Ryan McCarl
@ryanmccarl.bsky.social
Author of Elegant Legal Writing (Book: bit.ly/elw-book | Blog: elegantlegalwriting.com) and founding partner of litigation firm Rushing McCarl LLP (rushingmccarl.com). I’m mainly on LinkedIn and elsewhere: linktr.ee/ryanmccarl
Excellent writing skills will continue to distinguish elite attorneys even in the age of AI. Here are a few reasons why. www.elegantlegalwriting.com/p/ai-cannot-... #legalwriting
AI cannot replace legal-writing expertise.
Legal writing skills will continue to differentiate the best attorneys in the age of AI.
www.elegantlegalwriting.com
June 25, 2025 at 8:19 PM
Excellent writing skills will continue to distinguish elite attorneys even in the age of AI. Here are a few reasons why. www.elegantlegalwriting.com/p/ai-cannot-... #legalwriting
Reposted by Ryan McCarl
Always write substantive conclusions in legal briefs. Don't waste opportunities to persuade a judge by concluding litigation briefs with contentless ritual phrases. open.substack.com/pub/elegantl...
Always write substantive conclusions in legal briefs.
Don't waste opportunities to persuade a judge by concluding litigation briefs with a contentless ritual phrase.
open.substack.com
January 23, 2024 at 6:42 PM
Always write substantive conclusions in legal briefs. Don't waste opportunities to persuade a judge by concluding litigation briefs with contentless ritual phrases. open.substack.com/pub/elegantl...
Reposted by Ryan McCarl
Instead of telling the judge or jury what the evidence shows, show them the evidence and help them draw appropriate inferences from that evidence. #law #legalwriting #litigation #trials open.substack.com/pub/elegantl...
Persuade judges with visual aids showing salient evidence.
Instead of telling judges and juries what the evidence shows, show them the evidence and help them draw appropriate inferences from that evidence.
open.substack.com
January 18, 2024 at 10:16 PM
Instead of telling the judge or jury what the evidence shows, show them the evidence and help them draw appropriate inferences from that evidence. #law #legalwriting #litigation #trials open.substack.com/pub/elegantl...
Reposted by Ryan McCarl
Rubio’s position seems to be:
- We get to say who is a terrorist. Our decision is final. It can’t be challenged. Just trust us.
- Once we decide you are a terrorist, we can immediately deport you. No judges.
- After we deport you, we can make you rot in a foreign prison. No criminal charges needed.
- We get to say who is a terrorist. Our decision is final. It can’t be challenged. Just trust us.
- Once we decide you are a terrorist, we can immediately deport you. No judges.
- After we deport you, we can make you rot in a foreign prison. No criminal charges needed.
On Hugh Hewitt’s show, Marco Rubio says El Salvador is “housing” people sent by the US. But he never says on what possible legal authority? These people haven’t committed any crime in El Salvador and by their own admission “many” have never committed a crime in the US. It all seems entirely lawless.
March 20, 2025 at 3:23 AM
Rubio’s position seems to be:
- We get to say who is a terrorist. Our decision is final. It can’t be challenged. Just trust us.
- Once we decide you are a terrorist, we can immediately deport you. No judges.
- After we deport you, we can make you rot in a foreign prison. No criminal charges needed.
- We get to say who is a terrorist. Our decision is final. It can’t be challenged. Just trust us.
- Once we decide you are a terrorist, we can immediately deport you. No judges.
- After we deport you, we can make you rot in a foreign prison. No criminal charges needed.
Reposted by Ryan McCarl
I came across a new book on legal writing, and it has been wonderful so far. As @ryanmccarl.bsky.social says in the book, "writing skills can be taught and learned," and I love reading good books on the subject. No matter how far my writing progresses, it can always improve.
February 12, 2025 at 2:51 PM
I came across a new book on legal writing, and it has been wonderful so far. As @ryanmccarl.bsky.social says in the book, "writing skills can be taught and learned," and I love reading good books on the subject. No matter how far my writing progresses, it can always improve.
Have you ever heard about dictators seizing power and assumed America is different — that we’re a free country and it can’t happen here? It’s happening. Americans are on the brink of losing their constitutional democracy. secondstage.substack.com/p/this-is-ho... #law #politics
This is how liberty ends
Americans are on the verge of forfeiting their constitutional democracy.
secondstage.substack.com
March 19, 2025 at 12:34 AM
Have you ever heard about dictators seizing power and assumed America is different — that we’re a free country and it can’t happen here? It’s happening. Americans are on the brink of losing their constitutional democracy. secondstage.substack.com/p/this-is-ho... #law #politics
Reposted by Ryan McCarl
1/🧵 Judges across ideological lines are ruling against Trump at strikingly similar rates (84% liberal, 86% centrist, 82% conservative). This isn't partisan opposition to Trump—it's the judiciary functioning as intended by cutting across partisan lines to uphold the Constitution.
March 18, 2025 at 9:32 PM
1/🧵 Judges across ideological lines are ruling against Trump at strikingly similar rates (84% liberal, 86% centrist, 82% conservative). This isn't partisan opposition to Trump—it's the judiciary functioning as intended by cutting across partisan lines to uphold the Constitution.
There’s nothing either conservative or liberal about officials flouting their oath to uphold the constitution and working to unravel our liberal democracy. It’s time to speak up and resist. #law
apnews.com/article/trum...
apnews.com/article/trum...
Trump administration deports hundreds of immigrants even as a judge orders their removals be stopped
The Trump administration has transferred hundreds of immigrants to El Salvador even as a federal judge issued an order temporarily barring the deportations under an 18th century wartime declaration ta...
apnews.com
March 16, 2025 at 7:31 PM
There’s nothing either conservative or liberal about officials flouting their oath to uphold the constitution and working to unravel our liberal democracy. It’s time to speak up and resist. #law
apnews.com/article/trum...
apnews.com/article/trum...
I gave a presentation to undergraduates at USC yesterday. This post shares the slideshow I used, which contains practical writing tips that are equally useful for nonlawyers, and a handout I distribute whenever I talk with college students. www.elegantlegalwriting.com/p/writing-ti... #legalwriting
Tips for undergraduates on writing, learning, and life
Here are some practical writing tips that are equally useful for nonlawyers, plus a handout I distribute whenever I get a chance to present to college students.
www.elegantlegalwriting.com
February 20, 2025 at 7:41 PM
I gave a presentation to undergraduates at USC yesterday. This post shares the slideshow I used, which contains practical writing tips that are equally useful for nonlawyers, and a handout I distribute whenever I talk with college students. www.elegantlegalwriting.com/p/writing-ti... #legalwriting
I always appreciate it when people help me spread the word about Elegant Legal Writing so more attorneys and law students discover it. #legalwriting #lawyers #law
I came across a new book on legal writing, and it has been wonderful so far. As @ryanmccarl.bsky.social says in the book, "writing skills can be taught and learned," and I love reading good books on the subject. No matter how far my writing progresses, it can always improve.
February 18, 2025 at 2:01 AM
I always appreciate it when people help me spread the word about Elegant Legal Writing so more attorneys and law students discover it. #legalwriting #lawyers #law
Reading literary prose can refresh your mind and improve your writing by exposing you to fresh language, new ideas, and unfamiliar vocabulary. #legalwriting #law #writing #books
Read widely to tune your ear for language
Reading literary prose can refresh your mind and improve your writing by exposing you to fresh language, new ideas, and unfamiliar vocabulary.
www.elegantlegalwriting.com
January 23, 2025 at 3:52 AM
Reading literary prose can refresh your mind and improve your writing by exposing you to fresh language, new ideas, and unfamiliar vocabulary. #legalwriting #law #writing #books
Use executive summaries in litigation briefs. This design move helps ensure that judges won’t overlook your best argument. open.substack.com/pub/elegantl... #legalwriting #law #lawyers
Use executive summaries in litigation briefs
Use this design move to ensure judges don’t overlook your best argument.
open.substack.com
December 17, 2024 at 7:35 PM
Use executive summaries in litigation briefs. This design move helps ensure that judges won’t overlook your best argument. open.substack.com/pub/elegantl... #legalwriting #law #lawyers
Reposted by Ryan McCarl
I have a joke about a Bivens remedy, but you wouldn’t get it.
I have a res judicata joke, but you’ve probably already heard it
I have a joke about consideration, but you have to tell me one too
December 4, 2024 at 2:46 AM
I have a joke about a Bivens remedy, but you wouldn’t get it.
Reposted by Ryan McCarl
Reply briefs are essential advocacy tools in pretrial motions and appeals. Here are some strategies for making the most of your last opportunity to persuade the judge before your motion or appeal is heard. open.substack.com/pub/elegantl...
How to write great reply briefs
Reply briefs are essential in motion and appellate practice. Here are some strategies to help you make the most of your last opportunity to persuade the judge before your motion is heard.
open.substack.com
February 28, 2024 at 9:13 PM
Reply briefs are essential advocacy tools in pretrial motions and appeals. Here are some strategies for making the most of your last opportunity to persuade the judge before your motion or appeal is heard. open.substack.com/pub/elegantl...
I'm giving a free webinar hosted by Justia today: "Logic for Lawyers: Crafting Persuasive Legal Arguments." Friday, July 12 at 2pm EST / 11 am PST.
Here's a link: connect.justia.com/webinars/log...
#lawyers #legalwriting #lawschool #law
Here's a link: connect.justia.com/webinars/log...
#lawyers #legalwriting #lawschool #law
Logic for Lawyers: Crafting Persuasive Legal Arguments | Justia Webinars | Justia Connect
Click to watch our Justia Webinar: Logic for Lawyers: Crafting Persuasive Legal Arguments. Justia Webinars are exclusive learning opportunities developed for members of the Justia Connect community.
connect.justia.com
July 12, 2024 at 9:10 AM
I'm giving a free webinar hosted by Justia today: "Logic for Lawyers: Crafting Persuasive Legal Arguments." Friday, July 12 at 2pm EST / 11 am PST.
Here's a link: connect.justia.com/webinars/log...
#lawyers #legalwriting #lawschool #law
Here's a link: connect.justia.com/webinars/log...
#lawyers #legalwriting #lawschool #law
The main difference between experts and novices is that the former have vastly broader, more detailed, and more accurate mental models. Anything that can help you build those models is worth doing; gradually fill in the blanks and map the terrain you hope to master.
#education #lawschool #learning
#education #lawschool #learning
May 24, 2024 at 6:09 PM
The main difference between experts and novices is that the former have vastly broader, more detailed, and more accurate mental models. Anything that can help you build those models is worth doing; gradually fill in the blanks and map the terrain you hope to master.
#education #lawschool #learning
#education #lawschool #learning
I enjoyed speaking with Khurram Naik on his podcast “Khurram’s Quorum.” We discussed a range of topics, including the relevance of aesthetics and design principles to legal writing, my influences and favorite nonfiction writers, and more.
www.elegantlegalwriting.com/p/new-legal-... #law
www.elegantlegalwriting.com/p/new-legal-... #law
New interview about legal writing and design, writing influences, and more
Ryan McCarl appeared on the podcast “Khurram’s Quorum” to discuss his writing influences, what makes Elegant Legal Writing different, and other topics.
www.elegantlegalwriting.com
April 26, 2024 at 8:11 PM
I enjoyed speaking with Khurram Naik on his podcast “Khurram’s Quorum.” We discussed a range of topics, including the relevance of aesthetics and design principles to legal writing, my influences and favorite nonfiction writers, and more.
www.elegantlegalwriting.com/p/new-legal-... #law
www.elegantlegalwriting.com/p/new-legal-... #law
Here’s an interview I did with a DC Bar podcast discussing legal writing, AI, tips for law students, and other topics: www.elegantlegalwriting.com/p/dc-bar-int...
#law #lawschool #legalwriting #AI
#law #lawschool #legalwriting #AI
New interview with Ryan McCarl about legal writing, AI, and other topics
Ryan McCarl appeared on the DC Bar podcast "Let's Brief It" to discuss Elegant Legal Writing, tips for law students, AI in the legal profession, and more.
www.elegantlegalwriting.com
April 22, 2024 at 8:14 PM
Here’s an interview I did with a DC Bar podcast discussing legal writing, AI, tips for law students, and other topics: www.elegantlegalwriting.com/p/dc-bar-int...
#law #lawschool #legalwriting #AI
#law #lawschool #legalwriting #AI
Lawyers and law students should forget about IRAC and CREAC. Instead, think of legal arguments as conclusions backed by reasons; the reasons consist of linked propositions of law and fact. www.elegantlegalwriting.com/p/build-lega...
#lawyers #lawschool #legalwriting
#lawyers #lawschool #legalwriting
April 2, 2024 at 11:30 PM
Lawyers and law students should forget about IRAC and CREAC. Instead, think of legal arguments as conclusions backed by reasons; the reasons consist of linked propositions of law and fact. www.elegantlegalwriting.com/p/build-lega...
#lawyers #lawschool #legalwriting
#lawyers #lawschool #legalwriting
Good news for busy attorneys: an audio version of Elegant Legal Writing will be published on April 16! You can preorder it on Audible at bit.ly/elw-audible. #legalwriting #law #writing
ELW updates: a new audiobook, LinkedIn tips, and more
An audiobook version of Elegant Legal Writing will be released on April 16.
www.elegantlegalwriting.com
March 29, 2024 at 8:40 PM
Good news for busy attorneys: an audio version of Elegant Legal Writing will be published on April 16! You can preorder it on Audible at bit.ly/elw-audible. #legalwriting #law #writing
A point heading I recently revised illustrates four techniques recommended in Elegant Legal Writing: 1. Check your sentences’ logic. 2. Simplify and hyphenate compound adjectives. 3. Tighten your sentences by rooting out hidden redundancy. 4. Use action verbs.
#legalwriting #writing #law
#legalwriting #writing #law
Quick writing fixes: sentence logic, compound adjectives, hidden redundancy, and action verbs
A point heading I recently revised illustrates four techniques recommended in Elegant Legal Writing.
www.elegantlegalwriting.com
March 21, 2024 at 6:39 PM
A point heading I recently revised illustrates four techniques recommended in Elegant Legal Writing: 1. Check your sentences’ logic. 2. Simplify and hyphenate compound adjectives. 3. Tighten your sentences by rooting out hidden redundancy. 4. Use action verbs.
#legalwriting #writing #law
#legalwriting #writing #law
Here are the slides from my talk "Beyond IRAC and CREAC: Alternative Models of Legal Reasoning," which I presented this week at the Rocky Mountain Legal Writing Conference. open.substack.com/pub/elegantl... #law #legalwriting #lawschool
Beyond IRAC and CREAC: Alternative Models of Legal Reasoning
Difficult legal questions usually involve disputed rules and disputed or ambiguous facts. Treating these as static and objectively given usually misses the point.
open.substack.com
March 12, 2024 at 11:12 PM
Here are the slides from my talk "Beyond IRAC and CREAC: Alternative Models of Legal Reasoning," which I presented this week at the Rocky Mountain Legal Writing Conference. open.substack.com/pub/elegantl... #law #legalwriting #lawschool
Reply briefs are essential advocacy tools in pretrial motions and appeals. Here are some strategies for making the most of your last opportunity to persuade the judge before your motion or appeal is heard. open.substack.com/pub/elegantl...
How to write great reply briefs
Reply briefs are essential in motion and appellate practice. Here are some strategies to help you make the most of your last opportunity to persuade the judge before your motion is heard.
open.substack.com
February 28, 2024 at 9:13 PM
Reply briefs are essential advocacy tools in pretrial motions and appeals. Here are some strategies for making the most of your last opportunity to persuade the judge before your motion or appeal is heard. open.substack.com/pub/elegantl...
Early reviews of Ryan McCarl's Elegant Legal Writing open.substack.com/pub/elegantl...
February 27, 2024 at 11:36 PM
Early reviews of Ryan McCarl's Elegant Legal Writing open.substack.com/pub/elegantl...
I appeared on the Lawyers in the Making podcast this week to discuss my book Elegant Legal Writing, self-education, advice for law students, and many other topics. https://www.elegantlegalwriting.com/p/lifelong-learning-legal-writing-and?r=1nw2&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Lifelong learning, legal writing, and the privilege of practicing law: an interview with Ryan McCarl
Ryan McCarl appeared on the Lawyers in the Making podcast to discuss legal writing, what he learned from founding a tech startup, and more in a wide-ranging interview.
www.elegantlegalwriting.com
February 25, 2024 at 9:49 PM
I appeared on the Lawyers in the Making podcast this week to discuss my book Elegant Legal Writing, self-education, advice for law students, and many other topics. https://www.elegantlegalwriting.com/p/lifelong-learning-legal-writing-and?r=1nw2&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web