On December 13, 2024, Scribes—The American Society of Legal Writers presented its 2024 Continuing Legal Education program, “Legal Writing for the Digital Reader,” a virtual event that brought together lawyers, judges, law school faculty, and students from across the country. The program explored the evolving demands of digital communication in the legal field and provided practical insights to enhance writing for a digital audience.
The program featured two distinguished speakers. Ivy B. Grey, Chief Strategy Officer at WordRake and a Scribes board member, shared her expertise in adapting legal writing for digital platforms. She focused on best practices in plain language, visual design, and digital functionality. Professor Joseph A. Rosenberg from CUNY Law School, a leading voice on the intersection of legal writing and technology, presented practical strategies for crafting documents that resonate with today’s digital readers.
Participants explored the unique challenges posed by digital reading, including reduced attention spans, changes in cognitive processing, and device limitations. They learned actionable techniques to make legal writing more concise and engaging, such as using headings, white space, bulleted lists, and hyperlinks to improve readability and navigation. The speakers also discussed visual design elements like typography and layout, emphasizing their importance in creating professional and comprehensible documents.
Grey highlighted research on how digital readers scan text, including the “F-shaped” reading pattern, and shared advice on structuring content to capture and maintain attention. Rosenberg underscored the value of visual design and typographic choices to enhance narrative power and comprehension. Both speakers emphasized that while writing for digital readers requires adaptation, the principles of good writing remain consistent across formats.
“Writing for digital readers isn’t just about technology; it’s about communication,” said Grey. “Our goal is to ensure that legal professionals meet their readers where they are—whether on a screen or on paper.”
Darby Dickerson, Scribes’s President and President & Dean of Southwestern Law School, remarked on the program’s success: “This year’s CLE exemplifies Scribe’s commitments to promoting excellence in legal writing and addressing the evolving challenges and opportunities presented by new technologies. Writing for the digital reader is essential for legal professionals who want to communicate effectively in today’s fast-paced, technology-driven world. We were thrilled that our topic resonated with the legal community.”
Participants received access to valuable resources, including articles on writing for the digital reader, tutorials on leveraging Microsoft Word for better document design, and research studies on the science of reading. These resources will support attendees in applying the principles shared during the program.
Scribes invites members and non-members alike to join future CLE programs and initiatives as part of its ongoing mission to promote excellence in legal writing. For more information about upcoming events, visit www.scribes.org.
About Scribes—The American Society of Legal Writers:
Scribes is dedicated to promoting excellence in legal writing. Since its founding in 1951, the organization has fostered a community of legal professionals, educators, and students who value clarity, precision, and effectiveness in legal communication. We welcome individual members, law school members, and institutional subscribers.