As law schools nationwide prepare to open their doors for another academic year, a seasoned lawyer has penned an open letter offering both inspiration and a unique piece of advice to incoming and returning law students: start writing.

The letter begins with a reflection on the excitement and nerves that accompany the first days of law school, whether it's attending the first class or returning with a year or more of experience under your belt. The writer confesses to envying the students, not for the exams or the cold calls, but for the opportunity that lies before them—an opportunity that was not available to earlier generations.

In the hustle of orientations and networking, amidst the barrage of advice on study habits and internships, the author introduces a simple yet profound suggestion: start writing. This is not about becoming an influencer or gaining followers, but about becoming a better lawyer. The letter challenges the traditional view that writing is something lawyers do after they become experts. Instead, it posits that writing about what you're learning, as you're learning, is a powerful tool to enhance understanding and legal skills.

Explaining complex cases in plain language, summarizing Supreme Court opinions for laymen, and addressing unexpected questions exposes and fills the gaps in one's knowledge, the letter explains. Writing not only improves legal skills but also hones one's ability to think clearly and communicate effectively without hiding behind jargon—qualities that are highly valued in the legal profession by clients, judges, and partners alike.

The writer underscores that being a good communicator has always been a hallmark of great lawyers, and while the platforms may have changed, the importance of clear communication remains. They encourage students not to be deterred by a lack of readership in the early stages, sharing from personal experience that perseverance in writing is not just practice for social media but for law itself.

As law students stand on the threshold of their careers, the letter offers them a choice: to merely collect grades and experiences or to find and hone their voice through writing. This choice, the writer believes, could define their careers.

The letter closes by expressing a wish that if given a chance to start over, the writer would focus on finding their voice from the very first week of classes, underscoring the lasting impact of effective communication in law and beyond. This heartfelt advice seems not only a reflection but a beacon for the next generation of legal professionals.