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University of Maryland Global Campus — Legal Studies

LGST 201: Legal Writing

A complete guide to UMGC's LGST 201: Legal Writing — what this course covers, typical assignments, and where to get expert help when a deadline is close.

Undergraduate 3 Credits UMGC

Legal Writing builds the foundational writing skill every upper-division LGST course requires — synthesizing law and explaining legal analysis to a nonlegal audience.

What LGST 201 covers

Prerequisite: LGST 200. An introduction to the principles of writing clearly and effectively in the legal environment. The objective is to draft writings that synthesize law, analyze legal issues, and explain law and legal analysis to a nonlegal audience.

Assignments include a legal synthesis memo, case law and statutory analysis memos, and a client letter.

Typical LGST 201 assignments

Expect assignments requiring you to draft a legal synthesis memo, an analysis memo, or a client letter in the exact professional format the course requires.

Key topics in LGST 201

Writing tips for LGST 201

Follow the assignment instructions and rubric line by line

UMGC assignments for LGST 201 are graded against a specific rubric or grading criteria your instructor provides — every requirement has to be visibly addressed. Skipping a requirement because it seems minor is one of the most common reasons a strong submission loses points.

Cite actual legal authority, not general legal statements

Legal Studies courses like LGST 201 expect you to cite specific case law, statutes, or rules of procedure behind an argument — not general statements like "the law requires fairness." Evaluators check whether the authority cited is real, relevant, and correctly applied.

Use the required legal writing format precisely

Legal writing assignments (memos, briefs, client letters) follow a specific professional format and structure. Deviating from the expected format — even with strong legal analysis inside it — is one of the fastest ways to lose points in a paralegal/legal studies course.

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Why students seek help with LGST 201

Students sometimes write strong legal analysis in the wrong document format (e.g., an essay instead of a memo) — the rubric typically wants the exact required format followed precisely, not just correct legal content.

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Prerequisites and course context

LGST 201 requires Techniques of Legal Research (LGST 200). It is itself the gateway prerequisite for nearly every upper-division LGST course (312, 315, 316, 320, 325, 330, 340) and LGST 301. Note: students may receive credit for only one of LGST 201 or PLGL 201.

Related courses

Frequently asked questions

Why is LGST 201 such an important prerequisite?

LGST 201 requires LGST 200, and is itself the required prerequisite for nearly every upper-division Legal Studies course — Torts (312), Domestic Relations (315), Estates and Probate (316), Criminal Law and Procedures (320), Litigation (325), Administrative Law (330), Contract Law (340), and Advanced Legal Writing (301).

Can another course substitute for LGST 201?

Students may receive credit for only one of LGST 201 or PLGL 201, since they are the same course under different program numbering.