Testimonials
The following are only a few samples of past participants' and critics' comments on Garner and his classes.
* Click on a name to play video.
- Charles Osgood on The Tonight Show
- Prof. Ross Davies
Editor, The Green Bag
George Mason University School of Law
Washington D.C. - Theodore B. Olson
Former Solicitor General of the United States
Washington D.C. - Bradley J. Butwin
Partner, O'Melveny & Myers
New York City - William E. Wegner
Litigation Partner, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher
Los Angeles - Hon. John Cornyn
U.S. Senator
Washington, D.C.
“Garner is a silver-penned legal-writing specialist who is, among other things, the editor of Black's Law Dictionary . . . . He revels in his role as the persnickety stylist for a linguistically challenged profession.”
— New York Times
“Be sure to attend any legal-writing seminars that are available. I have been to many and always learn something. The best is Bryan Garner; even if you have to travel to hear him, it will be well worth the trip.”
— Judge Mark P. Painter, The Legal Writer (2d ed. 2003)
“Bryan Garner is a genius”
— David Foster Wallace, Consider the Lobster (2005)
“Providing a systematic approach to improved legal writing, Bryan Garner offers advice on how to avoid the 'age-old cycle of poor legal writing.'”
— Harvard Law Review
“Garner is the leading authority on good legal writing. He lays down good rules, and he teaches a mean seminar. He also is a good role model. He writes well.”
— The Green Bag
“Garner is the Prosser of legal writing.”
— Trial
“Recently, we attended a two-day presentation on legal writing, which was one of the best programs of continuing legal education we have ever experienced. Bryan Garner . . . is not only the preeminent expert in America on good legal writing, he is an outstanding teacher . . . . Bryan is very quick on his feet and uses humor well. He keeps the classes lively. This is one CLE program that is worth the fee and the two days of your professional life.”
— ABA Appellate Practice Journal
“Excellent course! I wish I had taken this course years ago. This is the most practical CLE course I have attended, and I've been in practice for over 20 years!”
— Chris Brumfield, Los Angeles
“It's inspiring. This is my second Winning Brief seminar. Both times, I have left striving to become a better writer and lawyer.”
— Joshua R. Forest, Fennemore Craig, Phoenix
“Overall, this was probably the best seminar I've attended, and I've been a lawyer since 1966. I loved it. Not a dull moment.”
— Richard Cummings, IRS Office of Chief Counsel, Houston
“I cannot express how much I enjoyed this program. Already an interested 'word-smither,' I will leave the program today with new ammo for my arsenal and the prospect of joyful sessions spent perfecting my prose.”
— Lynn Dodds, Minneapolis
“This is the first seminar I've sat all the way through. I can't wait to write my next paper.”
— Robert Yoakum, San Diego
“Great and useful seminar. It's one of the best I've attended in 35 years as a trial lawyer.”
— Paul L. Rein, Oakland
“Bryan took a dry subject that most lawyers dread and made me excited to return to my office to start writing.”
— Don Crawford, Paul Hastings Janofsky & Walker, Atlanta
“An excellent presentation. It was informative, it kept me awake and interested, and I learned in the process. I wish I could spend more time in this type of seminar.”
— Ruth Sovronsky, New York
“Greatly needed class — especially for the legal profession. I loved his humor.”
— Isabella Alasti, Department of Toxic Substances Control, Los Angeles
“Informative and entertaining. Mr. Garner's presentation is straightforward and precise. The program was a good investment of my time.”
— Alex Khoury, Hunton & Williams, Atlanta
“Better than I expected, and I came in with high expectations.”
— Nate Coppernoll, Paul Hastings Janofsky & Walker, Atlanta
“This CLE exceeded my expectations. Mr. Garner energizes legal writing, which is no easy task.”
— Alisha Huls, Gallop Johnson & Neuman, St. Louis
“Everything is beneficial. This has been the most useful legal workshop that I've ever attended.”
— Shanell Parrish-Brown, KeySpan Corporation, New York
“The lecture was excellent and very entertaining.”
— Justin Ruggieri, Tucson
“This is a fantastic course that brings lawyers back to the real world of prose.”
— Ray Goodwin, Cary, NC
“Mr. Garner is a wonderful speaker, and his emphasis on both small matters and big-picture principles was fantastic. Lots to apply and think about in writing.”
— William Pettit, Michigan Attorney General's Office
“I think Bryan is a very impressive presenter, as well as a great teacher. His humor adds much life to what generally is regarded as a rather dry subject.”
— Donna Peavler, Dallas
“I thought the seminar was fabulous! He covered so much information in such a short period!”
— Jen Blackburn, Troutman Sanders, Atlanta
“Bryan was funny and engaging. He should give seminars on how to give seminars!”
— Jim Pikl, Dallas
“It is always a treat to hear Bryan. I always come away enthusiastic and full of new ideas and resolve.”
— Linda McDowell, Michigan Attorney General’s Office
“This was probably the most useful and entertaining CLE I have attended.”
— Jason Grech, Atlanta
“Bryan dispelled many myths about the dos and don’ts of writing. I’m confident my writing skills will improve dramatically because of this course.”
— J. Kelso Lindsay, Bergkuist Bergkuist & Carter, San Diego
“This program provides an excellent overview of the most typical problems found in modern legal writing. It also explains the added power and persuasiveness that can be gained by making what seem to be relatively minor changes in one’s writing.”
— Sarah E. Heineman, Detroit
“All was helpful. Bryan teaches with real enthusiasm — and it’s contagious!”
— Moseley Collins, El Dorado Hills, CA
“Excellent — I would come again! His love for language is infectious!”
— Mike Bulson, Utah Legal Services, Ogden, UT
“Wonderful seminar. Very engaging, practical — real world. Excellent.”
— Jody Moore, Oxnard, CA
“I am not an attorney — I am a CPA — but I do write tax memos. I found every word of the seminar to be useful in analyzing my own writing skills and tone. This course is useful for anyone who writes analytically and persuasively in their careers.”
— Jason Heckel, Ernst & Young, Seattle
"I would and will recommend this class to everyone."
— Steven R. Wedeking, San Diego
"Bryan Garner is an excellent writing instructor, combining knowledge, wit, and instructive examples to make his points. The class is so enjoyable and entertaining you barely realize you've learned a whole book's worth of information in just one short day."
— Victoria Botvin, government attorney, Washington, DC