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I'm really struggling with my writing sample. Rising 2L. Options include:

1. Section of an appellate brief written during my 2L summer firm job. Pros: excellent writing etc. Cons: Only six pages.
2. Memo I wrote for my 1L legal writing class (13 pages). Writing is fine but it is fact and statute heavy.
3. Policy paper on dam removal written for a 2L class (25 pages).

Unfortunately, I can't use any of the writing from my 1L summer job. Any thoughts on which of the above is preferable?

Many thanks.

#1

Why don't you use more of the appellate brief? My rule of thumb is that it should be at least 10-15 pages double-spaced, but not too much more than that. Six pages is pretty short, unless you are talking single-spaced.

But yes, agree with #1.

if they like you enough to care about your writing sample being less than ten pages, it is really good news and means that you have a GOOD problem, and you can deal with it at that point.

if the rest of your stuff is good, they won't ding you for having 6 pages instead of 9

I'm presuming OP only wrote 6 pages of the brief, not that they're cutting it down from something longer. But I also agree about #1 - most recent, done for a job not a course, and a practice document not policy.

Okay, thanks all (anyone else feel free to chime in). Above poster is correct in that I inly wrote one section of it.

#1 is too short, for most judges.

#2 is probably your best option.

#3 is out. I definitely wouldn't use that.

Anonymous User wrote:#1 is too short, for most judges.

#2 is probably your best option.

#3 is out. I definitely wouldn't use that.

I disagree. I've had two clerkship interviews using a writing sample that was only 7 pages (and my grades were not great). I think the substance of what you are writing is more important than the length. I've also had discussions with employers who prefer writing samples that are not from legal writing classes...they said those writings are not representative of real work because of the crazy fact patterns.

I think #1 is your best bet, but reasonable minds can disagree.

Use #1. Add a cover page and another few pages of facts summary + background info (in your own words), then u have about 10 pages.