The Skagit County Bar Association invites you to the following FREE CLE*:

Mastering Legal Writing: Tips and Tricks for Practitioners

Wednesday, August 20, 2025

Noon to 1:00 p.m.

By Zoom (login information sent to all registrants before event)

1.0 CLE Law and Legal Procedure Credit (pending)

Elevate your legal writing skills with our comprehensive Continuing Legal Education (CLE) course designed for legal practitioners at all levels and across all substantive areas. This course focuses on the essential tips and tricks for creating effective legal briefs that are both understandable and convincing. Participants will explore practical strategies to enhance clarity and persuasiveness in their writing, making every word count, including:

• Purpose-driven writing: ensuring every element serves clarity and persuasion
• Personalized approaches: embracing flexibility in writing styles
• Drafting tips: using oral argument techniques and reducing template reliance
• Language and tone: avoiding overly formal language and hyperbole
• Importance of structure: developing strong topic sentences
• Visual engagement: utilizing formatting techniques, including visuals

Presenter:  

Rachel Constantino-Wallace is a litigation Partner at Ballard Spahr LLP and an Adjunct Professor of Legal Writing at Seattle University School of Law. From Skagit County, she clerked with Honorable Mary Kay Becker with the Washington Court of Appeals, and Honorable Salvador Mendoza, Jr., with the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington prior to entering private practice. Join us as Ms. Constantino-Wallace walks through practical strategies to refine your legal writing skills and become a more effective advocate for your clients. This course promises insightful strategies, practical exercises, and expert guidance to support your continuous development as a proficient legal writer.

Mastering Legal Writing_Tips and Tricks for Practitioners_Course Description and Agenda.pdf

Rachel Constantino-Wallace Bio.pdf

*This is free CLE and attendance is reported only for Skagit, Kittitas, and Whitman County Bar Associations. CLE credits for members of those three associations will be approved only upon completion of attendance and evaluation forms sent to the registrants by email after the event. Those who attend and are not members of any of those three associations will be provided with the Activity ID and can self-report their credits directly to WSBA.

Thanks for registering and we are looking forward to seeing you!