--- title: What’s In Your Legal Writing Reference Library? description: From universal rules and styles to advice that will change your process and your results, here are 7 books to make your legal writing better. image: https://www.wordrake.com/hubfs/legal%20library.png --- #### WordRake is joining BriefCatch. Discover how BriefCatch Next builds on WordRake’s trusted editing technology — and what this means for WordRake customers. [Learn about the transition →](https://www.briefcatch.com/wordrake) [![logo](https://www.wordrake.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported%20images/logo.png?width=285&height=18&name=logo.png)](https://www.wordrake.com/) Edit for brevity & simplicity in Microsoft Word & Outlook - [Buy](https://www.wordrake.com/writing-improvement-software-buy) - [Software](https://www.wordrake.com/software) - [About](https://www.wordrake.com/editing-software-for-writing-professionals) - [Reviews](https://www.wordrake.com/reviews) - [Writing Tips](https://www.wordrake.com/writing-tips/writing-tips-listing-page) - [Resources](https://www.wordrake.com/resources) - [Support](https://www.wordrake.com/editing-software-help) # What’s In Your Legal Writing Reference Library? ![](https://www.wordrake.com/hubfs/legal%20library.png) Your legal writing reference library should include more than the five standards: the *Bluebook*, the *Redbook: A Manual on Legal Style*, *A Manual of Style for Contract Drafting*, Garner’s *Dictionary of Legal Usage*, and *Black’s Law Dictionary*. There’s more to writing than mechanics and accurate definitions, and these books prove it. From universal rules and styles to advice that will change your process *and* your results, here are seven books (in no particular order) to make your writing better. ## 1. [The Lawyer's Editing Manual](https://www.amazon.com/Lawyers-Editing-Manual-Joan-Magat/dp/1594605386) By Joan Ames Magat (125 pages, Carolina Academic Press, 2009) The most well-known manual for lawyers is the [*Bluebook: A Uniform System of Citation*](https://www.legalbluebook.com/), which does not address effective legal writing or analysis. Author Joan Ames Magat recognized that gap and created *The Lawyer’s Editing Manual* to fill it. It covers effective use of quotations, grammar, punctuation, usage, and style. In this manual, Magat gets into the details of word choice and modifier placement to avoid ambiguity, structure sentences and paragraphs effectively, and improve conciseness and consistency. Magat is a law professor at Duke Law School and the general editor for the *Law & Contemporary Problems Journal*. Magat is known for her academic article “[Bottomheavy: Legal Footnotes](https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1516307).” ## 2. [The Lawyer's Guide to Writing Well](https://www.amazon.com/Lawyers-Guide-Writing-Well/dp/0520288432/) By Tom Goldstein and Jethro K. Lieberman (296 pages, University of California Press, 2016) The *Lawyer's Guide to Writing Well* presents direct and sensible legal writing advice supported by clear reasoning and research. Besides offering straightforward writing advice, the authors analyze the causes of poor legal writing and address its consequences. In this guide, you’ll find advice for writing concisely and persuasively, an editing checklist and revision exercises to test your understanding, and effective strategies to improve your writing. Author Tom Goldstein is a journalism professor at UC Berkeley and Jethro K. Lieberman is a law professor at New York Law School. Lieberman is also the author of 25 other books, including *The Litigious Society*. ## 3. [Plain English for Lawyers](https://www.amazon.com/Plain-English-Lawyers-Richard-Wydick/dp/153100699X/) By Richard C. Wydick and Amy E. Sloan (162 pages, Carolina Academic Press, 2019) *Plain English for Lawyers* is a short, quick book, written in the style it means to teach: plain English. It’s clear, concise, and practical—and even clever. Though the authors address grammar rules, the emphasis is on how the writer must work to understand the material so she may write in plain language to benefit the reader. In January 2005, co-author Richard C. Wydick received the Golden Pen Award for this book from the Legal Writing Institute. Wydick was a law professor at UC Davis for 32 years. Co-author Amy E. Sloan is a law professor at the University of Baltimore and joined the team to update the book in its sixth edition. ## Get an in-house editor at your fingertips for 40 cents a day. WordRake editing software is a second pair of eyes to help polish your writing. [![Polish your writing. It’s easy.](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/3365575/50912ac6-d2ef-489d-b0ec-b2f0a2c6ed08.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/3365575/50912ac6-d2ef-489d-b0ec-b2f0a2c6ed08) ![businesswoman-on-pc-desktop-mockup-template](https://www.wordrake.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Version%205.0%20Realistic%20Mockups/businesswoman-on-pc-desktop-mockup-template.png?width=1920&height=1440&name=businesswoman-on-pc-desktop-mockup-template.png) ## 4. [Legal Writing Nerd: Be One](https://www.amazon.com/Legal-Writing-Nerd-Wayne-Schiess/dp/1505594170/) By Wayne Schiess (162 pages, CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2018) *Legal Writing Nerd: Be One* grew out of author Wayne Schiess's monthly column on legal writing. This book is a curated collection of his best columns in one practical guide. Though it can be a reference manual, readers can also enjoy *Legal Writing Nerd* like a novel. Schiess’s chapters on professionalism and plain language make great points in an accessible and friendly tone so they’re a joy to read again and again. Schiess is a legal writing professor at the University of Texas School of Law, and he was recognized by the Center for Plain Language in 2010. He’s also the author of four other books, including *Plain Legal Writing: Do It* and *Writing for Litigation* (co-authored with Kamela Bridges). ## 5. [Plain Language Legal Writing](http://www.lulu.com/us/en/shop/cheryl-stephens/plain-language-legal-writing/paperback/product-4767079.html) By Cheryl Stephens (152 pages, Lulu.com, 2009) The author’s brand is Plain Language Wizardry™ and this book delivers the magic—while making it all seem natural. Rather than an opaque list of commands, *Plain Language Legal Writing* is a guide to clear and understandable writing filled with traditional and revised writing examples with instructions on how to achieve those results. Author Cheryl Stephens emphasizes the importance of writing as communication, which requires writers to know what message they want to deliver. The book is divided into four parts, each with a different focus: clarity and organization; issues with traditional legal writing; formatting and presentation options; and resources and references. Stephens is a plain language advocate, the co-founder of the Plain Language Association International, and a former practicing lawyer. ## 6. [Grammar, Punctuation, and Style: A Quick Guide for Lawyers and Other Writers](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0314288074/) By Deborah E. Cupples and Margaret Temple-Smith (157 pages, West Academic Publishing, 2013) *Grammar, Punctuation, and Style: A Quick Guide for Lawyers and Other Writers* is an accessible writing guide that is generally useful, but specifically designed for lawyers. Acknowledging that this book will be used as a reference -- rather than read straight through like a novel -- means the easy-to-use index is a key feature. The book includes exercises to test your understanding of the rules and includes answers with explanations. Authors Deborah E. Cupples and Margaret Temple-Smith are both professors at University of Florida, Levin College of Law. ## 7. [How to Write a Sentence: And How to Read One](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/006184053X/) By Stanley Fish (176 pages, Harper Collins, 2011) One of the first sentences author Stanley Fish discusses in this book comes from the significant school-prayer case, *Lee v. Weisman* (1992). It’s a scathing line from Scalia’s dissent—it’s penetrating and memorable. Fish spends the rest of the book exploring and explaining how sentences like this are built and why they move us. It’s a strategic approach to writing focused on the smallest building blocks of meaning. Fish is a law professor at Florida International University, a *New York Times* best-selling author, and the author of more than 10 other books. ## Looking for More Legal Writing Help? Sign up [here](https://www.wordrake.com/writing-tips/writing-tips-listing-page) to receive weekly writing tips from WordRake founder and legal writing expert Gary Kinder. And check out WordRake’s eBooks about legal writing: - [How to Write the Perfect Memorandum](https://www.wordrake.com/perfect_memo_sr) - [How to Write the Perfect Brief](https://www.wordrake.com/perfect_brief) ## Looking for Help Formatting Legal Documents? Check out: - [The Lawyer's Guide to Microsoft Word 2013](https://www.americanbar.org/products/inv/book/187195405/) by Ben M. Schorr - [Formatting Legal Documents with Microsoft Word 2016](https://www.amazon.com/Formatting-Legal-Documents-Microsoft-Word/dp/0692631666) by Jan Berinstein, Ph.D. - [Wildcard Cookbook for Microsoft Word](https://www.amazon.com/Wildcard-Cookbook-Microsoft-Word-Jack/dp/1434103986) by Jack Lyon ## Conclusion Becoming a great legal writer is an ongoing process. With more approaches, examples, and explanations, you’ll have more opportunities to find an approach that works for you. So try expanding your legal writing reference library to include some of these books. When you’re ready to take the next step, let [WordRake](https://www.wordrake.com/writing-improvement-software) help you tighten and tone your legal writing at the push of a button. WordRake uses complex, patented algorithms to find legalese, wordy phrases, redundancies, unnecessary modifiers, and more. Then it presents its suggestions to you in the familiar track-changes style. It can make any document clearer and shorter. [Try WordRake](https://www.wordrake.com/trial) free for seven days! ## About the Author Ivy B. Grey is the Chief Strategy & Growth Officer for WordRake. Prior to joining the team, she practiced bankruptcy law for ten years. In 2020, Ivy was recognized as an Influential Woman in Legal Tech by ILTA. She has also been recognized as a Fastcase 50 Honoree and included in the Women of Legal Tech list by the ABA Legal Technology Resource Center. Follow Ivy on Twitter [@IvyBGrey](https://twitter.com/IvyBGrey) or connect with her on [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivybgrey/). ## Get an in-house editor at your fingertips for 40 cents a day. WordRake editing software is a second pair of eyes to help polish your writing. [![Polish your writing. It’s easy.](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/3365575/50912ac6-d2ef-489d-b0ec-b2f0a2c6ed08.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/3365575/50912ac6-d2ef-489d-b0ec-b2f0a2c6ed08) [Ethically Meeting Word and Page Limits](https://www.wordrake.com/resources/ethically-meeting-word-and-page-limits) [What’s In Your Business Writing Library?](https://www.wordrake.com/resources/whats-in-your-business-writing-library) - - - ### [Improve Your Writing with WordRake Try this revolutionary editing software free for 7 days. Now available for Mac or Windows.](https://www.wordrake.com/) [Try Free for 7 Days](https://www.wordrake.com/trial/) ### Related Posts [![How to Write the Perfect Brief](https://www.wordrake.com/hubfs/Perfect%20Brief-1.png)](https://www.wordrake.com/hubfs/How%20to%20Write%20the%20Perfect%20Brief.pdf) [In-depth eBook Helps You Write the Perfect Brief](https://www.wordrake.com/hubfs/How%20to%20Write%20the%20Perfect%20Brief.pdf) [![16 Legal Writing Pros to Follow on Twitter](https://www.wordrake.com/hubfs/Legal%20pros%20twitter.png)](https://www.wordrake.com/blog/16-legal-writing-pros-to-follow-on-twitter) [16 Legal Writing Pros to Follow on Twitter](https://www.wordrake.com/blog/16-legal-writing-pros-to-follow-on-twitter) ### Learn More [An Interview with Managing Editor Craig Clarke](https://www.wordrake.com/resources/interview-with-managing-editor-craig-clarke) [An Interview with Nonfiction Book Coach Anne Janzer](https://www.wordrake.com/resources/an-interview-with-nonfiction-book-coach-anne-janzer) [An Interview with Medical Writing Consultant Crystal Herron](https://www.wordrake.com/resources/interview-with-medical-writing-consultant-crystal-herron) [Roy G. Taylor, Ph.D.: A Law Enforcement Expert Witness Interview](https://www.wordrake.com/resources/roy-g-taylor-law-enforcement-expert-witness-interview) [Douglas Seemann, BCE: An Interview with an Entomology Expert Witness](https://www.wordrake.com/resources/douglas-seemann-interview-entomology-expert-witness) [Thomas J. Zaydon, MD, FACS: A Plastic Surgery Expert Witness Interview](https://www.wordrake.com/resources/dr-thomas-j-zaydon-plastic-surgery-expert-witness-interview) **[See All Posts](https://www.wordrake.com/article-listings)** Search this site on Google Search Google ### Our Story ![demo_poster_play](https://www.wordrake.com/hs-fs/hubfs/demo_poster_play.png?width=260&height=120&name=demo_poster_play.png) WordRake founder Gary Kinder has taught over 1,000 writing programs for AMLAW 100 firms, Fortune 500 companies, and government agencies. He’s also a *New York Times* bestselling author. As a writing expert and coach, Gary was inspired to create WordRake when he noticed a pattern in writing errors that he thought he could address with technology. In 2012, Gary and his team of engineers created WordRake editing software to help writers produce clear, concise, and effective prose. It runs in Microsoft Word and Outlook, and its suggested changes appear in the familiar track-changes style. It saves time and gives confidence. Writing and editing has never been easier. ×   © 2026 WordRake, LLC. 8415 154th Avenue NE,  Suite 200, Redmond, WA 98052. All rights reserved. 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