Legal Writing and Other Lawyering Skills

by Schultz, Nancy Lusignan; Sirico, Louis J.

• ISBN13: 9780820531205
• ISBN10: 0820531200
• Edition: 3rd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1998-04-01
• Publisher: Lexis Nexis Matthew Bender

Table of Contents

Part I: INTRODUCTION
Overview
Introduction	1	(1)
The Legal System and Legal Analysis	1	(1)
Types of Legal Writing	2	(2)
The Case Brief	2	(1)
The Memorandum	2	(1)
The Client Opinion Letter	2	(1)
The Settlement Agreement	2	(1)
Pleadings	3	(1)
Motions	3	(1)
Discovery	3	(1)
Jury Instructions	3	(1)
The Brief	3	(1)
Writing Style	4	(1)
Citation Form	5	(1)
Communications Skills	6	(3)
Client Interviewing and Counseling	6	(1)
Negotiation	6	(1)
Oral Argument	6	(3)
Learning About the Legal System
The Legal System and Legal Writing	9	(1)
Sources of Law and Their Hierarchy	9	(1)
The Court System	9	(4)
The State Courts	10	(2)
The Federal Courts	12	(1)
The Common Law	13	(1)
Mandatory Authority	13	(1)
Persuasive Authority	14	(1)
The Weight of Authority	14	(1)
Statutes and Their Interpretation	14	(9)
The Supremacy of the Legislature and the Legislative Process	14	(2)
The Relationship Between Statutory Law and Common Law	16	(2)
The Roles of the Court and the Legislature --- An Illustration	18	(5)
How to Brief a Case
What Is a Brief?	23	(1)
Briefing Is Taking Notes	23	(1)
The Purposes of Briefing	23	(1)
How to Brief	24	(10)
The Format	24	(1)
Parts of the Brief	24	(1)
An Exercise	24	(3)
Name of the Case	27	(1)
Citation	27	(1)
Facts of the Case	27	(1)
Procedure	28	(1)
Issue	28	(1)
Holding	29	(1)
Analysis	29	(1)
More Sample Briefs	30	(1)
Problem	31	(3)
Beyond Briefing	34	(3)
Exercise	35	(2)
Introduction to Legal Logic
Introduction	37	(1)
Legal Authority	38	(1)
Mandatory Authority	38	(1)
Persuasive Authority	38	(1)
Arguing Deductively	39	(2)
Limitations	39	(1)
Maximizing Use of Deductive Reasoning	40	(1)
Application	40	(1)
Applying the Law to the Facts	41	(2)
Exercises	42	(1)
Legal Analysis
Introduction	43	(1)
The Basic Approach	43	(1)
An Example of Legal Analysis	44	(4)
Case Analysis	48	(10)
Exercise	57	(1)
Exercise	58	(1)
Statutory Analysis	58	(6)
Exercise	63	(1)
Exercise	64	(1)
Legal Analysis Checklist	64	(3)
Research Strategy
Introduction	67	(1)
Where Do You Start?	67	(18)
Statutes	67	(1)
Treatises	68	(2)
The Restatement of Torts	70	(3)
Legal Encyclopedias	73	(12)
How Many Places Do You Look?	85	(9)
Digests	85	(4)
Computer Research Services	89	(1)
Shepard's	90	(2)
ALR and Legal Periodicals	92	(2)
When Do You Stop?	94	(2)
Look for the Most On-Point Cases First	95	(1)
Stop When You Come Full Circle	95	(1)
Do Not Follow Every Lead	95	(1)
How Do You Keep Track?	96	(1)
Research Checklist	96	(5)
Part II: STYLE AND SUBSTANCE: WRITING THE LEGAL ANALYSIS
Purpose, Context, and Structure
Introduction	101	(1)
Purpose	101	(1)
Context	102	(1)
Structure	102	(7)
Outlining	103	(1)
Exercise	104	(1)
Deciding on a Structural Strategy	105	(1)
Road Maps, Topic Sentences, and Transitions	106	(2)
Exercise	108	(1)
Organizing Within Arguments	108	(1)
Placement of Policy and Equity Arguments	109	(1)
Context and Structure Checklist	109	(2)
Make Your Themes Stand Out
Introduction	111	(1)
Make the Outline of Your Argument or Discussion Stand Out	112	(1)
Put Your Conclusion First	113	(2)
Write Effective Paragraphs	115	(8)
Use Topic Sentences	116	(1)
Write Cohesive Paragraphs	117	(1)
Write Focused Discussion Sections	117	(2)
Avoid Extraneous Sentences	119	(1)
When Necessary, Use Transitions and Repeat Words	120	(1)
Exercise	121	(2)
Help the Reader To Understand You
Introduction	123	(1)
General Advice	123	(9)
Get to the Point	123	(1)
Use Concrete Language	124	(1)
Use the Active Voice	125	(2)
Avoid Legalese	127	(1)
Define Technical Terms	128	(1)
Write in the Appropriate Tone	129	(1)
Exercises	130	(2)
Structure	132	(4)
Write Short Sentences	132	(1)
Put the Parts of Your Sentence in a Logical Order	133	(1)
Avoid Intrusive Phrases and Clauses	134	(1)
Use Full Sentences	135	(1)
Use Parallel Structure	135	(1)
Content	136	(9)
Use Positives Rather Than Negatives	137	(1)
Avoid Ambiguous Words and Phrases	137	(1)
Avoid Colloquialism	138	(1)
Do Not Personalize	138	(1)
Avoid Excessive Variation	139	(1)
Exercises	139	(6)
Part III: PRE-LITIGATION LAWYERING
Meeting the Client
Purpose of the Initial Interview	145	(1)
Planning the Initial Interview	146	(1)
Greeting the Client	146	(1)
Preparatory Explanation	147	(1)
Getting the Client's Perspective	147	(3)
Getting Started	147	(1)
Keeping Track	148	(1)
Getting the Details	148	(1)
Goals and Priorties	149	(1)
Preliminary Assessment of the Client's Problem	150	(1)
Developing Options	150	(1)
Fees	150	(1)
Closing the Interview	151	(2)
Exercise	152	(1)
Client Interview Checklist	153	(2)
Writing the Client Opinion Letter
Introduction	155	(1)
Write in an Appropriate Style	155	(3)
Focus On Your Audience	155	(1)
Be Concrete	155	(2)
Avoid Sounding Colloquial	157	(1)
Avoid Jargon and Stilted Language	157	(1)
Use Correct Spelling and Grammar	158	(1)
Answer the Question	158	(3)
Include Important Facts Provided By the Client	158	(1)
Be Accurate	159	(1)
Explain Your Answer	159	(1)
Do Not Promise What You Cannot Deliver	160	(1)
Address Your Client's Concerns	161	(1)
Tell the Client Where You Are Going	161	(4)
Exercises	162	(3)
Introduction to the Memo
What Is a Memo?	165	(1)
The Purposes of a Memo	165	(1)
The Parts of a Memo	166	(2)
The Heading	167	(1)
The Issue	167	(1)
The Conclusion	167	(1)
The Facts	167	(1)
The Discussion	167	(1)
The Hallmarks of a Well-Written Memo	168	(3)
Thorough Research	168	(1)
Good Judgment	168	(1)
Objective Analysis	168	(1)
Clear Writing Style	168	(1)
Good Organization	169	(1)
Write for the Reader	169	(1)
Precision and Clarity	169	(1)
Creativity	170	(1)
Correct Citation Format	170	(1)
The Memo: Heading, Issue, and Conclusion
The Heading	171	(1)
The Issue	172	(3)
The Conclusion	175	(6)
Exercises	177	(4)
The Memo: Facts and Discussion
Facts	181	(3)
Discussion	184	(3)
Make Your Reasoning Readily Apparent	187	(8)
Avoid the ``Digest'' Approach	188	(1)
Avoid the ``Historical Development of the Law'' Approach	188	(1)
Avoid the Use of Too Many Quotations From Legal Authorities	189	(1)
Avoid the ``Abstract Writing'' Approach	190	(1)
Avoid the ``Law Discussion Only'' Approach	191	(1)
A Good Example	191	(2)
Exercise	193	(2)
Advising the Client
Purpose of the Consultation	195	(1)
The Scenario	195	(2)
Planning the Consultation	197	(1)
Beginning the Consultation	198	(1)
Reaffirming the Client's Goals and Priorities	198	(1)
Developing Options	199	(1)
Likely Consequences	199	(1)
Advantages and Disadvantages	200	(1)
Choosing a Course of Action	200	(2)
Getting Settlement Authority	202	(1)
Exercise	203	(1)
Consultation Checklist	203	(2)
Negotiating
Purposes of Negotiation	205	(1)
Theories of Negotiation	206	(3)
Adversarial Models	206	(1)
Game Theory	206	(1)
Economic	207	(1)
Social-Psychological Bargaining	208	(1)
Problem-solving Negotiation	208	(1)
Styles of Negotiation	209	(1)
Planning for Negotiation	210	(4)
Evaluating the Case	210	(1)
Planning to Exchange Information	211	(1)
Establishing an Opening, Target, and Bottom Line	211	(2)
Analyzing Needs and Interests	213	(1)
Planning for Personalities	213	(1)
Beginning the Negotiation	214	(1)
Information Exchange	214	(1)
Trading	215	(1)
Closing the Negotiation	216	(1)
Negotiation Ethics	216	(1)
Negotiation Checklist	217	(2)
Exercise	218	(1)
Drafting Settlement Agreements
Introduction	219	(1)
The Framework of an Agreement	219	(2)
The Title	220	(1)
The Introduction	220	(1)
The Substance of the Agreement	220	(1)
The Closing	221	(1)
Drafting Clear Language	221	(1)
Exercise	222	(1)
The Release	222	(4)
Exercise	225	(1)
Drafting Checklist	226	(3)
Part IV: PRE-TRIAL LITIGATION
Drafting Pleadings
Introduction	229	(1)
The Purpose and Language of Pleadings	229	(1)
Following Rules	230	(1)
Captions	230	(1)
Exercise	231	(1)
The Complaint	231	(3)
Exercise	233	(1)
The Answer	234	(2)
Exercise	236	(1)
Verifications	236	(3)
Exercise	237	(2)
Discovery
Introduction	239	(1)
Available Forms of Discovery	239	(1)
Formulating Discovery Requests	240	(5)
Interrogatories	241	(1)
Exercise	242	(1)
Requests for Production of Documents	242	(1)
Exercise	243	(1)
Requests for Admission	243	(1)
Exercise	244	(1)
Writing Persuasively
Introduction	245	(1)
Make Your Argument Clear and Credible	246	(1)
Make Your Argument as Simple as Possible	246	(1)
Write in a Persuasive, but Credible Style	246	(1)
Write a Well Organized Argument	247	(1)
Structure Your Argument	247	(1)
Put Your Best Arguments First and Develop Them More Fully	247	(1)
Adopt a Persuasive Writing Style	248	(2)
Be Concrete	248	(1)
When You Want to Emphasize a Word or Idea, Place it at the End of the Sentence	249	(1)
When Appropriate, Use the Same Subject for a Series of Sentences	249	(1)
State Your Facts Persuasively	250	(1)
Make Equity and Policy Arguments	251	(1)
Use Precedent Persuasively	252	(3)
Argue that Adverse Precedent is Consistent with Your Argument	252	(1)
Interpret Precedent Narrowly or Broadly, As Appropriate	252	(3)
Writing Pre-Trial Motions
Purposes of Motions	255	(1)
Form of Motions	255	(1)
Motions to Dismiss	255	(1)
Exercise	256	(1)
Motions to Compel Discovery	256	(1)
Motions for Summary Judgment	257	(1)
Exercise	258	(1)
Ethical Considerations in Motion Practice	258	(1)
Checklist for Motions	259	(4)
Part V: TRIAL AND APPEAL
Drafting Jury Instructions
The Problem With Jury Instructions	263	(1)
How Lawyers Draft Jury Instructions	264	(1)
Simplify the Sentence Structure	265	(1)
Explain or Avoid Legal Terms and Complex Words	266	(1)
Employ a Plain English Writing Style	267	(2)
Use Verbs Instead of Nouns	267	(1)
Favor the Active Voice	268	(1)
Avoid Subordinate Clauses Using the Passive Voice	269	(1)
Stylize the Instructions to Fit Your Case	269	(4)
Exercises	270	(3)
Introduction to Writing Briefs
What Is a Brief?	273	(1)
Procedural Rules for Appellate Briefs	274	(1)
The Parts of a Brief	275	(1)
The Title Page	275	(1)
Table of Contents	275	(1)
Table of Authorities	275	(1)
Jurisdictional Statement	275	(1)
Questions Presented	275	(1)
Constitutional and Statutory Provisions	275	(1)
Statement of Facts	275	(1)
Summary of Argument	276	(1)
Argument	276	(1)
The Hallmarks of a Well-Written Brief	276	(1)
Appellate Process and Standard of Review
Introduction	277	(1)
How Cases Come Up on Appeal	277	(1)
The Record on Appeal	277	(1)
The Standard of Review	278	(2)
Clearly Erroneous	278	(1)
Abuse of Discretion	279	(1)
De Novo Review	279	(1)
The Importance to the Practitioner	280	(1)
Available Forms of Relief	280	(3)
The Appellate Brief: The Introductory Parts
Using the Record	283	(1)
The Title Page	284	(1)
Table of Contents	284	(1)
Table of Authorities	285	(1)
Jurisdictional Statement	285	(1)
Questions Presented	286	(2)
Text of Constitutional, Statutory, and Regulatory Provisions	288	(5)
Exercises	288	(5)
The Appellate Brief: Statement of Facts; Summary of Argument
Statement of Facts	293	(5)
Tell What Happened	294	(1)
Tell the Truth, But Put Your Best Foot Forward	295	(2)
Hold the Court's Attention	297	(1)
Exercise	297	(1)
Summary of Argument	298	(3)
Exercise	298	(3)
The Appellate Brief: Argument and Conclusion
The Argument	301	(12)
Structuring the Argument	301	(1)
Use Headings	301	(1)
How to Write the Headings	302	(2)
Using Headings as an Advocate	304	(1)
How Many Headings?	305	(1)
Final Considerations	305	(1)
Preparing the Substance of the Argument	305	(1)
General Considerations	305	(1)
Understanding the Appellate Process	305	(1)
Familiarity with the Record	305	(1)
Research: Do It Right But Know When to Stop	305	(1)
Compliance with the Rules of Court	306	(1)
Simplicity in Substance and Style	306	(1)
Formulating the Arguments	306	(1)
The Organization and Substance of the Arguments	307	(3)
What to Avoid	310	(1)
Using Precedent	310	(1)
Hierarchy of Precedent	310	(1)
Handling Adverse Precedent	310	(1)
Rebuttal of Opposing Arguments	311	(1)
Parentheticals, String Cites, Signals, Quotations, and Footnotes	312	(1)
Writing Persuasively	312	(1)
Control Tone	312	(1)
The Final Touches	313	(1)
The Conclusion	313	(1)
A Checklist	313	(8)
Exercise	316	(5)
Part VI: THE ORAL ARGUMENT
Basic Principles of Oral Communication
Introduction	321	(1)
Consider the Audience	321	(2)
Do Your Homework	321	(1)
Adapt to Your Audience	322	(1)
Consider the Setting	323	(1)
Study the Physical Surroundings in Advance	323	(1)
Understand the Occasion	323	(1)
Structure Your Argument for Maximum Effect	324	(3)
Structural Strategy	324	(1)
Methods of Proof	324	(1)
Organizational Patterns	325	(1)
Chronological	325	(1)
Cause to Effect	325	(1)
Problem to Solution	325	(1)
Pro vs. Con	326	(1)
Topical	326	(1)
Introductions, Conclusions, and Transitions	326	(1)
Write for Sound Appeal	327	(5)
Useful Tools	327	(1)
Humor	327	(1)
Novelty	328	(1)
Conflict	328	(1)
Suspense	328	(1)
Emphasis	328	(2)
Theme	330	(1)
Language	330	(1)
Rhetorical Questions	330	(1)
Repetition	330	(1)
Imagery	330	(1)
Not So Useful Tools	331	(1)
Apply the Fundamentals of Good Public Speaking	332	(3)
Maintain Eye Contact	332	(1)
Be Heard	332	(1)
Do Not Read	332	(1)
Use Emphasis	332	(1)
Use the Pause	332	(1)
Use Appropriate Gestures	332	(1)
Watch Your Posture	333	(2)
The Appellate Argument
Introduction	335	(1)
The Setting of the Oral Argument	336	(1)
Preparing the Oral Argument	336	(3)
Know the Record	336	(1)
Study the Authorities	336	(1)
Know the Arguments	337	(1)
Outline Your Arguments	337	(1)
Prepare Argument Aids	337	(1)
Rehearse the Argument	338	(1)
Advise the Court and Your Opponent of New Information	338	(1)
The Structure of the Oral Argument	339	(2)
Basic Argument Structure	339	(1)
Rebuttal	340	(1)
Questions From the Judges	341	(1)
Oral Argument Checklist	342
APPENDICES
I. Citation Form	1	(1)
II. Pleadings	1	(1)
III. Client Letters	1	(1)
IV. Memoranda	1	(1)
V. Briefs	1	(1)
VI. Oral Arguments	1	(1)
VII. Grammar and Punctuation	1	(1)
VIII. Settlement Agreements	1
Index