:30am – 3:30pm
SUPERIOR LEGAL DRAFTING: EVERY WORD MATTERS
Approved by the Arkansas CLE Board for 4.5 hours General and 1 hour Ethics
Registration fee $299.00

Courtyard by Marriott Downtown Little Rock
521 President Clinton Ave.
Little Rock, AR 72201

Registration Price: $299.00 or $479 for both courses. To register for one or more seminars, complete the “Legal Writing CLE Sign Up” box on the upper right of this page.  After you click "Sign Up," you'll be taken to another page where you can pay either by PayPal or credit card.  If you prefer to register or pay by phone, call 405 683 2881.


Salt Lake City, Utah

Thursday, May 17, 2012 – 8:30am – 3:30pm
SUPERIOR LEGAL WRITING: WINNING WITH WORDS
Approved by the Utah State Board of CLE for 4.5 hours CLE Credits including .5 hour Ethics
Registration fee $299.00

Friday, May 18, 2012 – 8:30am – 3:30pm

SUPERIOR LEGAL DRAFTING: EVERY WORD MATTERS
Approved by the Utah State Board of CLE for 5  hours CLE Credits including .5 hour Ethics
Registration fee $299.00

Sheraton Salt Lake City Hotel
150 West 500 South
Salt Lake City, UT 84101

Registration Price: $299.00 or $479 for both courses. To register for one or more seminars, complete the “Legal Writing CLE Sign Up” box on the upper right of this page.  After you click "Sign Up," you'll be taken to another page where you can pay either by PayPal or credit card.  If you prefer to register or pay by phone, call 405 683 2881.



Jackson, Mississippi

Thursday, May 24, 2012 – 8:30am – 3:30pm
SUPERIOR LEGAL WRITING: WINNING WITH WORDS
Approved by the Mississippi Commission on CLE for 5.5 hours Credits including 1 hour Ethics
Registration fee $299.00

Friday, May 25, 2012 – 8:30am – 3:30pm

SUPERIOR LEGAL DRAFTING: EVERY WORD MATTERS
Approved by the Mississippi Commission on CLE for 5.5 hours Credits including 1 hour Ethics
Registration fee $299.00

The Fairview Inn
734 Fairview Street
Jackson, MS 39202
 

Registration Price: $299.00 or $479 for both courses. To register for one or more seminars, complete the “Legal Writing CLE Sign Up” box on the upper right of this page.  After you click "Sign Up," you'll be taken to another page where you can pay either by PayPal or credit card.  If you prefer to register or pay by phone, call 405 683 2881.