In Brief – Legal English for Brazilian Lawyers

Blog Post #3 – How to Sound More Natural in Client Emails in English

Writing emails in English is part of many lawyers’ day-to-day work. But even lawyers with strong English skills often feel unsure about tone—especially when writing to foreign clients or international colleagues.

The result? Emails that sound too formal, robotic, or overly translated from Portuguese.

Here’s the good news: you don’t need to be a native speaker to sound natural. You just need the right strategies—and a few go-to phrases.

What Tone Should I Use?

In most international legal communication, especially with clients, the goal is to be:

• Clear and professional
• Polite but not overly formal
• Friendly, but not too casual

Think of it as “business-casual” English. You don’t need flowery language or legalese—just clarity and confidence.

That said, tone also depends on the culture of the person you’re writing to.
For example:

• American and UK firms tend to prefer straightforward, polite, and slightly informal writing.
• German or Swiss clients might expect more formality and structure.
• Brazilian readers might be used to warmer greetings and longer introductions.

The key is awareness: match your tone to the audience without losing clarity or professionalism.

Common Pitfalls

Here are a few examples of phrases that sound off in English and how to fix them:

These changes may seem small, but they make a big difference in tone.

Practical Tips

• Start with a friendly opening:
  “Hope you’re well.” / “Thanks for getting in touch.” / “It was great speaking with you.”
• Be concise:
  Avoid long intros or unnecessary repetition. Be direct, but polite.
• Use short, clear sentences:
  This helps avoid misunderstandings—especially when the reader is not a native English speaker.
• End with a helpful tone:
  “Please let me know if you need anything else.” / “Happy to clarify if needed.” / “Looking forward to your feedback.”

Legal English Tip of the Week: Subject Position in Sentences

In English, the subject normally comes first, and this makes writing feel more direct and readable.

Compare:

• ✅ We reviewed the draft and made some changes.
• ❌ Some changes have been made to the draft by us.

Use active voice where possible. It feels more natural, especially in emails and reports.

Expert Tip: Build your own email phrase bank. Save useful phrases you read or hear in context and practice adapting them to your own writing. This helps you gain fluency over time.

Whether you’re drafting a short update or writing to clarify a complex point, I can help you sharpen your Legal English and sound more confident in client communication.

Whether you’re working on your own skills or leading a team, I can help you apply Legal English more confidently. Reach out to learn more.