Legal Writing

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ISBN: 9780827375390 | 0827375395
Cover: Paperback
Copyright: 1/7/1997

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The importance of communication in the legal environment cannot be underestimated. Effectively using the written word in dealings with clients, legal adversaries, the court, and interoffice communication is vital to ensuring a successful legal career. It examines research strategies and explains when to stop researching and start writing. Each of the five most common forms of legal writing are discussed from briefs to transaction documents. The final section explores methodology, style, editing and publishing the document.

Preface

xiii

CHAPTER 1: Introduction to Legal Writing

(29)

1.1 Variety of Legal Documents

(6)

Litigation Documents

(3)

Briefs

(1)

Memoranda

(1)

Transaction Documents

(1)

Correspondence

(1)

1.2 The Importance of Legal Writing Skills

(1)

1.3 Characteristics of Legal Writing

(7)

The Author

(1)

The Audience

(3)

The Writing

(2)

The Speech Community

(1)

1.4 The Rules of Construction

(3)

The Consistency Principles

(1)

The Specific Limits the General

(1)

Context Clues

(1)

Intended Omissions

(1)

1.5 The Counterrules of Construction

(2)

1.6 Applying Writing Skills to the Legal Writing Process

(9)

Beyond Technical Writing

(1)

Learning About Your Subject Matter

(7)

CHAPTER 2: The Prewriting Process

(22)

2.1 The Importance of the Prewriting Process

(1)

2.2 Stages of the Prewriting Process

(18)

Identifying the Source Law

(7)

Reading the Law

(6)

Analyzing the Law

(2)

Applying the Law

(1)

Evaluating the Law

(1)

2.3 Tips for the Prewriting Process

(3)

CHAPTER 3: Structure in Legal Documents

(15)

3.1 The Design of a Legal Document

(2)

Omit Nothing Important

(1)

Add Nothing Superfluous

(1)

Use Parallel Structure

(1)

3.2 Outline: The Basics of Design

(7)

Division

(1)

Classification

(1)

Sequencing

(1)

The Importance of Headings

(1)

A Basic Outline for Memoranda and Briefs

(1)

Paragraph Design

(2)

3.3 Sentence Structure

(5)

Vary Sentence Length

(1)

Vary Sentence Type

(1)

Use Sentences to Create Special Effects

(4)

CHAPTER 4: Diseases of Legal Writing

(21)

4.1 Avoid Ambiguity

(2)

Words with Multiple Meanings

(1)

Syntax Problems

(1)

Vagueness

(1)

4.2 Avoid Inconsistency

(1)

The Ultraquistic Subterfuge

(1)

The Elegant Variation

(1)

4.3 Avoid Redundant Pairs

(1)

4.4 Avoid Noun and Verb Strings

(1)

4.5 Avoid The Vague Referent

(2)

Specific Troublesome Words and Phrases

(1)

4.6 Avoid Legal Jargon

(1)

4.7 Learn the Difference Between Shall and May

(2)

The Proper Use of Shall

(1)

The Proper Use of May

(1)

4.8 Know How to Use and and or

(1)

Do not use and/or

(1)

4.9 Avoid Problem Modifiers

(5)

The Unnecessary Modifier

(2)

The Squinting Modifier

(1)

Successive Prepositions

(1)

The Use of and or or with Adjectives or Adjective Phrases

(1)

Terminal Because Clause

(1)

The Vague Participle

(1)

4.10 The Importance of Spotting Diseased Writing

(4)

CHAPTER 5: Style: Polishing Your Writing

(20)

5.1 Build Sentences Around Verbs

(1)

Avoid Overuse of Inert Verbs

(1)

Avoid Superfluous Verbs

(1)

5.2 Choose Active Rather than Passive Voice

(2)

Active Voice Identifies the Person Responsible for an Action

(1)

Active Voice Aids Readability

(1)

When to Use the Passive Voice

(1)

5.3 Do Not Overuse Prepositional Phrases

(1)

5.4 Avoid Fat Nouns

(1)

The Nominalized Noun

(1)

The Superfluous Noun

(1)

5.5 Be Positive, Not Negative

(1)

Negatives Convey Imprecision

(1)

Negatives Emphasize Important Points

(1)

5.6 Use Correct Tense

(1)

Briefs and Memoranda

(1)

Transaction Documents

(1)

5.7 Think Singular (Even When Using Plural)

(1)

5.8 Use Third Person Except for Correspondence

(1)

Transaction Documents

(1)

Correspondence

(1)

5.9 Use Nonsexist Language

(2)

Avoid Standard "Gender Definition" Paragraphs

(1)

Replace Gender Pronouns

(1)

5.10 Avoid Intrusive Words

(1)

Keep the Subject and Verb Together

(1)

Keep Objects with Their Verbs and Prepositions

(1)

5.11 Put Modifiers in Their Place

(1)

Split Infinitive Only to Prevent Ambiguity

100

(1)

Use Familiar Words

100

(1)

5.12 Omit Needless Words

100

(4)

Intensifiers

100

(3)

The Unnecessary Windup

103

(1)

Words Between the and of

103

(1)

5.13 Include All Necessary Words

104

(1)

That

104

(1)

The Whiz Deletion

104

(1)

5.14 Write Naturally

105

(3)

CHAPTER 6: Editing

108

(25)

6.1 The Difference Between Macro and Micro Editing

109

(1)

6.2 Macro Editing

110

(4)

Is the Tone Appropriate?

110

(1)

Is the Writing Coherent?

111

(2)

Is the Writing Complete?

113

(1)

Does the Document Comply with All Laws?

114

(1)

6.3 Micro Editing

114

(15)

Check Style

114

(1)

Check Spelling

115

(1)

Check Word Usage

116

(2)

Check Grammar

118

(2)

Check Punctuation

120

(2)

Check Pronoun Reference

122

(1)

Check Capitalization

123

(1)

Check Enumeration

124

(1)

Check Dates, Ages, and Weights

125

(1)

Check Definitions

126

(1)

Check Citations

127

(1)

Check Quotations

128

(1)

6.4 Some Final Editing

129

(1)

Edit and Reedit

129

(1)

Shorten the Document

129

(1)

Proofreading Symbols

129

(1)

6.5 Conclusion: The Importance of the Redraft

129

(4)

CHAPTER 7: Litigation Documents

133

(29)

7.1 Background of Pleading Practice

134

(2)

Common Law Pleading

134

(1)

Code Pleading

135

(1)

Notice Pleading

135

(1)

7.2 Distinction Between Pleadings and Motions

136

(2)

Pleadings

137

(1)

Motions

138

(1)

7.3 Form of Court Documents

138

(3)

Caption

139

(1)

Introductory Paragraph

139

(1)

Recitation of Basis of Relief Sought

139

(1)

Demand or Prayer

140

(1)

Certificate of Service

140

(1)

7.4 The Importance of Deadlines

141

(1)

7.5 The Tools of the Litigation Professional

142

(3)

Court Rule

142

(1)

Form Books

143

(2)

7.6 Guidelines for Preparing Legal Documents

145

(2)

Be Precise and Accurate

145

(1)

Develop the Facts

146

(1)

7.7 Write Simply and Directly

147

(1)

7.8 Sample Pleadings and Motions

148

(3)

The Complaint

149

(1)

The Summons

150

(1)

Responding to the Complaint

150

(1)

7.9 Discovery Practice

151

(1)

7.10 Other Pretrial Motions

152

(1)

7.11 Preparation for Trial

153

(9)

CHAPTER 8: Legal Correspondence

162

(15)

8.1 Functions of Legal Correspondence

163

(3)

To Seek Information

163

(1)

To Persuade

164

(1)

To Provide Information

164

(1)

To Threaten

165

(1)

To Record Information

166

(1)

8.2 Effective Letter Writing

166

(3)

Guidelines for Effective Letter Writing

167

(2)

8.3 The Format of Letters

169

(3)

The Legal Business Letter

169

(3)

8.4 Examples of Legal Correspondence

172

(5)

Settlement Letters

173

(1)

Report Letters

174

(1)

Demand Letters

174

(1)

Opinion Letters

174

(3)

CHAPTER 9: Transaction Documents

177

(26)

9.1 Putting Together Legal Relationships

178

(7)

Objectives of the Parties

179

(1)

Functions of Transaction Documents

179

(1)

Legal and Ethical Considerations

180

(2)

The Details of the Transaction

182

(1)

Practical Considerations

183

(2)

9.2 Volunteering to Draft the Document

185

(1)

Advantages of Drafting the Document

185

(1)

Disadvantages of Drafting the Document

185

(1)

9.3 Consulting Checklists and Form Books

185

(5)

Use of Checklists

186

(1)

Use of Forms

186

(4)

9.4 The Components of the Document

190

(3)

Preamble

191

(1)

Recitals

191

(1)

Consideration

192

(1)

Operative Provisions

193

(1)

The Parties' Signatures

193

(1)

The Importance of Logical Structure

193

(1)

9.5 Examples of Transaction Documents

193

(10)

Bills of Sale

193

(2)

Deeds

195

(1)

Corporate Documents

195

(1)

Promissory Notes

195

(4)

Leases

199

(1)

Contract for the Sale of Real Estate

200

(3)

CHAPTER 10: Legal Memoranda

203

(21)

10.1 What Is a Memorandum?

204

(1)

10.2 Preparing to Write a Memorandum--Some General Guidelines

205

(2)

Give a Neutral Analysis

205

(1)

Get Sufficient Instructions

205

(1)

Ascertain the Objectives of the Memorandum

206

(1)

Learn the Facts

206

(1)

Gather the Source Authority

206

(1)

Organize the Issues

206

(1)

10.3 Form of the Memorandum

207

(13)

Facts of the Memorandum

207

(2)

Issues in the Memorandum

209

(2)

The Discussion Section of the Memorandum

211

(7)

The Conclusion of the Memorandum

218

(2)

10.4 Style of the Memorandum

220

(1)

10.5 A Sample Memorandum

221

(3)

CHAPTER 11: Legal Briefs

224

(24)

11.1 Types of Briefs

226

(1)

Trial Briefs

226

(1)

Appellate Briefs

226

(1)

Other Briefs

227

(1)

11.2 Brief Writing Process

227

(1)

11.3 Form and Content of a Brief

228

(15)

Table of Contents

228

(1)

Table of Authority

228

(3)

Jurisdictional Statement

231

(1)

Statement of the Facts

231

(3)

Statement of the Case

234

(2)

The Issues

236

(2)

Argument

238

(5)

The Conclusion Section

243

(1)

11.4 Style of a Brief

243

(2)

Rules for Effective Brief Writing

244

(1)

11.5 Response or Reply Brief

245

(1)

11.6 A Sample Brief

246

(2)

Appendices

248

(141)

Glossary

389

(4)

Index

393

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Legal Writing

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Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials