Most people do not realize that you can handwrite most legal filings and they will be accepted. This gem from long ago is a classic example of how not to do this. I hope you enjoy this petition from the Great State of Texas. Texas Divorce
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Legal Writing
Texas Divorce Petition
A Motion to Dismiss to Remember
Sometimes lawyers get board and think they are romance novelists. MTD Yacht(function() { var scribd = document.createElement("script"); scribd.type = "text/javascript"; scribd.async = true; scribd.src = "http://www.scribd.com/javascripts/embed_code/inject.js"; var s = document.getElementsByTagName("script"); s.parentNode.insertBefore(scribd, s); })();
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Justice Roberts on Legal Writing
Added bonus: http://www.lawyerclock.com/
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The Original Bluebook
It was much shorter than the current 500-plus page monstrosity known as the 19th edition. Original Bluebook(function() { var scribd = document.createElement("script"); scribd.type = "text/javascript"; scribd.async = true; scribd.src = "http://www.scribd.com/javascripts/embed_code/inject.js"; var s = document.getElementsByTagName("script"); s.parentNode.insertBefore(scribd, s); })();
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Legal Writing 201
Judge Painter would like to share with you some thoughts on writing. I suggest you follow his advice. Legal Writing 201(function() { var scribd = document.createElement("script"); scribd.type = "text/javascript"; scribd.async = true; scribd.src = "http://www.scribd.com/javascripts/embed_code/inject.js"; var s = document.getElementsByTagName("script"); s.parentNode.insertBefore(scribd, s); })();
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Incomprehensible
Judges and their staffs deal with immense case loads. Knowing this, you should always be mindful of their time when preparing motions. Always proofread your motions for both grammar and content before submitting them to the court. Otherwise, you might get an order from the court quoting a rather insulting line from a very...
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Orthogonal
Sometimes lawyers can get carried away with words. This appears to have been the case during oral arguments in Briscoe v. Virginia. MR. FRIEDMAN: I think that issue is entirely orthogonal to the issue here because the Commonwealth is acknowledging - CHIEF JUSTICE ROBERTS: I’m sorry. Entirely what? MR. FRIEDMAN: Orthogonal. Right angle. Unrelated....
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How Not to Write a Motion for Rehearing
You know there will be trouble when the first paragraph in a motion is “Oh.” 5D06-4243
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Moments in the History of Pleadings
Pleadings can take many forms. Sometimes these documents are not the most professional. Here is an example of one of those unprofessional pleadings. It was handwritten and filed by a Texas lawyer back in 1985. texasdivorce
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