I found a link to Academic Legal Writing by way of a link from How Appealing.

The forward reveals a common challenge faced by writers, not just legal writers . .

Why do so many published student papers fail in their essential purpose? (The same question might well be asked about non‑student academic writing.) The simple answer is that most students have no clue what to write about, or how to go about writing it. Finding a useful and interesting topic; determining the scope of the paper; developing a thesis and testing its viability; avoiding sudden death through preemption; and getting it placed in the best possible journal—these are among the tasks that most students aren’t trained to perform.

The question I might ask is whether a law school may remain passive and merely judge the results of writers as they plod through school, or do they have an obligation to actively intervene to coach and guide? What if they conclude too early that it was a waste of time to reject a particular writer . . ? Is there hope of rehabilitation?; And the all important second chance that has never been offered? What if the Dean (and former professor) simply says, move on, move along . . ? I do not yet have the answer.

Now, after my pity point, I wonder if I might get a complimentary copy of the book to see whether it might help me be more capable at persuasion through reason (hint, hint, hint) I added a link to your site (hint, hint, hint) . . . I might be a perfect test case to vindicate the usefulness of the book . . .

This is not a new concern, writing that is, you can even check an earlier post on this blog titled "Blogging is Like Sharing a Few Shots of Tequila?"

Who knows if Eugene Volokh will even pass my way . .