Tech Tools for Better Editing, Part 1

When it comes to editing, many lawyers prefer to use nothing more than a red pen and their knowledge and experience. These days, however, there are many software tools that can speed up your editing and improve your writing. To some attorneys, computer-aided editing may seem unnecessary, burdensome, or even unprofessional—akin to “cheating.” But if there are things that can help you do better work for your clients in less time, why would you not want to use them? Over the next two columns, we’ll discuss some accessible tech tools that can help you analyze and improve your writing. In this first column, we’ll explore how to maximize Microsoft Word’s built-in editing features. And in the next column, we’ll explore some newer, more robust software programs that can help take your writing to the next level.