Submitting firm memos for writing samples, un-ethical? Forum

[Gatorade]

memos I wrote during my internship at a law firm, which were submitted to the firm's clients, can I use them as writing samples? of course the names etc will be omitted.

I honestly don't know if that's breaking ethical/legal rules. thank you for your input and please easy on the flame!

[MrAnon]

memos I wrote during my internship at a law firm, which were submitted to the firm's clients, can I use them as writing samples? of course the names etc will be omitted.

I honestly don't know if that's breaking ethical/legal rules. thank you for your input and please easy on the flame!

Ethical issues aside, any serious law firm interviewer will wonder if you would be so daring to do the same with future memos you write for him or her and would question your judgment in submitting these.

[sparty99]

It is okay to use them. However, the information should be redacted...

[Gatorade]

memos I wrote during my internship at a law firm, which were submitted to the firm's clients, can I use them as writing samples? of course the names etc will be omitted.

I honestly don't know if that's breaking ethical/legal rules. thank you for your input and please easy on the flame!

Ethical issues aside, any serious law firm interviewer will wonder if you would be so daring to do the same with future memos you write for him or her and would question your judgment in submitting these.

hum....I honestly remember people submitting their "work product" as writing samples.... instead of law school legal writing assignments....

now what would those "work product" be?

[kalvano]

I would submit something written for school first, and then if they ask to see other examples, use the firm ones. Or if they don't ask for a writing sample at first, but ask for one later on, then offer them a choice between the firm ones and educational ones.

In either case, I would make it clear that you have the blessing of the firm to use them as examples. I'm assuming you do; if you don't then that's very, very bad.

[seatown12]

I would submit something written for school first, and then if they ask to see other examples, use the firm ones. Or if they don't ask for a writing sample at first, but ask for one later on, then offer them a choice between the firm ones and educational ones.

In either case, I would make it clear that you have the blessing of the firm to use them as examples. I'm assuming you do; if you don't then that's very, very bad.

You HAVE to get the employer's permission and redact. That said, I have always heard, and personally felt, that a real-world sample is better than something written for school. The work you did for your previous employer was probably pretty similar to what the new employer will have you do, so it makes a better sample than whatever contrived memo you were assigned in Legal Writing class.

[NinerFan]

Doing this is fine as long as you have your employer's permission and redact whatever they tell you to redact (client name and confidential information, most likely)

Be sure to disclose on your cover sheet of the writing sample that is was produced for an employer but that you got their permission to use it.

Do not use work-product without receiving explicit permission to use it.

[Anonymous User]

Didn't read the previous posts but...just tell the firm you want to do this and they should have a process in place where your work product will go through a review and info is redacted. Then you don't have to worry about being unethical because you probably shouldn't send confidential info from your "clients" as a writing sample.

[The Duck]

It is okay to use them. However, the information should be redacted...

Only if given permission by the firm. Attach a cover letter stating you were given permission. Same thing goes for stuff from judicial internships.

[Gatorade]

thx! u guys are the best!