It can be said that it is no exaggeration, that the profession of Law is the most “communicative” profession. Writing is one of the most used skills of the legal profession, but looking at the current situation of Vietnam, it can be seen that this is also one of the skills that receive the least attention.
Thinks law school doesn’t teach
During the 4-year journey at Law School (I am referring to all law schools, not a specific training institution), most of you have learned a lot about domestic law. dung. But skill subjects, including Writing skills, for practice are almost absent.
Even looking through the lawyer training classes, writing skills are also neglected, or integrated in a rather fuzzy way.
What are the consequences of all this?
In the early years of your law career, you will have many difficulties when writing. For example, consulting a client on a certain legal issue, the law is full of a stomach, but writing does not work. Or need to issue a press release, how to start?
It’s disastrous.
What always must write when practice
Before discussing developing writing skills, it may be a good idea to imagine a little bit about what lawyers and/or law practitioners [hereinafter referred to as lawyers] have to write in their practice. Based on personal experience, I think that lawyers’ writing activities can be classified into the following two groups:
Group 1: Legal writing
That is, write legal documents such as Memo, Report, Agreement, Letter of Advice, etc.
These types of texts require certain structures. It should also be added to avoid controversy, in the context of the fledgling law profession in Vietnam, structures are understood as the layout and style of writing so that the text is logical, coherent and full of information. , rather than seeing it as mandatory requirements.
Example: Write a letter of advice. You have the right to layout how it is up to you, as long as the customer reading the document understands their rights and obligations, they are satisfied and pay the fee. But often, you will be very confused because you do not know how to be logical, complete and satisfied. If you haven’t been instructed by someone, have you ever thought about protecting your [attorney]’s interests by putting provisions on disclaimer or limitation of liability?
Group 2: Write content that is not legal
Lawyers do not always write commitments, minutes and agreements, but sometimes for professional reasons, they have to write documents that do not carry legal content. Such cases can be mentioned as when a client is faced with a media crisis and needs to make a press release. It could also mean having to write content to post on the firm’s fanpage, etc.
It should also be added that although the subject is non-legal, the writing style of a lawyer must contain logic and sharpness, making a distinction between a law practitioner and the articles of journalists or other objects.
DHP Law Firm
Address: L4 – 09.OT06 Landmark 4 Building, Vinhomes Central Park, 720A Dien Bien Phu, Ward 22, Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City.
Hotline: 0986 938 627 (Ms. Hung), 0367 774 043 (Ms. Tam)
Email: hangluatdhp@gmail.com
