In the competitive legal job market, your writing sample can be just as important as your résumé and interview performance. Whether you're applying for a law firm, judicial clerkship, government internship, or public interest position, employers use writing samples to assess your analytical ability, clarity of thought, legal reasoning, and attention to detail.
But what makes a legal writing sample actually impressive—and what turns employers off? This guide walks you through what legal employers want to see, how to choose and refine your sample, and what mistakes to avoid.
What Employers Look for in a Legal Writing Sample
A legal writing sample is more than just an assignment—it’s a direct reflection of your legal thinking, communication skills, and professionalism. Employers use it to gauge how well you’ll perform in a real-world legal setting. Here’s what they’re looking for:
1. Clear and Logical Legal Reasoning
Employers want to see that you can:- Identify and frame legal issues accurately
- Apply relevant case law and statutes effectively
- Draw well-supported, reasoned conclusions
2. Structured, Organized Analysis
Strong legal writing follows a logical, easy-to-follow format. Your sample should:- Introduce the issue or legal question clearly
- Follow IRAC or CREAC structure
- Include smooth transitions and section headings when appropriate
3. Concise, Precise Language
Effective legal writing is sharp and to the point. Your sample should:- Use clear, straightforward sentence structures
- Avoid unnecessary words or legalese
- Focus on substance over style
4. Professional and Objective Tone
A polished tone demonstrates judgment and maturity. Your writing sample should:- Avoid casual language or personal opinions (unless it’s a persuasive piece)
- Maintain objectivity and formality
- Match the tone to the document type (e.g., memo vs. brief)
5. Accurate and Consistent Citations
Proper citation format is expected in legal writing. Your sample should:- Follow Bluebook or ALWD standards consistently
- Use appropriate citation signals
- Avoid formatting errors and inconsistencies
6. Attention to Detail
Even small mistakes can undermine your credibility. Your writing should be:- Free of typos, grammar mistakes, and formatting issues
- Cleanly designed with professional spacing and layout
- Proofread multiple times before submission
7. Evidence of Independence
Employers want to evaluate your individual writing ability. Your sample should:- Be your own work with minimal outside editing
- Avoid group-authored pieces or overly professor-revised documents
- Clearly indicate authorship on the cover page if applicable
8. Alignment with the Role or Practice Area (Bonus)
If possible, use a sample that reflects the employer’s practice area. For example:- A litigation sample for a trial firm
- A memo on regulatory issues for a government agency
- A well-reasoned argument for a clerkship application
How to Choose the Right Legal Writing Sample
Selecting the right legal writing sample is critical to making a strong impression. The ideal sample should reflect your current legal skill level, demonstrate independent reasoning, and be directly relevant to the type of work the employer does.
Key guidelines:
- Choose your strongest, most recent legal writing—typically a memo or brief from 1L legal writing class, moot court, or an internship.
- Ensure it’s primarily your work, not heavily edited by professors or supervisors.
- Select writing that showcases legal analysis, not just summaries of facts or statutes.
- Tailor your sample to the employer’s focus when possible (e.g., a persuasive brief for a litigation firm).
- Keep it to 5–10 pages, excerpting a longer piece if necessary and including a short cover note for context.
How to Polish and Prepare Your Writing Sample
Here’s how to polish and package your writing sample for maximum impact:
1. Add a Professional Cover Page or Introductory Paragraph
Many employers appreciate a brief cover page or note that provides essential context. This is especially important if:- The sample is an excerpt from a longer document
- The piece was created for a class, internship, or clinic
- You had to redact or modify any information
- Title (e.g., “Writing Sample”)
- A short paragraph explaining the assignment or context
- Date of authorship
- Clarify whether the writing is unedited or if feedback was incorporated
- Note any redactions for confidentiality
2. Proofread and Edit Thoroughly
Even a single typo can suggest a lack of attention to detail—something no law firm or judge wants in a new hire.Check for:
- Grammar and spelling errors
- Proper punctuation
- Consistent formatting (fonts, spacing, margins)
- Bluebook or ALWD citation accuracy
- Proper heading structure and clarity
3. Redact Confidential Information Properly
If your sample is from a legal internship or externship, it may contain confidential or privileged information.Steps to take:
- Remove client names, identifying facts, or proprietary data
- Replace them with generic placeholders (e.g., “[Client]” or “[Name Redacted]”)
- Clearly note in the cover page that redactions were made for privacy
4. Format It Cleanly and Professionally
Your writing sample should look just as polished as your resume.Formatting tips:
- Use a standard, readable font (e.g., Times New Roman, 11–12 pt)
- Keep margins at 1 inch
- Use consistent line spacing (double-spaced is standard unless it’s a brief)
- Number your pages
- Use headings and subheadings if they improve clarity
5. Stay Within the Preferred Length
Most employers expect a writing sample to be 5–10 pages long. If your best work is longer:- Choose the strongest section as an excerpt
- Use the cover page to explain that it's an excerpt from a longer piece
- Ensure the excerpt still contains a complete and logical argument or analysis
6. Name Your File Professionally
Use a clear, professional file name, such as:Firstname_Lastname_WritingSample.pdf
Avoid vague or generic names like “writingfinal3.docx.”
Taking the time to polish your writing sample shows employers that you care about quality, professionalism, and client-ready work—skills that are essential in any legal role.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even the most well-written legal memo or brief can fall flat if it’s presented poorly or riddled with avoidable errors. Hiring attorneys and legal recruiters often review dozens of writing samples in a short time, and small mistakes can be the difference between getting an interview or getting passed over. Avoid these common pitfalls to ensure your writing sample represents your best work:
1. Submitting a Sample Without Context
Many students forget to include a cover page or explanation. Without context, the employer won’t know:- What the assignment was
- Whether the sample is an excerpt or a full document
- If it’s a graded or edited piece
- If you’ve redacted sensitive information
2. Choosing a Sample That’s Too Long or Too Short
Too-long samples may overwhelm busy reviewers, while too-short samples can look incomplete or lacking in substance.Fix:
- Aim for 5–10 double-spaced pages
- If your best piece is longer, excerpt the strongest section and explain the cut
- If it’s shorter than 5 pages, consider pairing it with a second (short) sample, if allowed
3. Using Heavily Edited or Group-Authored Work
Your sample should reflect your writing ability. Work that’s been substantially revised by a professor, supervisor, or team doesn’t provide an accurate picture of your skills.Fix: Choose a piece that is primarily your own, with minimal outside input. If edits were made, disclose that briefly in the introduction.
4. Submitting Unpolished or Unedited Work
Typos, grammar mistakes, and citation errors can create a bad first impression—even if your legal reasoning is strong.Fix:
- Proofread multiple times
- Use spell check, but don’t rely on it exclusively
- Check for consistent formatting, spacing, and font usage
- Review citations with a Bluebook or ALWD guide
5. Poor Formatting or Presentation
Sloppy formatting can distract from your content and signal a lack of attention to detail.Fix:
- Use standard fonts (Times New Roman, 11–12 pt)
- Ensure 1-inch margins and consistent spacing
- Save and send the document as a clean PDF
- Add page numbers and your name in the header or footer
6. Choosing an Irrelevant Sample
Some students submit academic essays, policy papers, or non-legal writing samples. These don’t demonstrate your legal reasoning skills.Fix: Always submit a legal memo, brief, or research assignment that shows how you analyze and apply the law. If it can connect to the employer’s practice area, even better.
7. Failing to Redact Confidential Information
Internship or clinic work often involves sensitive client details. Submitting unredacted documents may violate confidentiality rules—and look careless.Fix:
- Remove names, case numbers, and other identifying details
- Use clean placeholder text (e.g., [Client Name], [Redacted])
- Mention the redactions on your cover page
8. Outdated or Irrelevant Legal Authority
If your sample relies on old or superseded case law, especially in fast-changing areas (like administrative or tech law), it may reflect poorly on your currency with legal developments. For attorneys looking to develop beyond the technical side of writing, Insights into Thriving in Law Firm Environments explores the soft skills and internal strategies that define long-term success in firm life.Fix:
- Use a recent writing sample when possible
- If the sample is older, clarify that it was written during a specific academic term
Avoiding these common mistakes will help ensure your writing sample does what it’s meant to do—prove you're ready for real-world legal work.
Bonus: What to Include in a Writing Sample Header
If you’re not using a full cover page, a simple and professional header at the top of your writing sample ensures the document is clearly identified and looks polished.
Your header should include:
- Your full name (e.g., Jordan Lee)
- “Writing Sample” as a clear label
- Date (month and year of authorship or submission)
- Context (optional but helpful — e.g., Legal Research & Writing Memorandum, Fall 2024)
Jordan Lee
Writing Sample
Drafted: November 2024
Legal Memo – 1L Research & Writing Course
This clean format helps employers understand what they’re reviewing at a glance—and reinforces your professionalism.
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Final Thoughts: Let Your Legal Writing Speak for You
A strong legal writing sample can separate you from equally qualified candidates. It proves that you can think clearly, write persuasively, and communicate like a professional. Choose thoughtfully, edit thoroughly, and always tailor your sample to the job at hand. Strong writing often mirrors a lawyer’s ability to thrive within a law firm’s demanding structure—Insights into Thriving in Law Firm Environments expands on how to channel these skills into long-term success.
