You may have heard the pejorative term “hairography”. According to the Urban Dictionary, this is “choreography using a lot of dance movement with the head that causes the hair to thrash about.” Basically, it’s done to disguise a lack of dancing skills.
Sadly, some lawyers do something similar when they hide behind big words and legalese.
I call it “lexography”.
I have to admit, as a fledgling attorney, I spoke the lingua franca. My letters and pleadings sounded like they were written in another century. Formal, stilted, passive voice, and boring.
I didn’t want to be seen as lacking experience in the arcane world of the fraternity I had recently joined. I wanted to sound like a lawyer and I thought that’s what I had to do.
I even did it with clients. I was young (and looked it) and I wanted to sound like a grown up.
It all ended quickly. I hated the way I sounded, and it was too much work to keep up, so I said, “the hell with it” and I stopped.
What a relief!
I spoke plainly. Simple words. Colloquial expressions. Cliches.
I used short sentences.
Like this.
Nobody complained or looked down on me. Nobody refused to hire me because I sounded inexperienced or unprofessional.
So, if you’re new to this club, or you (still) have issues with “sounding like a lawyer,” let it go.
I get a lot of email from lawyers. Some lawyers (lawyers!) can’t communicate a cogent thought to save their life.
Seriously. I can’t understand them.
C’mon, people. We are word merchants, you and I. We get paid to communicate. We need to be on top of our game. Better than good. Clear, concise, and persuasive.
You don’t need to be eloquent but if writing doesn’t come naturally to you, do what you have to do to get better. Take classes, get an editor, read outside your field.
Get a writing “workout partner”. Get lots of practice. And most of all, have fun with it. You’ll be glad you did. So will your clients.
How to write a “special report” that brings in clients
