Legal Document Drafting – Tools and Practices that Enhance a Firm’s Competitive Edge

In many legal practices, a significant portion of attorney time is spent drafting documents. If an attorney spends this time efficiently — for example, by starting with an appropriate precedent or form, or by using a document assembly program, and finishing off the draft by utilizing expert drafting skills developed over years of practice — the end result is a high-value, high-quality document. Conversely, if the attorney does not have access to precedents, forms, or document assembly programs and lacks basic drafting skills, the end result may be a low-value, low-quality document that the client overpays for and exposes the law firm and the client to risk. In this chapter of Law Firm KM: Driving Practice Innovation and Redefining Service Deliver, published by ARK Group, associate Patrick Dundas discusses best practices for drafting legal documents in efficient and strategic ways.