--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is true that too much legal writing is…" description: "\"“It is true that too much legal writing is obfuscatory, wordy, dense and stilted. Many lawyers seem to believe that sounding like a lawyer is as import..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/957/charles-m-fox-19369_writing_it-is-true-that-too-much-legal-writing-i_1736983.jpg" --- # It is true that too much legal writing is obfuscatory… ![“It is true that too much legal writing is obfuscatory, wordy, dense and stilted. Many lawyers seem to believe that sounding like a lawyer is as important as the subject matter being communicated. A frequent result is that the effectiveness of the communication suffers.” quote by Charles M. Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/957/charles-m-fox-19369_writing_it-is-true-that-too-much-legal-writing-i_1736983.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/957/charles-m-fox-19369_writing_it-is-true-that-too-much-legal-writing-i_1736983.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/957/charles-m-fox-19369_writing_it-is-true-that-too-much-legal-writing-i_1736983.jpg) > ““It is true that too much legal writing is obfuscatory, wordy, dense and stilted. Many lawyers seem to believe that sounding like a lawyer is as important as the subject matter being communicated. A frequent result is that the effectiveness of the communication suffers.”” [Charles M. Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-m-fox/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Legal writing often becomes overly complex, sacrificing clarity for formality. **In simple terms:** Legal prose can be confusing. Key Takeaway Prioritize clear communication. Themes law communication clarity Mood analytical practical Type educational professional When to use this quote - court filings - client letters - policy documents - academic papers Key Concepts obfuscation jargon Questions to Reflect On - How can lawyers balance precision with readability? - What strategies improve legal writing clarity? A Different Perspective Complexity may be needed for precision in some contexts. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Lawyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lawyer/) [Lawyer Important](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lawyer-important-1482865/) [Lawyers Believe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lawyers-believe-1482866/) [Legal Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/legal-writing-759306/) [Like Lawyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/like-lawyer-1482864/) [Stilted Lawyers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stilted-lawyers-1482867/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [The fact that I am constantly immersed in the act of legal writing and editing has made me a better and more efficient creative…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-olivas/the-fact-that-i-am-constantly-immersed-in-the-act-of-legal-writing/) [Daniel Olivas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-olivas/) > [There are lawyers who believe in client-centered representation and who are dedicated on the same level I feel I was dedicated.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lynne-stewart/there-are-lawyers-who-believe-in-client-centered-representation-and/) [Lynne Stewart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lynne-stewart/) > [Courage is the most important attribute of a lawyer. 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I'm also a lawyer by training and am highly aware that these behaviors should have real consequences.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/meena-harris/i-know-what-sexual-harassment-looks-like-i-m-also-a-lawyer-by/) [Meena Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/meena-harris/) > [If I wanted to know what a certain future would feel like to me, I would find someone who is already living that future.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-gilbert/if-i-wanted-to-know-what-a-certain-future-would-feel-like-to-me-i/) [Daniel Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-gilbert/) ## More by Charles M. Fox > [“Which lawyer drafts the contract is often dictated by custom: financing agreements are drafted by lenders’ counsel; acquisition agreements are drafted by purchaser’s counsel;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-m-fox/which-lawyer-drafts-the-contract-is-often-dictated-by-custom/) [Charles M. Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-m-fox/) > [“Remedial provisions have two elements: a description of the events that give rise to the right to a remedy, and the remedies themselves. As”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-m-fox/remedial-provisions-have-two-elements-a-description-of-the-events/) [Charles M. Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-m-fox/) > [“The documentation of a business deal is where the worlds of business and law most clearly intersect. The”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-m-fox/the-documentation-of-a-business-deal-is-where-the-worlds-of-business/) [Charles M. Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-m-fox/) > [“The notion that commercial contracts should be written in plain English so as to be understood by people who would never be expected to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-m-fox/the-notion-that-commercial-contracts-should-be-written-in-plain/) [Charles M. 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Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-m-fox/) > [“party being asked to make a representation will want to make complete disclosure in order to avoid liability. The”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-m-fox/party-being-asked-to-make-a-representation-will-want-to-make-complete/) [Charles M. Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-m-fox/) > [“Material adverse effect" is a standard that is often employed in the softening of contract provisions. It is often used in more than one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-m-fox/material-adverse-effect-is-a-standard-that-is-often-employed-in-the/) [Charles M. Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-m-fox/) > [“A proviso is a clause that begins with either "provided" or "provided, however.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-m-fox/a-proviso-is-a-clause-that-begins-with-either-provided-or-provided/) [Charles M. 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