I teach early-career lawyers how to be effective legal writers.
Brence D. Pernell
Brence is an excellent writer. His contributions as my law clerk were exceedingly invaluable. He is also a very diligent and hard worker who is a joy to work with.
—The Honorable Theodore McKee, former Chief Judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third CircuitProfessor Pernell gave helpful and specific feedback for writing assignments that no other law school professor will likely ever give you! He was kind and very encouraging as well.
-First-year Columbia Law School Student
What I Offer
I work with legal organizations to teach young lawyers how to write better. I am a former federal law clerk, practicing attorney, and Adjunct Professor of legal writing and legal methods at Columbia Law School, the New York University School of Law, and New York Law School. With a teaching degree from the Harvard University Graduate School of Education, I specifically engage young lawyers with questions about how to improve their legal writing.
My own legal writing has been featured in several publications, including the New York University Law Review, Yale Law & Policy Review, and The Washington Post.
I draw on my varied professional background to support lawyers’ writing and other critical skills in drafting legal documents like memoranda, briefs, and formal emails and letters. My services include legal writing curriculum development and consulting, legal writing presentations, legal writing coaching, and summer associate training.
Professional Legal Experience
Adjunct Law Professor
In-House Counsel
Law Firm Associate
Federal Law Clerk