ok...just got bck my first memo and was prob lowest in my class....lol
I've been focusing on my 4 credit classes (torts...contracts...) and preparing for finals ever since semester started. Figured the 2 credit LRW is really a time sucker. I mean, I see other 1L's spending enormous times in the library doing research and outlining, drafting, redrafting, reading bluebooks....just to prepare for a memo worth like 20% of a 2 credit LRW class. I just don't get why they think its so important...am I missing something or am I on the right track in preparing for the finals......doubting myself......

while many schools do not have graded LRW (to the best of my knowledge), if your LRW is graded, it is likely that employers will be very interested in this grade as this is a good portion of what you will be doing.

Definitely true.

As a lawyer, you will always be writing. Always. Put a lot of time into the class.

Credited.

As for OP, you really shouldn't gauge what you do by what you see others doing (or not doing). Find a plan that allocates your time and energy in a way that works for you, and forget about what everyone else is up to. I would personally not at all advocate shirking LRW during most of the semester. Around exam time, things might be different, but right now, when the choice is graded LRW work vs. ungraded reading for the other classes, then the choice is clear.

EDIT: Oh, and here's one free writing tip: use elipses less frequently. Your writing will be easier to read as a result.

LRW is the most useful 1L course (and arguably the only useful 1L course, depending on your eventual practice area).

personally, I wouldn't half-ass any graded course.

You were saying?

i have no problem with LRW being graded.

i have a problem with LRW being graded on a curve.

which means, since we all used the same cases as references, the content will be largely similar and the difference between As and B-s are going to be stupid things like page numbering and how dark your printer ink was.

I think you're really overestimating nervous 1L's capacity to craft legal arguments. I'm not a fan of curves for LRW, but my guess is there's actually a wide spectrum of performance even when everybody starts with the same material.

no... I half-ass legal writing because it's not graded. FTFY.

I don't think my idea of half-assing is on par with most people's though, so my pass/fail work is semi whole-assed.

we had to exchange briefs in prep for oral arguments and the brief that i received completely support your "wide spectrum" theory.

I think legal writing is a strange class. A lot of people who I regard as great writers didn't do that well. Quite a few legal writing profs tend to grade rather mechanically. (-1) for BB error, (-1) for comma usage, without that many points given to a good argument. I just don't think working hard in LRW will do much for your writing long-term. Perhaps I'm bitter because LRW was my worst grade in law school, but I was repeatedly complimented on my writing as a SA.

Agreed. I got a whole point off (out of 40) for using a quasi double negative (it's not like I said cannot never). I agree it made the sentence a little confusing, but geez.

This is true unless you are forced to turn in a rough draft before the graded assignment. Then everyone is given the exact same advice on what to change and the difference between papers becomes really negligible.

correct. we did not have a rough draft per se but the entire writing process, including multiple one-on-ones with the teacher, was heavily monitored.

Graded LRW= Suck. I have MOST points taken off because of Bluebooking errors. Need to focus on this class way more for the next two weeks.

I'm on pace to fail my ungraded legal writing class


On the flip side, my instructor is a 3L, and I don't think he wants to fail anyone.

Not learning proper Bluebook form is sheer laziness. Yes, many Bluebook rules may be idiotic, but they are nonetheless fairly easy to learn and apply. Failure to do so communicates a form of carelessness and lack of attention to detail that law firms are very eager to avoid when they make hiring decisions.

True...guess I will take the bad score as a bless rather than a curse...making me want to work 100* harder now...

As a TA for legal writing who gets to read all the memos, I assure you there are VAST differences in quality, far apart from "page numbering" and "darkness of ink." Like you, I thought this was the case, but you'd be surprised how less than stellar many of them can be.

We are supposed to be drafting our open memo right now, but I haven't gotten my closed memo back. How can I start my open without knowing if I ****ed up my closed? AGhhh.

haha yea this was a fun process for me too

+1 My second memo is due in 10 days and only yesterday did I get back my first graded memo. Our LRW program is in shambles. I don't think anyone is on the same page.

Are you in my class? lol