📖 Overview
Richard Wydick was a legal writing expert and professor emeritus at the UC Davis School of Law, best known for his influential book "Plain English for Lawyers" published in 1979. The book became a cornerstone text for legal writing instruction and has sold over a million copies across multiple editions.
Throughout his career at UC Davis from 1967-2003, Wydick taught courses on legal writing, contract drafting, and employment law while advocating for clear, precise communication in legal documents. His work helped establish many of the modern principles for making legal writing more accessible and effective.
Beyond his academic work, Wydick served as a member of the State Bar of California's Committee on Professional Responsibility and Conduct and contributed to several legal publications focused on improving professional writing standards. His influence extended internationally, with "Plain English for Lawyers" being translated into multiple languages and used in law schools worldwide.
Wydick's emphasis on eliminating unnecessary complexity from legal writing helped shape how law schools teach written communication and how practicing lawyers approach document drafting. The principles he established continue to influence legal writing instruction and style guides used throughout the legal profession.
👀 Reviews
Readers consistently praise Wydick's "Plain English for Lawyers" for transforming their legal writing. Many law students and practicing attorneys credit the book with helping them develop clearer, more effective writing habits.
What readers liked:
- Clear examples that demonstrate before/after improvements
- Practical, actionable rules for better writing
- Concise explanations without unnecessary theory
- Humor that makes technical content engaging
What readers disliked:
- Some found the exercises repetitive
- A few readers wanted more complex examples
- Price considered high for a slim volume
Ratings across platforms:
Amazon: 4.7/5 (350+ reviews)
Goodreads: 4.2/5 (400+ ratings)
Specific reader feedback:
"This book cut my brief-writing time in half" - Amazon reviewer
"Required reading for my firm's associates" - Goodreads reviewer
"Changed how I approach every legal document" - Law school forum comment
Professional reviews note the book's influence on multiple generations of lawyers and its role in promoting plain language in legal writing.
📚 Books by Richard Wydick
Plain English for Lawyers (1979)
A legal writing manual teaching attorneys how to write clear, precise legal documents while avoiding unnecessarily complex language.
Case Files in Basic Legal Writing (1989) A workbook containing exercises and examples for law students to practice fundamental legal writing skills.
California Legal Research (2008) A guide detailing methods and resources for conducting legal research specifically within California's legal system.
Plain English for Lawyers Teacher's Manual (2005) An instructor's companion to Plain English for Lawyers, providing teaching materials and answer keys for classroom use.
Plain English Exercises: Answers and Teacher's Notes (1981) A supplementary exercise book with solutions designed to accompany the main Plain English for Lawyers text.
Case Files in Basic Legal Writing (1989) A workbook containing exercises and examples for law students to practice fundamental legal writing skills.
California Legal Research (2008) A guide detailing methods and resources for conducting legal research specifically within California's legal system.
Plain English for Lawyers Teacher's Manual (2005) An instructor's companion to Plain English for Lawyers, providing teaching materials and answer keys for classroom use.
Plain English Exercises: Answers and Teacher's Notes (1981) A supplementary exercise book with solutions designed to accompany the main Plain English for Lawyers text.
👥 Similar authors
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Joseph Williams teaches principles of clear sentence structure and document organization for professional writers. His method breaks down writing mechanics into specific techniques that build upon each other.
Steven Pinker analyzes how language works in the human mind and explains common writing pitfalls. His work connects linguistic research to practical writing applications.
Helen Sword examines academic writing habits and provides techniques for more engaging scholarly prose. She bases her recommendations on research into successful academic authors' practices.
Eugene Volokh presents systematic approaches to legal writing and academic publishing. He focuses on the mechanics of constructing legal arguments and organizing scholarly articles.