Megan K. Lefebvre, publications attorney at Minnesota CLE, Publications SIG co-chair, and Communications Editorial Committee co-chair

This is a question we pose to applicants for positions within our publications team at Minnesota CLE, and something that should be at the forefront of our minds as providers of legal publications. The question gives us an opportunity to consider what exactly makes a legal publication useful to our customers, including how to craft quality resources and what attorneys really need in their legal publications to improve their practice. After many years of working on legal publications, it has become clear that there are a few key elements necessary to make a high-quality legal publication.

1. Good Citations

   Citations are the lifeblood of quality legal publications. Practitioners need this information as a baseline for their legal research and to craft their memos, briefs, and pleadings to the court. When working with authors, we emphasize the importance of good citations to primary sources of law (generally case law and the relevant statutes). A “good” citation is not only accurate and clearly formatted, but also directs the reader to the law that supports the author’s assertions. We want to direct our readers to the sources that will bolster their legal arguments and help them better serve their clients. We also recognize the value of helpful secondary sources, particularly in areas of emerging law, such as artificial intelligence and cannabis legalization. We encourage authors to include references to law review articles, case law from other jurisdictions, and legislative history and discussion, as well as to other legal publications such as treatises, Restatements, ALRs, and legal periodicals that may be useful for practitioners.

2. Clear, Concise Writing

   The best legal writing leaves jargon and buzz words out, and instead focuses on clarity and succinctness. Attorneys using our books for research are looking for practice-based information that clearly outlines the practice of law within our jurisdiction. We strive to provide resources that make our customers better attorneys, and in order to do that, we have to ensure that the information provided is accurate, practical, and instructive. We remind authors that practitioners of all experience levels are reading these resources, so while it is important to provide a baseline of information for newer attorneys, it is also helpful to include information that experienced practitioners may not know. Writing in a manner that is clear, easy to understand, and free from verbose, rambling paragraphs or unnecessary background or history helps sharpen the focus of legal publications. It is always helpful to remember, for example, that we are not creating a treatise on the history of trusts and trust-related legislation and case law in the state of Minnesota; rather, we want to provide our customers with a practice-based aid for Minnesota attorneys to draft and administer trusts for their clients.

3. Provide Necessary Information, Along with Practice Aids

   If publishers want their legal publications to stand out in a sea of books and practice resources aimed at attorneys, legal writing that includes just the necessary information may not be enough. Insights and practice tips gleaned from years of experience are a great way to enhance legal publications and give readers something they cannot find anywhere else. Writers who include information that cannot be gathered from reviewing relevant case law or reading the court rules, such as drafting suggestions based on years of practice or insight from working within a certain jurisdiction, give readers priceless information that can help improve their practice. Highlighting what judges appreciate from attorneys appearing before them or breaking down the process for filing a case in immigration court for the first time is information that practitioners cannot find online or in the state’s legal rules. Including sample forms, checklists for drafting or filing appeals, and timelines for legal procedures is always appreciated. We receive regular feedback from customers about how useful such items are, and we encourage authors to consider what information they would have found helpful as new attorneys.

4. Well-Defined Layout and Formatting, with Helpful Navigation Tools

   Publishers often overlook the importance of layout and formatting when creating publications for professionals. The readability of a resource may seem like an intangible aspect of publishing, but as every reader knows, it can make or break a book. Especially in the digital age, how a book looks and “reads” is an important part of making the resource easy to use, particularly for legal resources that include dense information, contain many citations, and may cover certain topics in multiple places. The layout of legal publications should be easy to read and navigate and include descriptive section titles and headers. Legal publications should also include a detailed table of contents, helpful appendices, a subject index, and a complete table of authorities. This helps readers more easily navigate the legal publication and find the information they need quickly. When an attorney needs to find information on how to draft a probable cause motion in an 1,100-page book, they will look to the tools provided by the publisher. Failing to include these basic tools makes searching for information like looking for a proverbial needle in an 1,100-page haystack. But if publishers give attorneys the tools they need to quickly and easily find the information they need within a legal publication, that book will become the attorney’s go-to resource for reliable, easy-to-find answers.