When choosing a writing sample, always first consider what your best sample is. If there is a clear winner, use that sample. If you are fortunate to choose between several samples, consider the potential employer. Select a writing sample that illustrates the style of writing you will be using for that employer. For example, if you are applying to a public defender select an Appellate Brief, but if you are applying to an employer that does not practice in the appellate courts, consider a memorandum of law.

Of course, always comply with employer requests. If a potential employer requests a memorandum, provide one. Similarly if an employer requests something other than a law journal article, by all means do NOT submit your Journal article.

Some employers request an “unedited” writing sample. This generally does not exclude final drafts of papers submitted for law school courses, but it does exclude a Journal article, Moot Court brief, and other documents that are heavily and substantively edited by other people.

Finally, some employers request the writing sample be limited to a particular number of pages. In this case, it is appropriate to submit an excerpt of your writing sample if the original version is too long. Simply explain it is an excerpt on the cover page and make sure to include enough of the substance to demonstrate your ability to effectively communicate an argument.

A note regarding cover pages: Consider including a cover page to your writing sample. It should include your name, the type of document you are submitted, and for what purpose it was originally created. It may look like:

Writing Sample of Margann Bennett

Excerpt of
Appellate Brief

Prepared for
Legal Analysis Research & Writing II
Spring 2009

There are sample cover pages on TWEN and in Symplicity.