We expect that attorneys should be able to write well. After all, litigation involves filing countless motions and oppositions. I having read thousands of documents drafted by opposing counsels, I estimate that about 5% are excellent writers, 90% are good writers, and 5% are horrible writers.
If you want to retain an attorney who is an excellent writer, I recommend that you ask the attorney for a recent writing sample and ask the attorney the names of the last 3 books he or she has read. Great writers are also prolific readers. Steven King, who has sold in excess of 300 million books, states this about writing: ““If you don’t have time to read, you don’t have the time (or the tools) to write. Simple as that.”
I read about 40 books a year. My favorite authors include Dave Barry, Bill Bryson, Christopher Buckley, Michael Connelly, Robert Galbraith (J.K. Rowling), John Grisham, Chelsea Handler, William Least Heat-Moon, Steven King, Stieg Larrson, Michael Lewis, George R.R. Martin, Chris Moore, David Sedaris, Robert Reich, Neal Stephenson, Sarah Vowell, and Jeannette Walls.
