Ben Crump to Law Students: Master English, Be Prepared, and Bring Passion to Civil Rights Litigation
Prominent civil rights attorney Ben Crump is urging aspiring lawyers not to underestimate one of the most basic — yet essential — tools for success in the legal profession: mastery of the English language.
In a recent discussion with law students, Crumpexplained that precision in both written and spoken wordcan determine whether an argument is compelling before it ever reaches the courtroom.
“Before the court ever hears from you or sees you, what they first hear are your pleadings,”Crump said.“You want to make sure your pleadings are engaging, persuasive, and grammatical.”
Beyond writing, Crump stressed that preparation is non-negotiable. He advises law students and young attorneys to know their cases more thoroughly than the judge, opposing counsel, or even their own clients.
“Every presentation is an opportunity to persuade the trier of fact or the trier of law. And when opportunity comes knocking, you better be prepared to answer,”he noted.
But for Crump, legal acumen alone is not enough. He underscored that the driving force in civil rights law must bepassion— a relentless commitment to clients and to justice.
Recalling his work on high-profile cases involvingGeorge Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Trayvon Martin, and Sonia Massey, Crump said passion was the defining factor behind his team’s success.
“It’s that passion to use this law as an instrument for good and fight against those who use it as a weapon for evil,”he explained.
Crump’s message serves as both inspiration and a practical roadmap for the next generation of attorneys.
His advice highlights a fundamental truth of the profession: that law is not only a technical discipline, but also a moral calling, particularly in the realm of civil rights.
