comprehension is the same as critical reading . But interacting deeply with legal texts is the first step of interpretation , synthesis , and analysis . Skimping on that step leads to poor communication , no matter how beautiful the prose , punctuation , or citations .
What is the most essential legal writing skill you hope students in your class carry with them into their legal careers ?
How to write for their audience . Attorneys can be experts on statutes , regulations , and case law , but if they don ’ t understand how to explain it to their intended audience in the most effective manner or how to highlight what ’ s most important to their audience about that law , it ’ s harder to be successful .
Biggest pet peeve when it comes to legal writing ?
Sloppiness . The one thing law students can always control is the presentation . Follow the directions for the format . Use proper grammar , punctuation , and capitalization . Perfect the citations . Use the same font size , indentations , and color throughout . Pay attention to the numbering on sections and headings . Those are small things , but the reader makes assumptions about the writer ’ s efforts and analysis based on the sloppiness of the document .
Now on to some classic debates :
• One or two spaces after a period ? Only one .
• The Oxford comma – yes or no ? Yes , in all statutes , regulations , motions , and other legal documents .
• Starting a sentence with a conjunction ? And it ’ s a yes from me .
• Ending a sentence with a preposition ? I ’ ve never seen what the fuss was about .
• Using contractions in briefs ? It ’ s a risk . Why take it ?
Lastly , what is one piece of legal writing advice you have for practitioners ?
If you struggle with crafting citations using the “ Bluebook ,” which was written for academic writing , you don ’ t have to . As a law student , I first learned how to create citations from the “ ALWD Guide to Legal Citation ” and then learned how to use the “ Bluebook .” It amazed me that anyone would prefer the “ Bluebook ,” which was unnecessarily complicated for practitioners and didn ’ t address so many legal sources that practitioners cite . The “ ALWD Guide ,” however , is much simpler , addresses sources not contemplated in the “ Bluebook ,” and has more examples and templates . And because the “ ALWD Guide ” and the “ Bluebook ” result in the exact same citations , no one will know which one you used to draft citations .
Please join us in extending a warm North Dakota welcome to Professor Williams !
SUMMER 2022 31