Legal Writing

Merriam-Webster editor shares the ‘Secret Life of Dictionaries’ (podcast)

What do lawyers and lexicographers have in common? The main job of both is to determine the meaning of words.

In this episode of the Modern Law Library, the ABA Journal's Lee Rawles talks with Kory Stamper about her work as a lexicographer and editor for Merriam-Webster; her new book, Word by Word: The Secret Life of Dictionaries; and her position as chief defender of the word "irregardless."

Jul 19, 2017 8:30 AM CDT

Learn the fundamentals of writing first—experiment later

It’s often said that you must know the rules before you break them. But why is that, exactly?

Jul 1, 2017 1:20 AM CDT

How to write powerful closers

If, in persuasive writing, your opening words must arouse your reader’s attention, your closing words must somehow prompt your reader to act.

May 1, 2017 1:40 AM CDT

Law review author says she isn’t bothered by Gorsuch’s use of similar sentences in book

The author of a 1984 Indiana Law Journal article says she isn’t troubled by U.S. Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch’s use of sentences that closely track her own in his book on assisted suicide.

Apr 5, 2017 10:40 AM CDT

As most-cited songwriter, Bob Dylan brings complex poetry to court opinions

Bob Dylan is, by far, the most-cited songwriter or popular artist in American judicial opinions. And these citations are not merely add-ons or throwaways.

Apr 1, 2017 2:50 AM CDT

Make motions more powerful by writing openers that focus on ‘deep issues’

An effective opener involves stating the problem to be solved. After all, what is a motion? It’s a request to resolve a specific problem by entering a specific order.

Apr 1, 2017 2:30 AM CDT

Mystery and thriller writers tell the stories of the wrongfully convicted in new book

They’ve confessed to murders they didn’t commit, were mistakenly identified by unreliable witnesses, and have been convicted on phony evidence and false testimony. Many endured decades in prison before the truth would set them free.Every one of the wrongfully convicted has a compelling story, and a group of top-notch mystery…

Mar 1, 2017 4:30 AM CST

6 more leading trial lawyers share secrets of effective opening statements

Most of us know the elements of an effective opening statement: Tell a good story, weaving the evidence with themes that will resonate with the jurors’ common sense and life experiences. But what’s the best way to do that? Bang the table or shoot the breeze? Attack immediately or hold your fire? Most important, how can you connect with the jury—a panel of strangers who can’t talk back but who will determine the fate of your case?

Mar 1, 2017 3:30 AM CST

Gorsuch could be more conservative than Justice Clarence Thomas, study concludes

If U.S. Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch wins confirmation, he could be the most conservative justice on the U.S. Supreme Court, according to an analysis by two political science professors. Their study examined U.S. Supreme Court cases that reviewed opinions by the Denver-based 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals after…

Feb 15, 2017 9:22 AM CST

Gorsuch writes reader-grabbing opinions with fact summaries that are ‘a form of wry nonfiction’

The late Justice Antonin Scalia was known for his memorable legal writing, filling his opinions with little-used words such as “argle-bargle” and barbs aimed at those who disagree with him. The judge nominated to take his place, Neil Gorsuch of the Denver-based 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, also has…

Feb 1, 2017 9:43 AM CST

One Word: Civility

We need to heed lessons of the past and lead efforts to promote civil discourse

Feb 1, 2017 3:40 AM CST

Legendary litigators share their advice on crafting your best opening statement

Read what the most renowned trial lawyers in the United States say are their secrets to a great opening.

Feb 1, 2017 2:20 AM CST

How life lessons from a legendary golf instructor can improve lawyers’ litigation scores

Years ago when I was playing competitive golf in junior tournaments throughout Texas and Oklahoma, my coach was the great Harvey Penick of Austin, Texas. He was the gentlest imaginable coach, always saying, “Why don’t you try this?” or “Why don’t you try that?”

Feb 1, 2017 2:00 AM CST

Posner criticizes ‘verbosity’ in appeals briefs in decision upholding closed voir dire

It didn’t take much more than seven pages for Judge Richard Posner of the Chicago-based 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to explain why he was upholding the convictions of two Wisconsin defendants. The Jan. 5 opinion spilled over into the eighth page because of a final paragraph in which…

Jan 9, 2017 7:00 AM CST

Obama publishes a Harvard Law Review article on criminal justice reform

President Obama apparently found time to write a law review article as he wrapped up his presidency. Obama was once president of the Harvard Law Review, and he wrote an article published by the review on Thursday titled “The President’s Role in Advancing Criminal Justice Reform,” report Law.com (sub. req.),…

Jan 6, 2017 9:00 AM CST