Overcoming Writer's Block and Procrastination for Attorneys, Law Students, and Law Professors

49 Pages Posted: 2 Jun 2013 Last revised: 17 Jun 2013

See all articles by David Rasch

David Rasch

Independent

Meehan Rasch

USC Gould School of Law

Date Written: June 17, 2013

Abstract

Law is a particularly writing-heavy profession. However, lawyers, law students, and law professors often struggle with initiating, sustaining, and completing legal writing projects. Even the most competent legal professionals experience periods in which the written word just does not flow freely. This article provides a guide for legal writers who are seeking to understand and resolve writing blocks, procrastination, and other common writing productivity problems.

While much of the advice presented applies broadly, lawyers, law students, and law professors each have their own unique writing challenges. This article highlights some of the complexities of the writing process, offers an overview of common writing productivity issues, and provides a series of tools for improving legal writing productivity. Whatever kind of legal writer you are, we hope this article will help point to issues at the heart of your own writing challenges and will help you identify how best to make productive changes.

Keywords: legal writing, writing productivity, writer's block, procrastination, law school, legal practice, academia, law professors, law students, study skills, psychology, academic support, academic success

Suggested Citation

Rasch, David and Rasch, Meehan, Overcoming Writer's Block and Procrastination for Attorneys, Law Students, and Law Professors (June 17, 2013). New Mexico Law Review, Vol. 43, Spring 2013, USC Law Legal Studies Paper No. 13-15, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2272868

David Rasch

Independent ( email )

Meehan Rasch (Contact Author)

USC Gould School of Law ( email )

699 Exposition Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90089
United States

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