The Art of Litigation » Legal Writing

The Original Bluebook

Woodruff — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 13:30:05 +0000

It was much shorter than the current 500-plus page monstrosity known as the 19th edition.

Vocabularies Gone Wild

Woodruff — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 14:36:02 +0000

This Wall Street Journal blog post illustrates why plain language is necessary for effective communication. You have failed to communicate if you client, judge, opposing counsel, clerk, associate, or causal reader needs to use a dictionary to understand what you have written. Such a verbose style makes reading a chore and understanding a questionable endeavor.

Bryan Garner

Woodruff — Sun, 10 Oct 2010 00:32:20 +0000

For those looking to improve their legal writing there is no better source than Bryan Garner. I recommend legal writers view all the videos provided on his website. The interrogated range from Supreme Court justices to practicing lawyers and writers.

Look to Hollywood and Madison Avenue for Inspiration

Woodruff — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 21:47:28 +0000

One of the key components to a good case is a theme. The theme should speak to the judge or jury. It does not need to be long or complicated, a simple sentence works best. For example, everyone remembers Johnnie Cochran’s “if it doesn’t fit, you must acquit.”

If you are not creative, or have hit a wall in the creative process, look to Hollywood and Madison Avenue for inspiration. Billions of dollars are spent by the movie and advertising industries to create messages used to sell stories and products. Watch television commercials, successful movies, and advertisements to help get the creative juices flowing. You might even find your theme.