by first name in informal communications . In formal legal documents , introduce the individual with their first and last name . Then in subsequent references , use the person ’ s last name only .
And for legal writers who worry that introducing the gender-neutral singular they into legal documents will confuse or distract readers , do as a legal writing professor in a 2018 issue of Arizona Attorney suggests , “ drop a footnote explaining the reasons behind your pronoun usage to your audience .” 11 For example , “ X uses the pronoun they ” or as the Sixth Circuit noted in one of its opinions , “[ w ] e refer to Stephens using female pronouns , in accordance with the preference she has expressed .” 12
grammatically correct , communicate clearly and accurately , and uphold the judicial system ’ s bedrock principles of respect , civility , and equity .
1 . Suzanne E . Rowe , As Language Evolves Pronouns Leap Forward : They / Them / Theirs , OR . STATE BAR BULL ., Jan . 2020 , at 18 . 2 . Id . 3 . Merriam-Webster Dictionary Online , https :// www . merriam-webster . com / dictionary / nonbinary ( last visited Jan . 9 , 2022 ).
4 . Heidi K . Brown , Get with the Pronoun , 17 LEGAL
COMM . & RHETORIC : JALWD 61 , 64-65 ( 2020 ). 5 . Rowe , supra note 1 , at 18 . 6 . Id . 7 . Brown , supra note 4 , at 77 . 8 . Id . 9 . Rowe , supra note 1 , at 18 . 10 . Id . 11 . Brown , supra note 4 , at 97 . 12 . Id .
13 . Id . at 93-98 . New York and California are among the first states to amend their laws .
14 . Id . at . 63-64 . Corporations like Facebook , United Airlines , Netflix , Lyft , TIAA Financial Services and others recognize the singular they in customer and employee communications . 15 . Id . at 79-81 . 16 . Id . at 89-96 .
Engender Equity
As legal writing and English language experts , writing style manuals and guides shift toward the use of the singular they as a non-binary gender proper name substitute , state legislatures and courts are doing the same . 13 So too are Big Law firms , Fortune 500 corporations , and higher education institutions . 14 Lawmakers amended laws to replace commonly found masculine pronouns like he with gender-neutral words like person , individual , or spouse . 15 Factfinders and decision-makers revamped local court rules regarding hearings and pleadings to account for a less masculineforward profession and society . 16 For example , individuals are now referred to as chairperson or chair ( not chairman ), jury foreperson ( not foreman ), businessperson ( not businessman ), police officer ( not policeman ), member of Congress ( not Congressman ), or layperson ( not layman ).
This long overdue shift not only engenders equity for people who identify as non-binary , but also for those who identify as female . After all , it is no secret that language , intentional or not , communicates an implicit hierarchy of the sexes that is outdated and on its way out .
Legal writers that conscientiously use the power of pronouns , specifically the singular they , in their pleadings , e-mails , letters , judicial opinions , or proposed legislation are
Is pleased to announce the following Associates to the firm :
Martha Amdahl practices in the firm ’ s Williston office . Her practice focuses on commercial and tort litigation . Martha received her J . D . from the University of North Dakota and joined the firm in 2021 .
Teddy Boyer practices in the firm ’ s Bismarck office . His practice focuses on commercial transactions and creditors rights . Teddy Received his J . D . from the University of North Dakota and joined the firm in 2021 .
W . Logan Caldwell practices in the firm ' s Bismarck office . His practice focuses on commercial litigation and natural resources . Logan received his J . D . from the University of North Dakota and joined the firm in 2021 .
The firm also welcomes : Brett Armine ( Missoula , MT ), Madeline Clarke ( Billings , MT ), Robert Joki ( Billings , MT ), Matt Peterson ( Helena , MT ), Lars Phillips ( Bozeman , MT ), Kari Hartman ( Cheyenne , WY ) and Saige Smith ( Sheridan , WY )
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