With the legal market tightening, you’ll want to do more this summer than avoid spilling champagne all over a partner’s yacht. When you sail back from that social event to find a major writing project on your desk, strive to steer your memo around common misunderstandings that have made for rocky summers in the past.

As a writing trainer for nearly 100 of the nation’s top law firms, I’ve learned firsthand how to help summer associates succeed. Here are some of my tips: