How many files do you have pending because you’ve been waiting on a reply from a client or received an incomplete response? My guess is there’s a handful lying around.

Constantly following up on emails leads to delays that are both frustrating and time-consuming. If you’ve been trying to eliminate this issue without much success, then it may be time to take a closer look at your writing.

Welcome to Gimbal’s Tip of the Week, where you get practical, actionable advice you can use right away to start building a more productive and profitable legal practice.

This week’s tip is to re-read every email before sending it out and eliminate all the legalese. 

Last week we asked you to think about how much time you waste because your emails go unopened. Writing great subject lines that get your emails opened is just the first step because, as I mentioned earlier, sometimes clients don't fully digest your email or answer all the questions you’ve written in your message. Why don't they?

It’s often because of legalese—the specialized vocabulary we believe is valuable but actually annoys or worse, alienates, our clients. Most of the time, you don’t need it…and trust me, nobody misses legalese when it’s not there. I can assure you that no one reads your contract and says, “Hey, she’s missing a save as hereinabove defined and a few thereinafters.”

One of the most common forms of legalese is redundancy: using 2 or 3 words where one will do.

Your action item: For the next few weeks, work on eliminating redundancies in your emails.

Every time you come across what we call legal doublets and triplets, replace them with single words instead. For example, “Cease and desist” can become “Stop” [or cease…or desist…just pick one]. The more you become aware of it, the easier it gets.

Here are a few more examples that you’ll definitely recognize:

•  Give, devise, and bequeath
•  Indemnify and hold harmless
•  Last will and testament
•  Make and enter into

Wikipedia also has a great list.

Eliminating legalese results in clear, concise writing that your clients understand and colleagues appreciate. You’ll be more likely to receive faster and more complete responses to your emails, and that will save you a ime and money.

Join us for next week’s Tip of the Week on building a profitable and productive law practice.