Writing and Analysis in the Law

by Shapo, Helene S.

• ISBN13: 9781566627801
• ISBN10: 156662780X
• Edition: 4th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1999-06-01
• Publisher: FOUNDATION PRESS INC

Table of Contents

Preface	v
Acknowledgments	vii
Introduction to the Legal System and Legal Writing	1	(27)
The Primary Sources of Law	1	(2)
Structure of the Court System in the United State	3	(4)
The Vertical Structure of Our Court System	3	(3)
The System of Courts: The Federal Courts	6	(1)
The Development of the Law Through the Common Law Process	7	(3)
Precedent and Stare Decisis	7	(1)
Binding and Persuasive Authority	8	(1)
State Courts	8	(1)
Federal Courts	9	(1)
Writing About Legal Authority	9	(1)
Stare Decisis and Overruling Decisions	10	(1)
Holding and Dicta	11	(7)
Exercise 1--A	16	(1)
Exercise 1--B	17	(1)
The Weight of Authority	18	(1)
Statutes and the Relationship Between Case Law and Statutes	19	(2)
Exercise 1--C	21	(1)
Citation	21	(7)
Citations to Provide Authority and Bibliography	21	(1)
Citations to Provide Attribution and Avoid Plagiarism	22	(2)
Exercise 1--D	24	(2)
Exercise 1--E	26	(2)
Analyzing Legal Authority Case Law	28	(27)
Introduction	28	(1)
Briefing a Case: Finding the Parts of a Judicial Decision	28	(6)
Facts	29	(1)
Issue(s)	29	(1)
Holding(s)	29	(1)
Reasoning	30	(1)
Policy	30	(1)
Paugh v. City of Seattle	30	(2)
Sample Brief of Paugh v. City of Seattle	32	(2)
Using the Parts of a Judicial Decision	34	(15)
Reasonning by Analogy	34	(1)
Applying Precedent	35	(1)
Issues	35	(1)
Facts	36	(2)
Exercise 2--A	38	(1)
Exercise 2--B	38	(1)
Exercise 2--C	39	(1)
Exercise 2--D	40	(2)
Exercise 2--E	42	(1)
Holding	42	(1)
Exercise 2--F	42	(2)
Reasoning	44	(1)
Policy	44	(1)
Exercise 2--G	45	(2)
Exercise 2--H	47	(2)
Synthesizing Cases	49	(6)
Exercise 2--I	52	(1)
Exercise 2--J	53	(1)
Exercise 2--K	54	(1)
Analyzing Legal Authority: Statutes	55	(20)
Reading the Text of the Statute	55	(2)
Exercise 3--A	57	(1)
Finding the Statutory Issues	57	(4)
Exercise 3--B	57	(1)
Exercise 3--C	58	(2)
Exercise 3--D	60	(1)
Exercise 3--E	60	(1)
Techniques of Statutory Interpretation	61	(14)
Legislative Intent	62	(1)
Plain Meaning	62	(1)
Exercise 3--F	63	(1)
Legislative History	64	(2)
Exercise 3--G	66	(1)
Exercise 3--H	67	(1)
Exercise 3--I	68	(1)
The Canons of Construction	69	(3)
State Decisis and Statutes	72	(1)
Exercise 3--J	72	(2)
Exercise 3--K	74	(1)
Organization of a Legal Discussion: Large--Scale Organization	75	(20)
Introduction	75	(1)
Organizing a Discussion	75	(20)
Overall Organization	75	(1)
Organization Within One Claim--Identifying the Issues	76	(1)
The Court's Opinion Identifies the Elements of a Rule	77	(2)
Exercise 4--A	79	(3)
Exercise 4--B	82	(1)
The Terms of a Statute identify the Elements	82	(1)
Exercise 4--C	83	(1)
Exercise 4--D	84	(1)
A Rule Evolves Over a Series of Cases	85	(2)
Exercise 4--E	87	(1)
The Rule Is Vague and You Must Extract the Factors From an Opinion or a Series of Opinions and Balance Them	88	(4)
Exercise 4--F	92	(1)
Exercise 4--G	93	(2)
Organization of a Legal Discussion: Small--Scale Organization	95	(14)
Introduction	95	(1)
Steps and Organization of a Legal Analysis on a Single Legal Issue Using a Single Case	96	(6)
Paragraph or Paragraphs on the Rule of Law	97	(1)
Paragraph or Paragraphs on Case law	97	(1)
Paragraph or Paragraphs on Application of Precedents	98	(1)
Paragraph or Paragraphs on Presentation and Evaluation of Counterarguments and Legal Conclusion	99	(2)
Exercise 5--A	101	(1)
Case Synthesis in a Legal Analysis of a Single Legal Issue	102	(7)
Exercise 5--B	106	(3)
The Thesis Paragraph	109	(8)
Exercise 6--A	114	(3)
Writing a Legal Document: The Legal Memorandum	117	(18)
Introduction	117	(3)
Purpose of a Memorandum	117	(1)
Audience	117	(1)
Writing Techniques	118	(2)
Format	120	(15)
Staement of Facts	121	(1)
Exercise 7--A	122	(2)
Question Presented	124	(4)
The Short Answer or Conclusion	128	(2)
Exercise 7--B	130	(1)
Applicable Statutes	131	(1)
Discussion	131	(1)
Conclusion	132	(1)
Checklist for Memorandum	132	(3)
The Writing Process	135	(14)
Introduction	135	(1)
Beginning Your Assignment	136	(1)
From Research to Outline	137	(6)
The First Draft: Putting It Down on Paper	143	(3)
Rewriting	146	(3)
Revising Your Organization and Analysis	146	(1)
Revising Sentences	147	(1)
Proofreading	148	(1)
Effective Paragraphs	149	(20)
Introduction	149	(1)
Topic Sentences and Paragraph Unity	149	(5)
Paragraph Transitions	154	(3)
Exercise 9--A	156	(1)
Paragraph Coherence	157	(6)
Paragraph Coherence: Organization	158	(1)
Paragraph Coherence: Sentence Transitions	159	(1)
Transition Words and Coherence	159	(1)
Other Connectors	159	(1)
Overlapping Sentences	160	(1)
Coherence and Complex Sentences	160	(1)
Coherence and the Repetition of Key Words	161	(1)
Exercise 9--B	161	(2)
Paragraph Development	163	(6)
Comparison	163	(1)
Illustration	164	(1)
Classification	165	(1)
Definition	165	(1)
Cause and Effect	166	(1)
Narration and Chronology	167	(1)
Exercise 9--C	168	(1)
Sentence Structure	169	(16)
Whenever Possible, Use Short, Concrete Subjects	171	(1)
Use Short, Active Predicates--Not Nominalizations	171	(1)
Whenever Possible, Use Active Rather Than Passive Voice	172	(1)
To Promote the Main Idea of the Sentence, Do Not Separate the Subject From the Verb With Intruding Phrases and Clauses	173	(1)
Keep Your Sentences Relatively Short (under 25 Words)	174	(1)
Maintain Parallel Sentence Structure (Parallelism)	174	(1)
Avoid Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers	175	(1)
Identify and Punctuate Restrictive and Nonrestrictive Modifiers Correctly	176	(1)
Eliminate Unnecessary Words	177	(1)
Use Quotations Sparingly	178	(1)
Use the Appropriate Tense	179	(1)
Make Your Comparisons Complete and Logical	179	(1)
Check That the Words in Your Sentence Have a Rational Relationship	179	(1)
Select Concrete, Familiar, and Specific Words: Avoid Vagueness and Imprecision	180	(1)
Avoid Jargon, Informal, and Esoteric Language	180	(1)
Avoid Qualifiers and Intensifiers; Do Not Overuse Adjectives and Adverbs	181	(1)
Avoid Sexist Language	181	(4)
Exercise 10--A: Sentence Structure	182	(1)
Exercise 10--B: Sentence Structure	183	(2)
Types of Legal Arguments in Resolving Question of Law	185	(24)
Introduction	185	(1)
Authority Arguments Based on Precedent	186	(4)
Broad and Narrow Interpretation	186	(1)
Extending Precedents to Cover a Gap	187	(1)
Conflicting Lines of Authority	188	(1)
Overruling Precedent	189	(1)
Authority Arguments Based on Statutes	190	(8)
Plain Meaning Analysis	191	(1)
Syntactic Ambiguity	191	(1)
Semantic Uncertainty	192	(2)
Other Sources of Legislative Intent	194	(1)
Statutory Context	195	(1)
Legislative History	196	(1)
Predecessor and Similar Statutes	196	(1)
Regulatory Agencies	197	(1)
Legislative Activity	197	(1)
Canons of Construction	198	(1)
Policy Arguments	198	(5)
Normative Arguments	199	(1)
Economic Arguments	200	(1)
Institutional Competence Arguments	200	(1)
Judicial Administration Arguments	201	(2)
Organizing Levels of Argument in Questions of Law	203	(6)
Exercise 11--A	204	(1)
Exercise 11--B	205	(2)
Exercise 11--C	207	(2)
Research Strategies	209	(19)
Introduction	209	(1)
Practical Considerations	210	(3)
Types of Research Materials	213	(2)
Primary Materials	213	(1)
Secondary materials	214	(1)
Search Materials	214	(1)
The Weight of Authority	214	(1)
Beginning Your Research	215	(7)
Statutory Research	215	(1)
Starting With Known Relevant Citations	215	(1)
Starting With No Research Information	215	(1)
Case Law Research	216	(1)
Starting With Known Relevant Citations	216	(1)
Starting With No Research Information	217	(2)
Using Computer--Assisted Legal Research (CALR)	219	(3)
Tailoring Your Research	222	(3)
Researching Federal Law	222	(2)
Researching the Law of One State	224	(1)
Doing Your Research	225	(3)
Exercise 12--A	226	(2)
Interviewing the Client	228	(11)
Introduction	228	(3)
Goals of the Interview	231	(1)
Preparation for the Interview	232	(1)
The Interview	233	(2)
The Memo to the File	235	(4)
Exercise 13--A	238	(1)
Counseling the Client	239	(8)
Roles of the Lawyer and the Client	239	(2)
Preparation for Counseling	241	(3)
Exercise 14--A	243	(1)
Structure of the Counseling Meeting	244	(1)
Techniques of Counseling	245	(2)
Exercise 14--B	246	(1)
Letter Writing	247	(27)
Analyzing the Rhetorical Context	248	(5)
Audience	248	(1)
Purpose	249	(1)
Writing Strategies	250	(1)
Writer's Persona	250	(1)
Tone	251	(1)
Treatment of Law and Facts	252	(1)
Organizational Concerns	253	(1)
Letters	253	(21)
Opinion or Advice Letters	253	(1)
The Introductory Paragraph	254	(1)
The Facts	255	(2)
Legal Analysis	257	(1)
Recommendations	258	(1)
Closing paragraph	259	(1)
Letters to an Adversary	259	(1)
The Opening	260	(1)
Factual and Legal Summary	260	(1)
Closing	260	(2)
Letters to Third Parties	262	(2)
Transmittal Letters	264	(1)
Exercise 15--A	265	(2)
Exercise 15--B	267	(6)
Exercise 15--C	273	(1)
Writing to the Court: An Introduction to Advocacy	274	(12)
Introduction	274	(2)
The Purpose of Trial and Appellate Briefs	274	(1)
Court Rules	275	(1)
Advocacy	276	(6)
Audience	276	(1)
Persuasion	277	(1)
Ethics	277	(1)
Emotion	278	(1)
Reason	278	(2)
Choosing Precedent	280	(1)
The Theory of the Case	281	(1)
Principles of Style	282	(4)
Achieving Tone	282	(1)
Diction	282	(1)
Context	283	(1)
Sentence Structure	284	(1)
Quotations	284	(2)
The Trial Brief: Memorandum of Law in Support of or in Opposition to a Motion	286	(12)
Introduction	286	(1)
The Essentials of a Memorandum of Law	287	(2)
Audience	287	(1)
Governing Rules	288	(1)
Purpose of the Motion	288	(1)
Format of a Memorandum in Support of or in Opposition to a Motion	289	(1)
Caption and Title	290	(1)
Format of a Memorandum in Support of or in Opposition to a Motion---Continued
Introduction	290	(1)
Exercise 17--A	291	(1)
Exercise 17--B	292	(1)
Statement of Facts	292	(2)
Exercise 17--C	294	(1)
Question Presented (Statement of Issues)	294	(1)
Exercise 17--D	295	(1)
Argument	295	(1)
Exercise 17--E	296	(1)
Conclusion	297	(1)
Writing the Appellate Brief	298	(72)
Introduction	298	(6)
Selection Issues for Appeal	298	(1)
Standard of Review	299	(2)
Choosing Arguments in Support of an Issue	301	(1)
Ordering Issues	302	(2)
Format of an Appellate Brief: Introductory Information	304	(1)
Title Page	304	(1)
Table of Contents	304	(1)
Table of Authorities	304	(1)
Question (s) Presented	305	(6)
Exercise 18--A	309	(2)
The Statement of the Case	311	(14)
The Opening Paragraph or Paragraphs	312	(1)
Developing the Facts	313	(1)
Organization	313	(1)
The Narrative Approach	314	(1)
Persuasive Writing Techniques	315	(4)
The Closing Paragraph	319	(1)
Exercise 18--B	320	(5)
Summmary of the Argument	325	(5)
Exercise 18--C	327	(3)
Point Headings	330	(8)
Organizing Headings in Outline Form	331	(1)
Exercise 18--D	332	(1)
Writing Persuasive Headings	333	(4)
Exercise 18--E	337	(1)
The Argument	338	(24)
Introduction	338	(2)
Writing a Persuasive Thesis Paragraph	340	(3)
Exercise 18--F	343	(2)
Synthesizing the Law and Precedents From Your Client's Perspective	345	(1)
Applying Law to Fact	345	(3)
Exercise 18--G	348	(1)
Exercise 18--H	348	(1)
Exercise 18--I	349	(2)
Questions of Law	351	(2)
Arguing Your Facts	353	(1)
Emphasize Favorable Facts	353	(1)
Minimize Unfavorable Facts	354	(1)
Exercise 18--J	354	(2)
Rebutting Opposing Arguments and Authority	356	(5)
Exercise 18--K	361	(1)
Conclusion	362	(1)
The Appellee's Brief	362	(8)
Exercise 18--L	364	(4)
Editing Checklist	368	(2)
Oral Argument	370	(75)
Preparing the Argument	370	(1)
Selecting the Arguments	371	(1)
Introduction and Argument	372	(1)
Questions by the Court	373	(2)
Citation of Authority	375	(1)
Speaking Style	375	(1)
Prayer for Relief	376	(1)
APPENDICES
A. Grammar, Punctuation, and Quotation	377	(12)
Exercise A--1: Grammar and Punctuation	385	(2)
Exercise A--2: Grammar and Punctuation	387	(1)
Exercise A--3: Review Exercise---Coherence, Grammar, and Style	387	(2)
B. Introduction to Citation Form	389	(17)
Bluebook Exercises	403	(3)
C. Sample Office Memorandum	406	(5)
D. Sample Office Memorandum	411	(6)
E. Sample Memorandum in Support of a Motion	417	(9)
F. Sample Appellate Brief	426	(19)
Index	445