4 answers
Ruthie
Student
Colorado Springs, Colorado
1
Question
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What type of law involves a lot of writing that a degree in English would benefit?
Hello! I am a senior in high school and have been accepted into my dream college, UCCS! I would love to become a lawyer and I plan on studying English because I love writing and composition. While I still have a lot of time to decide what type of law I want to study, I would really appreciate some guidance!
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4 answers
DENNIS BREEN
Lawyer
224
Answers
Cary, North Carolina
Updated
DENNIS’s Answer
Hi Ruthie: You still have a ton of time!
Just so you know - i have tried a ton of civil cases in NYC Courts. I wrote one legal book, published in the New York Law Journal, written many motions and appeals. Published several times in the "Defendant". Frankly I am writing an appeal right now!
Legal writing is different writing. I wrote one unpublished novel which really stunk! So, like you, I enjoy writing. The good part of legal writing is you need to be creative to support or oppose a position. Not always easy but creative.
Have fun going through college. UCCS is a great place. Once in law school you'll see which field you like the best. Then you can decide if you want to just write appeals or do general stuff.
Good luck!
Just so you know - i have tried a ton of civil cases in NYC Courts. I wrote one legal book, published in the New York Law Journal, written many motions and appeals. Published several times in the "Defendant". Frankly I am writing an appeal right now!
Legal writing is different writing. I wrote one unpublished novel which really stunk! So, like you, I enjoy writing. The good part of legal writing is you need to be creative to support or oppose a position. Not always easy but creative.
Have fun going through college. UCCS is a great place. Once in law school you'll see which field you like the best. Then you can decide if you want to just write appeals or do general stuff.
Good luck!
Thank you very much for your advice! I appreciate you taking the time to answer my question!
Ruthie
Austin Weger
Research Librarian // Attorney
2
Answers
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Austin’s Answer
Hi Ruthie! Congratulations on getting into your dream school - that is such an amazing accomplishment!
You have so much time to decide what kind of law you want to practice. Taking writing courses in college will surely help sharpen your writing skills, but as Dennis explained above, legal writing is a very different type of writing that will be taught in law school. If you want a few types of law to start looking into that involve more writing, you could look into appellate law, civil litigation, intellectual property law, or any sort of policy work/legislation drafting. I would recommend writing as much as possible in your undergraduate studies to practice, and then when you get to law school, take many different courses on types of law that interest you. Writing is truly everywhere in the legal field, so I'm sure you will find the best fit for you - just never stop writing!
Best of luck!
Take writing courses at UCCS
Get familiar with different types of law that involve writing
Look into legal internships while at UCCS
Never stop writing!
You have so much time to decide what kind of law you want to practice. Taking writing courses in college will surely help sharpen your writing skills, but as Dennis explained above, legal writing is a very different type of writing that will be taught in law school. If you want a few types of law to start looking into that involve more writing, you could look into appellate law, civil litigation, intellectual property law, or any sort of policy work/legislation drafting. I would recommend writing as much as possible in your undergraduate studies to practice, and then when you get to law school, take many different courses on types of law that interest you. Writing is truly everywhere in the legal field, so I'm sure you will find the best fit for you - just never stop writing!
Best of luck!
Austin recommends the following next steps:
Sara Doyle
Exhibits Coordinator
6
Answers
Douglas, Wyoming
Updated
Sara’s Answer
Hi Ruthie,
Congrats on getting into your dream school. I also attended UCCS and earned a BA in English. I've also worked alongside a County Attorney's office for six years (I worked for Probation, but we worked closely with the CA and the courts). I did a lot of writing affidavits. I also did a lot of proofing the same, as well as the court orders that the CA prepped for the judges to sign. I can't say the English degree did much to help in that style of writing, since the degree focuses on literature and not technical writing (and even then, technical writing and legal writing are not the same thing). What the degree will do is help you know how to write clearly and form arguments that you have to support--which will help you in all areas of law. That means you can find the area of law that most interest you and your writing skills will be well honed to support your career!
I do know that you are in good hands studying English at UCCS. When I was there, I had profs that were Ivy League educated, which means I benefited from their education as well. If Joan Ray happens to still be around, be sure to take a Jane Austen class with her!
Congrats on getting into your dream school. I also attended UCCS and earned a BA in English. I've also worked alongside a County Attorney's office for six years (I worked for Probation, but we worked closely with the CA and the courts). I did a lot of writing affidavits. I also did a lot of proofing the same, as well as the court orders that the CA prepped for the judges to sign. I can't say the English degree did much to help in that style of writing, since the degree focuses on literature and not technical writing (and even then, technical writing and legal writing are not the same thing). What the degree will do is help you know how to write clearly and form arguments that you have to support--which will help you in all areas of law. That means you can find the area of law that most interest you and your writing skills will be well honed to support your career!
I do know that you are in good hands studying English at UCCS. When I was there, I had profs that were Ivy League educated, which means I benefited from their education as well. If Joan Ray happens to still be around, be sure to take a Jane Austen class with her!
I appreciate you taking the time to answer my question! Thank you so much!
Ruthie
Baljit Gill
tutor
47
Answers
Milpitas, California
Updated
Baljit’s Answer
Hi Ruthie,
Congratulations on getting into your dream school! That's an amazing achievement.
I've worked as a paralegal with many lawyers, and I'm really interested in Intellectual Property Litigation. With my background in English, I think it would be a great fit.
First, it requires strong writing skills for tasks like drafting motions and conducting legal research. Second, it involves continuous learning and analysis, where English writing skills are very useful. Third, being quick at finding answers is a big advantage in the legal field.
Overall, I believe the most crucial part of litigation is the ability to read, write, and analyze the issues effectively.
Congratulations on getting into your dream school! That's an amazing achievement.
I've worked as a paralegal with many lawyers, and I'm really interested in Intellectual Property Litigation. With my background in English, I think it would be a great fit.
First, it requires strong writing skills for tasks like drafting motions and conducting legal research. Second, it involves continuous learning and analysis, where English writing skills are very useful. Third, being quick at finding answers is a big advantage in the legal field.
Overall, I believe the most crucial part of litigation is the ability to read, write, and analyze the issues effectively.
Thank you! This was very helpful!
Ruthie